December 27, 1904. Industrialist Charles Lang Freer arranges to donate his vast collection Asian art to the nation, He also promises to construct a building to house it, since the nation’s attic is filling up fast. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 27, 1904

December 26, 1972. The first volume of first Smithsonian Secretary Joseph Henry’s papers is published. The 11th and last volume will not be published for another 35 years. And you thought clearing out your desk was a task. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 26, 1972

December 25, 1895. A complete set of Smithsonian publications is deposited in the library of Pembroke College, Oxford. Not by Santa, we assume. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 25, 1895

December 24, 1949. The Smithsonian parties like it’s 1949. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 24, 1949

December 23, 1981. Congress orders the first appropriation of funds for the construction of the Quad, a massive underground museum complex behind the Smithsonian Castle. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 23, 1981

December 22, 1976. The first comprehensive exhibition of American artist John White Alexander opens at the National Collection of Fine Arts. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 22, 1976

December 21, 1846. Joseph Henry takes up his duties as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. He has no time to comb his hair first. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 21, 1846

December 20, 1980. One of the few gray seal pups to have been born and survive in captivity is born at the Zoo. He is named Grendel after the monster in “Beowulf” for reasons that are inscrutable to us. Look at that face! Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 20, 1980

December 19, 2010. Scott Miller is named Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 19, 2010