REPORT OF THE SECRETARY - 21 



MEETINGS AND RECEPTIONS 



The lecture rooms and auditorium were used during the past 

 year for 118 meetings, covering the usual wide range of activities. 

 Full report on these will be found in the report of the United States 

 National Museum, separately published. 



CHANGES IN EXHIBITIONS 



Following renovation of the Aircraft Building as a safeguard 

 against fire, the collections in aeronautics were rearranged and the 

 building was opened once more to the public. In the Arts and 

 Industries Building a new case was constructed for the Star- 

 Spangled Banner, the case being one of the largest in the Museum, 

 displaying the entire union of this important flag. The new instal- 

 lation has proved most attractive, making this historic emblem one of 

 the dominating features of the north hall, where it shows to great 

 advantage. The naval collection shown formerly in the rotunda of 

 the Natural History Building was transferred in the late winter and 

 early spring to the northwest court of the Arts and Industries Build- 

 ing, this move bringing all of the historical collections together. 



As another major feature in connection with the historical series, 

 the Ferris collection of paintings was installed in specially built 

 alcoves along the south side of the costumes hall. Here they make 

 a most attractive display with specially arranged lighting. The 

 paintings have been placed behind glass for protection. 



The historical relics concerning George Washington were all as- 

 sembled in the north hall, where they are shown more conveniently 

 and attractively for visitors during the Bicentennial celebration. 

 For the period of the Bicentennial a special exhibition, principally 

 of statuary, was installed in the National Gallery of Art, with exten- 

 sion into the rotunda of the Natural History Building. The greater 

 part of the foyer was allotted also for a temporary exhibit of the 

 National Capital Park and Planning Commission dealing with the 

 development of the city of Washington. 



EXPLORATIONS AND FIELD WORK 



Investigations in the field have included researches concerned with 

 man, with fossil creatures of many kinds, and with various phases of 

 living animal and plant life. The work has been carried on mainly 

 through grants from the Smithsonian Institution, assisted by contri- 

 butions from individuals, while certain projects were financed 

 through the income of special funds under jurisdiction of the Smith- 

 sonian. A brief account of field work for the present year follows. 



