USNM Curators Annual Reports - Historical Collections, 1890 - 1891

The silver-mounted glass flute belonging to President James Madison. A royal account book approved and signed by King Louis XVI. What was it like to build a collection of historical objects for the United States National Museum? The first page of the 1891 report has this note written across the top: "See page 27. Stephen R. Vail." Help us transcribe these curatorial reports learn more about the invaluable objects the Smithsonian was acquiring at the end of the nineteenth century and the importance of this man, Stephen Vail.