Mar
12

Today in Smithsonian History: March 12, 1853

The first Secretary of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry (1846-1878) and family lived in the East Wing of the Smithsonian Institution Building. The Music Room of the Henry apartments is furnished with Rococo Revival and wicker furniture. The bust of George Washington can be seen on the far right. Photo by Titan Ramsey Peale, 1862, from "The Castle: An Illustrated History of the Smithsonian Building" by Cynthia R. Field, Richard E. Stamm, and Heather P. Ewing

The first Secretary of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry (1846-1878) and family lived in the East Wing of the Smithsonian Institution Building. The Music Room of the Henry apartments is furnished with Rococo Revival and wicker furniture. The bust of George Washington can be seen on the far right. Photo by Titan Ramsey Peale, 1862, from “The Castle: An Illustrated History of the Smithsonian Building” by Cynthia R. Field, Richard E. Stamm, and Heather P. Ewing.

March 12, 1853 Alterations are ordered for the east wing of the Smithsonian Institution Building (the Castle) so that it can be used as a residence for the first Smithsonian Secretary, Joseph Henry, and his family.

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Posted: 12 March 2019
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