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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FIVE-YEAR PROSPECTUS FY 1984 - 1988 INTRODUCTION [[horiz line]] James Smithson bequeathed the whole of his property "to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." In doing so, he created a charitable trust, through the terms of which the United States would serve as trustees for purposes directed toward the benefit of all mankind. By the Act of July 1, 1836, Congress accepted Smithson's bequest, and pledged the "faith of the United States" to carry out its purposes. In the Act of August 10, 1846, Congress established the Institution in its present form and placed responsibilities for management with a Board of Regents. The Smithsonian is a unique combination of a privately endowed and governmentally supported institution administered by a Board composed of both [[underlined]]ex officio[[/underlined]] governmental officials and governmentally selected citizens. This arrangement has made possible the remarkable achievements of the Institution during the 136 years of its existence. Over the years, this unique Institution has come to be regarded as one of the world's most important repositories for both private and public collections and for contributions from donors who wish to support the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The great National Collections now consist substantially of private gifts. Continuing additions to the Smithsonian's trust funds have expanded and nourished the Institution's usefulness. Appropriations recommended by the President (who is [[underlined]]ex officio[[/underlined]] a member of the Smithsonian Extablishment) and approved by Congress have provided steadily increasing federal support for many of the Smithsonian's far-reaching services to the public. Through the development of the Smithsonian Associate programs, the Institution now has a nationwide group of interested supporters who sponsor many of its educational activities across the country. The Smithsonian Institution's programs are devoted to public education, research, and national service in the arts, sciences, and history. Centered on the Mall in Washington, D.C., it also operates major facilities and activities elsewhere in Washington, across the country, and overseas. It is one of the world's leading research centers and encompasses the world's largest museum complex, attracting approximately 25,000,000 visitors annually to its museums, galleries, and zoological park. Additional millions of people also view Smithsonian traveling exhibitions, which