REPORT OF NATIOXAI. MUSEUM, 1921. 21 



The present tendency" of museums to aid in the appreciation of the 

 art of music, as evidenced by the lecture-recitals and concerts, now 

 forming a regular feature in many museums of the country, makes it 

 incumbent upon the National Museum to administer this collection 

 so as best to benefit the public. The Museum has already a large 

 and diversified collection of the musical instruments of both aborigi- 

 nal and civilized peoples, exhibited under such conditions at present, 

 however, that its true value can not be appreciated. It is expected 

 that a better installation can be provided when more space becomes 

 available which will undoubtedly lead to additional contributions 

 needed to fill existing gaps. 



VISITORS. 



As customary the Museum exhibition halls were open free to the 

 public from 9 a. m. to 4.30 p. m. on all week days during the year 

 (holidays included), with one exception. On May 21, 1921, the 

 various Museum buildings were closed all day out of respect to the 

 late Chief Justice Edward Douglass White, for 10 years a Regent 

 and for 8 years the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution. 



The Natural History Building was also opened to visitors every 

 Sunday afternoon from 1.30 to 4.30. To accommodate strangers in 

 Washington at inaugural time, this was extended on Sunday, March 

 6, to all-dav service. The exhibition halls in the Smithsonian 

 Building were likewise open on Sunday afternoon, March 27, to 

 afford added opportunity for inspecting the collection of exquisite 

 water-color paintings of wild flowers by Mrs. C. D. Walcott. Sun- 

 day opening of all the buildings, though highly desirable, will only 

 be possible when funds are available to provide additional watch- 

 men and other attendants required. 



The number of visitors to the Natural History Building during 

 the year aggregated 364,281 for week days and 103,018 for Sundays, 

 being a daily average of 1,167 for the former and 1,981 for the 

 latter. At the Arts and Industries Building the total attendance 

 was 286,397. a daily average of 917. The xVircraft Building, opened 

 to the public for the first time on October 7, 1920 (though subse- 

 quently closed from October 14 to November 3, to permit of the 

 installation of a naval airplane) had an attendance of 31,235. an 

 average of 147 persons daily. The total attendance in the Smith- 

 sonian Building on week days was 90,097, an average of 288, and on 

 the one Sunday 138. 



The following tables show, respectively, the attendance of visitors 

 during each month of the past year, and for each year since 1881, 

 when the building devoted to arts and industries was first occupied. 



