Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

A Century of Weather and Crop Service

Go back to 1849 when Joseph Henry, as the first Smithsonian Secretary, pioneered the nation's weather mapping network. See weather maps and measuring devices from then to now.

June 1, 1972 – December 31, 1972

American History Museum

"Pop" Hart Prints

Hart's prints portray the ordinary people he met in a live 'on the road' from his Illinois birthplace to Tahiti.

September 1, 1972 – February 28, 1973

American History Museum

See ballot boxes, taxpayer lists, and Suffragette manifestos, as well as cartoons, posters and clothing, that trace the history of voting rights as they have been extended to the landless, soldiers, blacks, women, Indians, and 18-year-olds.

September 1, 1972 – March 31, 1973

American History Museum

Art and Physics

See Astralites and other light sculptures by Washington artist Adam Peiperl.

December 1, 1972 – March 31, 1973

American History Museum

Mutoscopes

See 3 mutoscopes, hand-cranked at a 5-cent charge.

July 1, 1972 – April 30, 1973

American History Museum

The Copernican Century 1450-1550

Visit Renaissance science, technology and culture with 15th-century astronomical instruments on loan from the University of Cracow, along with other instruments relating to Christopher Columbus, printing, and cultural history.

April 7, 1973 – April 30, 1973

American History Museum

New Zealand - A Nation's History in Stamps

See an exhibition from the Postal Administration of New Zealand.

April 1, 1973 – June 4, 1973

American History Museum

Chaim Goldberg's Shtetl

See paintings, drawings, and prints by the artist on his childhood in a Polish-Jewish community.

March 1, 1973 – June 15, 1973

American History Museum

Fourth of July

Objects and music set the mood of the holiday; a color slide presentation guides the visitor to exhibits of interest inside the museum.

July 1, 1973 – August 15, 1973

American History Museum

Mrs. Julian James

See examples of the contributions (her gift founded the costume collection) of this early Smithsonian benefactress, such as silver, jewelry, and furniture.

August 1, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum

Fire Fighting Memorbilia

From the Division of Transportation come examples of equipment used by fire fighters in parades, such as torches and hats.

August 1, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum

Geometric Models

See 3-dimensional paper or plastic models from the collection of A. Harry Wheeler, teacher and professor in Worcester, MA.

August 1, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum

Women in Politics

The role of women is traced from supportive to active, through the suffrage struggle to current activities.

August 1, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum

Shaving Through the Ages

Trace the history of shaving from the shark's teeth used by cavemen to the razors used today.

June 4, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum

Baskets

View 19th century woven baskets, some of them patented, made of a variety of materials.

August 1, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum

If We're So Good, Why Aren't We Better?

Enjoy a delightful and instructive encounter with America's pursuit of productivity.

December 20, 1972 – September 7, 1973

American History Museum

Labor Day

Highlight the history of the Labor Movement with slides of machines that show the difference between manual and machine-driven production.

August 1, 1973 – September 30, 1973

American History Museum

Glass-Enclosed Beehive

The queen bee is circled in red in the observation beehive, an annual warm-weather exhibit.

June 1, 1973 – September 30, 1973

American History Museum

Polish Graphic Arts

View 12 posters celebrating the 500th anniversary of Copernicus' birth.

April 6, 1973 – October 15, 1973

American History Museum

Firearms

See a display of firearms, both hand and shoulder guns, used in target shooting.

October 1, 1973 – October 31, 1973

American History Museum

Coal Miner's Safety Lamps

See examples of acetylene gas lamps used by coal miners from 1890-1954.

October 1, 1973 – October 31, 1973

American History Museum

Metal Work

See examples of the works of Keyser Brothers' metal workers and iron craftsmen of Philadelphia, and examples of their tools.

October 1, 1973 – October 31, 1973

American History Museum

19th Century Wood Type

See some 30 examples of wood type which was used in the 19th century along with advertising from the job printer's trade.

October 1, 1973 – October 31, 1973

American History Museum

The Polar Quest

Discover highlights of U.S. Arctic exploration from 1850-1900.

November 1, 1973 – November 30, 1973

American History Museum

Fine Art for Everyone: The Chromolithography of Louis Prang, 1865-1900

See about 20 chromolithographs by Louis Prant of Boston that illustrate an inexpensive, popular method of reproduction of the 19th century.

July 1, 1973 – December 31, 1973

American History Museum