USNM Curators Annual Reports - Department of Fishes: Annual Report, 1885 - 1886

Rather uncharacteristically, Department of Fishes curator Tarleton H. Bean had a big (fish) bone to pick with the Smithsonian administration. Simply put, the division needed more space. According to Bean, the office space was “so small that two persons can scarcely pass in the space between the desks and the book cases” and the exhibition space was “inadequate.” Transcribe this report to explore the work the department actually accomplished amid frustrating working conditions. For more information, check out the finding aid.