REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1921. 21 
The present tendency of museums to aid-in the appreciation of the 
art of music, as evidenced by the lecture-recitals and concerts, now 
forming a regular feature in many museums of the country, makes it 
incumbent upon the National Museum to administer this collection 
so as best to benefit the public. The Museum has already a large 
and diversified collection of the musical instruments of both aborigi- 
nal and civilized peoples, exhibited under such conditions at present, 
however, that its true value can not be appreciated. It is expected 
that a better installation can be provided when more space becomes 
available which will undoubtedly lead to additional contributions 
needed to fill existing gaps. 
VISITORS. 
As customary the Museum exhibition halls were open free to the 
public from 9 a. m. to 4.30 p. m. on all week days during the year 
(holidays included), with one exception. On May 21, 1921, the 
various Museum buildings were closed all day out of respect to the 
late Chief Justice Edward: Douglass White, for 10 years a Regent 
and for 8 years the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution. 
The Natural History Building was also opened to visitors every 
Sunday afternoon from 1.30 to 4.30. To accommodate strangers in 
Washington at inaugural time, this was extended on Sunday, March 
6, to all-day service. The exhibition halls in the Smithsonian 
Building were likewise open on Sunday afternoon, March 27, to 
afford added opportunity for inspecting the collection of exquisite 
water-color paintings of wild flowers by Mrs. C. D. Walcott. Sun- 
day opening of all the buildings, though highly desirable, will only 
be possible when funds are available to provide additional watch- 
men and other attendants required. 
The number of visitors to the Natural History Building during 
the year aggregated 364,281 for week days and 103,018 for Sundays, 
being a daily average of 1,167 for the former and 1,981 for the 
latter. At the Arts and Industries Building the total attendance 
was 286,397, a daily average of 917. The Aircraft Building, opened 
to the public for the first time on October 7, 1920 (though subse- 
quently closed from October 14 to November 3, to permit of the 
installation of a naval airplane) had an attendance of 31,235, an 
average of 147 persons daily. The total attendance in the Smith- 
sonian Building on week days was 90,097, an average of 288, and on 
the one Sunday 138. 
The following tables show, respectively, the attendance of visitors 
during each month of the past year, and for each year since 1881, 
when the building devoted to arts and industries was first occupied. 
