2 Als^NUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITIITION, 1954 



implements, but duplicate or near duplicate articles have been moved 

 from their old cluttered cases in the public exhibition rooms to well- 

 organized study collections. 



Excellent progress also was made in preparing a new hall in which 

 the dresses of the First Ladies of the ^Vliite House can be properly 

 displayed. This is an exhibit that is much appreciated by our many 

 women visitors. 



If progress in the modernization program comparable to that made 

 during the present year can be continued for nine years, it will be 

 possible to transform entirely the outmoded, inadequate, and all too 

 often uninstructive features of the Smithsonian exhibitions so that 

 they can all be seen in a modern suitable setting. 



Building Plans Gain Momentum 



Much of the year has also been devoted to preliminary planning 

 tor the new buildings that are so urgently needed to make all our 

 museums here at the Smithsonian comparable to the national mu- 

 seums of other great nations. At the annual meeting of the Board 

 of Regents last year consideration was given to the further develop- 

 ment of plans for these buildings. The studies that had been made 

 in recent years were reviewed. At the direction of the Board, and 

 with the help of our staff, we are continuing the work on this impor- 

 tant problem. 



It becomes increasingly clear that the scientific and scholarly re- 

 search of the Institution, as well as its museum functions, cannot be 

 adequately served without the erection of not one but three new build- 

 ings. One of these must house in a suitable and modern way our 

 iinequaled collections in American history and in applied science and 

 technology. Another must properly provide for the National Air 

 Museum. The third proposed required building is a new gallery for 

 the National Collection of Fine Arts. 



A few words about ])lans for each of these buildings may be ap- 

 propriate here. 



This year much progress was made in developing detailed specifica- 

 tions for the new Museum of History and Technology, and an illus- 

 trated booklet descriptive of the needs of this building was assembled. 

 The Bureau of the Budget allowed the Institution to request the Con- 

 gress to authorize planning for this building. Legislation looking to 

 this end was introduced in the Senate by Senator Edward Martin, 

 chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works. Tliis bill was 

 passed by the Senate. A similar bill was introduced in the House of 

 Representatives by Congressman George A. Dondero, chairman of the 

 House Committee on Public Works. This bill was not brought to the 

 floor. In preparing this legislation and in its consideration by the 



