An Illustrated History of the Smithsonian Building. In this book, we look back over the years of building's existence, which are roughly equivalent to the age of the Institution itself, as we begin to look forward to the Smithsonian's sesquicentennial. Through analysis of the nearly two hundred images in the book, we try to make the pictures elucidate the history of the building by illustrating how the changes reflected institutional growth. In other ways as well, the book also presages the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian Building itself represents the Smithsonian's mission, as identified by the 150th Program Committee guidelines, to enrich people's lives through education and outreach.
Early woodcuts show the library and reading room in the West Wing and Range.
A succession of lecture halls has been documented, two in the East Wing and one in the center of the building where the Woodrow Wilson Center is now. The slow but steady metamorphosis from exhibition to the provision of public information services can be seen in the changing appearance of the major public spaces such as the Great Hall. The very format of this book reflects the Smithsonian's historic interpretation of this mission. General interest readers can easily find out the explanations for images that capture their interest in the text conveniently located adjacent to all pictures.