SECRETARY'S REPORT 5 



mode of life of Americans during the early years of the country, and 

 the pottery, weapons, insignia, tools, and trade objects of our young 

 nation are now much better understood than they were 10 years ago. 



One of the prime reasons for the vast increase in the number of visi- 

 tors at the Smithsonian museums has been the development that has 

 taken place in this decade in the presentation of exhibits. It is not 

 by chance that the number of visitors in the old Smithsonian buildings 

 on the Mall in 1952-53 totaled 3,429,000, whereas the number in 1963 

 reached the amazing figure of 10,309,000. Since 1953, 28 large exhi- 

 bition unit^ have been transformed from halls full of poorly lighted 

 cases crammed with objects to well-labeled, modern, teaching ex- 

 hibits. It is not an exaggeration to say that the truly creative work 

 of the exhibit staff of the Smithsonian has become famous, not only in 

 every other great museum of America but also in all the large museums 

 in the rest of the world. 



A few additional notes may be made concerning developments in 

 particular areas of interest : 



The Institution has long had one of the great collections of musical 

 instruments of the country. Unfortunately, most of these were not 

 in condition to be played and were not easily viewed. Many of the 

 most important have been restored and can now be played. Some of 

 them have been used in concerts provided free for the public by volun- 

 teer musicians. A scientific analytical laboratory has been established 

 at the Smithsonian, and here physical and chemical techniques are now 

 employed in the important task of providing better methods for pro- 

 tecting and conserving the treasures of the Smithsonian. During this 

 decade the Wliite House has been generally renovated. Under the 

 direction of the President of the United States and the staff of the 

 Wliite House, the Smithsonian has played a role in the developm.ent 

 of exhibits of the histoiy of the White House as now displayed in the 

 visitor's entrance to this historic center of our Nation. An act of Con- 

 gress, passed in 1961, provided that objects not needed for use or dis- 

 play at any time at the Wliite House are to be transferred to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. 



Annual reports of the Smithsonian list the splendid donations that 

 come to the Institution in each 12-month period. Among the espe- 

 cially notable gifts of the decade may be mentioned the following : 



President John F. Kennedy presented a magnificent volume, the 

 "Atlas Nouveau" by Nicolas Sanson, 1692, beautifully bound for the 

 instruction of the Dauphin of France. 



Mrs. Arthur M. Greenwood gave many objects illustrating American 

 colonial living, including an entire two-story, four-bedroom house 

 built in Massachusetts in 1678. 



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