The Smithsonian: 150 Years of Adventure, Discovery, and Wonder
Books / Hardcover
Books › History › United States › General
ISBN: 0679441751 / Publisher: Knopf, October 1995
A celebration of the Smithsonian Institution chronicles the 1846 settlement of British chemist James Smithson's will and the institution's monumental growth that encompasses such subdivisions as the National Air and Space Museum
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In 1835, Englishman James Smithson, illegitimate son of a duke, bequeathed the equivalent of some $6.75 million to the US government "to found at Washington... an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge." This lush commemorative volume describes the museum's history, influential characters, and fascinating collections which range from five of Stradivari's stringed instruments, priceless paintings, and a brood of baby Komodo dragons to the Hope Diamond and Mamie Eisenhower's pink shoes. Full of color photographs, paintings, maps, prints, anecdotes, and profiles. 9x11". Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
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