The legacy of James Smithson: a national university, public library or observatory for "increasing and spreading knowledge"
James Smithson died June 27, 1829 in Italy and bequeathed all his property to the people of the United States of America, a country in which he had never been, and wished that an institution, a national university, a public library or an observatory for the " increase and spread of knowledge ".
In 1836, the inheritance was taken by the United States and amounted, literally, to 11 boxes containing 104,960 gold sovereigns, 8 shillings and 7 pence, a collection of minerals, a library and a scientific archive. After melting gold, its value was $ 500,000.
August 10, 1846, after ten years of debate over how best to use the legacy of James Smithson, the US Congress decided to open the Smithsonian Institution. This is the first institution from the system of scientific and museum centers, which now includes 19 museums, galleries and libraries around the world.
Now - the largest museum complex in the world. He has close ties with other 168 museums in 39 states, Panama and Puerto Rico, where the Smithsonian Institution transferred the exhibits on a long-term lease.
Every year, the Smithsonian Institution conducts many traveling exhibitions - in particular, in 2008 it held 58 exhibitions in 510 US cities. All museums of the Smithsonian Institution annually visit more than thirty million people, are free and are funded from both a special fund and the US government.
In 1901, the remains of James Smithson himself, brought from England, were buried in the central building of the Smithsonian Institution, which today is the information center for everyone who visits the museum.
In 1836, the inheritance was taken by the United States and amounted, literally, to 11 boxes containing 104,960 gold sovereigns, 8 shillings and 7 pence, a collection of minerals, a library and a scientific archive. After melting gold, its value was $ 500,000.
August 10, 1846, after ten years of debate over how best to use the legacy of James Smithson, the US Congress decided to open the Smithsonian Institution. This is the first institution from the system of scientific and museum centers, which now includes 19 museums, galleries and libraries around the world.
Photo © jnsm.com.ua
Now - the largest museum complex in the world. He has close ties with other 168 museums in 39 states, Panama and Puerto Rico, where the Smithsonian Institution transferred the exhibits on a long-term lease.
Every year, the Smithsonian Institution conducts many traveling exhibitions - in particular, in 2008 it held 58 exhibitions in 510 US cities. All museums of the Smithsonian Institution annually visit more than thirty million people, are free and are funded from both a special fund and the US government.
In 1901, the remains of James Smithson himself, brought from England, were buried in the central building of the Smithsonian Institution, which today is the information center for everyone who visits the museum.
