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100% Complete
76 Total pages
19 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Reports 1891 - 1896
There are unconfirmed stories about the lengths to which U.S. Army officer and later honorary curator Charles Bendire had gone in his avocation as a soldier-ornithologist. One such story has him collecting birds eggs from a nest while under fire from Apache Indians. Putting aside these tales, his skill as an ornithologist and oologist was highly regarded by professional ornithologists like Robert Ridgway, Chief Curator of the United States National Museum's Division of Birds. Please help us transcribe Bendire's annual reports of the work in the Oology (eggs) section from the years 1891 - 1896.
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USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Report 1890 - 1891
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USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Report 1891 - 1892
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USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Report 1892 - 1893
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USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Report 1893 - 1894
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USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Report 1894 - 1895
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USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds - Eggs: Annual Report 1895 - 1896
100% Complete
105 Total pages
14 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Birds: Annual and Monthly Reports 1893 - 1894
The Chicago World's Fair had opened in May 1893, at the end of the Smithsonian's previous fiscal year. Curators in the United States National Museum like Department of Birds curator Robert Ridgway were deeply involved in preparations for the Fair. With the Fair underway, was Ridgway able to return his attention and the attention of his staff to the Department's collections? Join Transcription Center volunpeers and transcribe these monthly and annual department reports to get to the details of their activities.
100% Complete
48 Total pages
18 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Geology, 1958-59
While it may have come to the Smithsonian in a nondescript way--in a package, through the US Postal Service!--visitors to the National Museum of Natural History today can't miss the dazzling Hope Diamond display. The same can be said for when the diamond first went on exhibit at the US National Museum. This 1958-59 annual curator's report from the Division of Geology details the then-new Hope Diamond display, and the rest of the department's acquisitions. Find the hidden gems in this fascinating report and join other volunteers in transcribing!
100% Complete
16 Total pages
4 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Geology, Division of Mineralogy and Petrology, 1958-59
In 1958-59, the Smithsonian accessioned more than 4,500 specimens into its mineralogy collection, among them the "largest and most notable of all blue diamonds in the world": the Hope Diamond. How did such a legendary gem come to the Smithsonian? In a plain brown paper package, via the U.S. Postal Service! While the package itself is now part of the National Postal Museum, the diamond resides at the National Museum of Natural History. Dig deeper into the story of the Hope Diamond with the Division of Mineralogy and Petrology Annual Report, detailing the year's most iconic collection addition. Join other digital volunteers in transcribing this important piece of Smithsonian history!
100% Complete
21 Total pages
9 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Mollusks: Annual, 1892-1893
As a collector, knowing what you don't have can be just as important as what you already have in your collection. Especially if your goal is to have a truly comprehensive set of specimens. From the progress of the Department of Mollusks to identify and catalog duplicates in the previous year, curator William H. Dall reports on the fruit of those labors as well as work with Tertiary Fossils and special reports drawn up for four different government organizations including the US Navy, the Revenue Marine and the Department of Agriculture plus several expeditions. Join up with other volunteers to transcribe this material and help us connect this material with other biodiversity material in museums and research centers all over.
100% Complete
8 Total pages
3 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1887-1888
Buildings occasionally require repairs, and in late 1887 - early 1888 repairs were undertaken in the west basement of the United States National Museum. In a museum that was growing rapidly, every square inch was precious. Honorary curator, H. C. Yarrow includes the impact of these repairs on the work of his department in his annual summary. Please help us transcribe Yarrow's last report as the Department of Reptiles lead curator.
100% Complete
21 Total pages
3 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1888-1889
How do you respond when a supposed windfall of specimens are received, but upon inspection the collection is disarray? Newly appointed acting curator Leonhard Stejneger had begun to work his way through specimens from the United States Exploring Expedition and reports on the challenges he encountered in this annual report. Join our volunpeers in effort to transcribe his 1888-1889 departmental report.
100% Complete
54 Total pages
15 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1889-1890
In 1889 while repairs in basement of the United States National Museum were underway, specimens from the Department of Reptiles were temporarily moved to the Smithsonian Building's south tower. Acting curator Leonhard Stejneger carefully supervised the move and took advantage of the move to re-examine the collection records. Please help us transcribe his departmental reports to learn more about what he uncovered and the new species that were identified due to the collections' relocation.
100% Complete
93 Total pages
13 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1890-1891
What does a year of "unusual activity in the herpetological department" of the United States National Museum look like? Curator Leonhard Stejneger's report covers the remarkable gains and the less impressive areas of progress in plain language. Head curator of the Department of Reptiles for just three years, he has supervised the relocation of the collections and uncovered several areas where the collections needed urgent attention. Please help us transcribe Stejneger's report and learn what "unusual activity" meant to this highly-respected herpetologist.
100% Complete
103 Total pages
21 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1891 - 1892
When you look back over the past year, what brings you satisfaction? Herpetologist Leonhard Stejneger, curator of the United States National Museum's Department of Reptiles, submits this report of his department's activity for which it has "every reason to look back upon the year 1891 - '92 with satisfaction." Please help us to transcribe this curatorial report and learn details that are not always included in the Institution's overall annual report.
100% Complete
59 Total pages
11 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1892 - 1893
What is it like to develop collection of reptiles for a national museum, managing rapid growth without sacrificing quality? Now add to that, the additional task of preparing an exhibit for the Chicago World's Fair. This was the challenge for curator Leonhard Stejneger and the staff of the United States National Museum's Department of Reptiles in 1892 and 1893. Join us as we transcribe Stejneger's report and examine how they rose to the challenge.
100% Complete
13 Total pages
9 Contributing members
USNM Curators Annual Report - Department of Reptiles, 1893 - 1894
Contributions of specimens to the United States National Museum came from all over the world. In his report of his department's activity for 1893 - 1894, Reptiles curator Leonhard Stejneger identifies the individuals and groups from four different continents whose generosity was helping to build a truly international collection. Please help us to transcribe his report and learn more about how this department cared for this collection and the specimens that had been exhibited earlier in the year at the Chicago World's Fair.
