150 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1916. 



industry. The exhibits illustrating textile industry and mineral 

 technology in particular are very complete, consisting of specimens 

 of raw materials, machinery used in manufacture, and the finished 

 products. 



The division of history has likewise greatly broadened in recent 

 years. Here are displayed memorials of many leading American 

 soldiers and sailors, inventors, explorers, and men of science, and 

 memorials of important events in American history. A collection 

 of costumes worn by ladies of the White House during each admin- 

 istration since 1789 is of much popular interest. Among other 

 objects of historic value are large collections of postage stamps, 

 coins, and medals. 



The Museum has been defined as one of record, of research, and of 

 education. As a Museum of record it preserves the very foundations 

 of an enormous amount of scientific knowledge in the many thou- 

 sands of type specimens from numerous natural-history investiga- 

 tions, and these are increasing rapidly as the results of new re- 

 searches and explorations are here permanently deposited. As a 

 Museum of research the collections serve as a stimulus to inquiry 

 and the foundation for further investigation. The installation of 

 exhibits is carefully planned to make the Museum an aid to public 

 education. Every kind of natural object and every manifestation 

 of human thought and activity are illustrated by specimens accom- 

 panied by general and descriptive labels. Races of men are illus- 

 trated by groups of figures in their native costumes, many of them 

 represented in their daily occupations; mammals, birds, and other 

 zoological specimens are each assembled in groups with natural sur- 

 roundings. In every exhibition hall the educational feature is con- 

 stantly kept in mind. 



It is " a consultative library of objects," an agency for the instruc- 

 tion of all the people of the country, " and it keeps in mind the needs 

 of those whose lives are not occupied in the study of science as well 

 as those of the professional investigator and teacher." 



THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART. 



The foundation of a National Gallery of Art was contemplated 

 and directed in the act of organization of the Institution in 1816 

 and in the program of operation adopted by the Board of Re- 

 gents in 1817. It was several years, however, before the gallery Avas 

 in active operation. The national gallery received very great stimu- 

 lus in 1906 through the bequest of Harriet Lane Johnston, niece of 

 President Buchanan; the munificent gift of Mr. Charles L. Freer, 

 and the gift of Mr. William T. Evans, thus bringing into national 

 ownership a very rich collection of paintings and other objects of 



