Report of the Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution 



LEONARD CARMICHAEL 

 For the Year Ended June 30, 1956 



To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: 



Gentlemex: I have the honor to submit a report showing the 

 activities and condition of the Smithsonian Institution and its 

 branches for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1956. 



GENERAL STATEMENT 



Botanists have learned in their study of the rings in the cross sec- 

 tions of trees that all years are not equally favorable for growth. 

 When sun and moisture are just right, development is best. In the 

 life of the Smithsonian Institution, the one hundred and tenth ring, 

 which is covered by this report, shows what is probably an unparal- 

 leled period of healthy growth in this old and honored institution. 



Museum of History and Technology Assured 



Last year it was possible to report that $2,288,000 had been appro- 

 priated to plan the already authorized new Museum of History and 

 Technology building for the Smithsonian. This year the additional 

 $33,712,000 has been appropriated to make possible the building of 

 this great and most urgently needed, new museum structure. 



The established site for this building is an admirable one. It is in 

 the Mall area of the Capital, near other Smithsonian buildings, and 

 is bounded on the north by Constitution Avenue, on the east by 12th 

 Street, on the south by Madison Drive, and on the west by 14th Street. 

 It is expected that the construction of the foundation of the building 

 will begin in the spring of 1957, and it is hoped that the building will 

 be completed in 1960. 



The Smithsonian Eegents selected the New York firm of McKim, 

 Mead & White as architects for the building. Under its direction 

 the development of the necessarily elaborate plans for the structure is 

 progressing in a most promising manner. These plans are being 

 worked out so as to meet the requirements for the new building 

 that have been set bv the staff of the Smithsonian Institution on the 



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