Nov
07

Smithsonian 175 Oral History Project

The way we were, the way we are, and the way forward.

Part of a series of pictures depicting Frances Densmore at the Smithsonian Institution in 1916 during a recording session with Blackfoot chief Mountain Chief for the Bureau of American Ethnology. Library of Congress caption: "Piegan Indian, Mountain Chief, listening to recording with ethnologist Frances Densmore, 2/9/1916." National Geographic caption: "This 1916 image of Frances Densmore and Blackfoot leader Mountain Chief listening to a cylinder recording has become a symbol of the early songcatcher era."
Part of a series of pictures depicting Frances Densmore at the Smithsonian Institution in 1916 during a recording session with Blackfoot chief Mountain Chief for the Bureau of American Ethnology. Library of Congress caption: “Piegan Indian, Mountain Chief, listening to recording with ethnologist Frances Densmore, 2/9/1916.” National Geographic caption: “This 1916 image of Frances Densmore and Blackfoot leader Mountain Chief listening to a cylinder recording has become a symbol of the early songcatcher era.”

In 2021, the Smithsonian marked a significant milestone when we celebrated our 175th anniversary. On August 10, 1846, the U.S. Senate passed the act organizing the Smithsonian Institution. As we continue to commemorate this foundational event, it is important to both look back at where we have been and look ahead to what is on the horizon. I invite you to join us for a series of events this coming year that explore our history and imagine the Institution’s next 175 years.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​The Smithsonian’s evolution into the largest museum, education, and research complex in the world was possible thanks to the staff’s hard work—those who built our buildings, cared for our collections, greeted our visitors, kept our spaces clean and safe, taught students of all ages, organized our library books, uncovered new galaxies in our skies, paid our bills, planted our gardens, and did many other jobs that are often unknown to the public.

I had no idea about the breadth of the work done here. I was invited by the Smithsonian Secretary at the time, S. Dillon Ripley, to meet with him. Wearing jeans and my army officer jacket with a Beatles patch on the sleeve and having little knowledge about the museum world, he nonetheless offered me a job as an education specialist at the National Air and Space Museum. I thought, “I’m a 19th-century historian, what do I know about aeronautics?” Then he told me what the pay was going to be, about four times what I was making at the time, and I said, “I guess I’ll work at the Air and Space Museum!”

​​​​​​​I know that all of you have your own stories about how you got here, why you do what you do, and what the Smithsonian means to you. To truly understand our 175-year history, I invite all members of the Smithsonian community to share your memories—anecdotes, photos, challenges, favorite coworkers—as well as your dreams for the future of the Smithsonian. As a historian, I can think of no better way to describe what this place means to future generations than to hear from the people who have brilliantly realized James Smithson’s vision.

—Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III

Smithsonian wants all members of the Smithsonian community to share their memories and dreams for SI.  The SI 175th Oral History Working Group has created this online portal in SharePoint, accessible to community members with a network login, such as SmithsonJ@si.edu. There are several ways you can participate: with a short reminiscence, a photo and caption, longer interviews between two people, in a Word, audio or video file.  Explore the various options below and follow the instructions to contribute your favorite stories and what kind of Smithsonian you hope will be here in our 200th in 2046. ​​​​​​​

If you are unable to access the video below, please visit Smithsonian Memories to view it and learn more about sharing your own story.

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Posted: 7 November 2022
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.