USNM Department of Prehistoric Anthropology: Annual Report, 1885-86

In the 1880s, the massive US National Museum collection was housed in many cases in what’s now the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building. What is the process for cleaning and organizing such a diverse collection? Get the details of the day-to-day care of the Department of Prehistoric Anthropology’s collection in this 1885-86 annual curator’s report.