Spring 2012
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affiliate News about Smithsonian Affiliates
Restored Pioneer locomotive at the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Affiliations.
Eight Affiliates participated in a two-day strategy session for the Americans All: Immigration/Migration Initiative in January 2012.
B&O Railroad Museum Restores Smithsonian’s Pioneer for 150th Civil War Anniversary
The Civil War Sesquicentennial is being celebrated around the nation by towns, tourist bureaus, historical groups, and museums, including 15 Affiliates. From special exhibitions to re-enactments and lectures, Civil War programs and activities are bringing history to life and educating millions about this critical era in American history. The War Came by Train, the B&O Railroad Museum’s commemoration, is just one of the many activities offered in Baltimore, Maryland, to mark the 150th Anniversary. Civil War Baltimore served as a major hub in the transportation of
troops and supplies along the East Coast, with the B&O line being the only railroad connecting the North to the nation’s capital. The Mount Clare Station — now part of the museum — played a role in the evolving conflict, from the Baltimore Riot of 1861 to the departure of Lincoln’s funeral train in 1865. “The B&O Railroad Museum has the largest collection of Civil War railroad equipment in the world,” said Courtney B. Wilson, the museum’s executive director.
B&O Railroad Museum
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Welcome to our newest Smithsonian Affiliates
Both Sides Now An exhibition of Florida landscapes, recently on view at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, seemed a perfect metaphor for collaboration. Like the flora and fauna in the paintings, collaborations are sometimes hidden, sometimes out in the open, sometimes bearing life growing quietly in the shade, and sometimes bursting out in full glory. As the Smithsonian Affiliations program has evolved and matured, collaborations have taken on a new vitality, demonstrating the value of true partnership over time and across various landscapes. Unintentionally, many examples of what Affiliates are doing for the Smithsonian populate this issue of The Affiliate: the restoration of locomotives and sculptures, the loan of art and objects, the development of living history programs, and the expansion of citizen science research. In more ways than we can count, Affiliates are daily investing their time, resources, and expertise to support the Smithsonian in the multi-layered work of “increase and diffusion.� This year has been particularly fertile as collaborations move deeper in the direction of education. In January, Affiliate experts from the Rubin Museum of Art, California Science Center, Miami Science
Museum, and Museum of Nature and Science served alongside Smithsonian colleagues in planning the National Symposium on Early Learning, a project funded by the Smithsonian Consortium for Understanding the American Experience. During the spring, educators from three Affiliates — Institute of Texan Cultures, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute — jumped on board the Let’s Do History Tour, an innovative program launched by the National Museum of American History aimed at teachers in underserved and rural communities. More than a dozen Affiliates are partners in the Youth Access Grant program, Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos, an art/science learning project organized by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Affiliates across the country are also integral partners in Places of Invention, a project directed by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, generously supported by the National Science Foundation. Like Florida’s ever changing landscape, collaborations between the Smithsonian and Affiliates will continue to reshape and transform themselves in response to changing circumstances, especially the
needs of audiences and learning communities, and the opportunities of sharing information in new and engaging ways. More than ever, we look at what it means to be an Affiliate “from both sides now� and we see the greater impact our work can have by working together.
Harold A. Closter closterh@si.edu
The Mexican Museum San Francisco, CA Springfield Museum of Art Springfield, OH Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Fort Worth, TX Ohio Historical Society Columbus, OH
Editor Christina Di Meglio Lopez Assistant Editor Elizabeth Bugbee Writer Cara Seitchek Designer Brad Ireland Printing Chroma Graphics, Inc.
Affiliations Staff Directory Jennifer Brundage, National Outreach Manager Elizabeth Bugbee, External Affairs & Professional Development Coordinator Harold A. Closter, Director Alma Douglas, National Outreach Manager Aaron Glavas, National Outreach Manager Laura Hansen, National Outreach Manager
contents
Christina Di Meglio Lopez, External Affairs Manager Caroline Mah, National Outreach Manager Gertrude Ross, Financial Manager Š 2012 Smithsonian Institution The Affiliate is published by Smithsonian Affiliations. All rights reserved. For information Smithsonian Affiliations Smithsonian Institution
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P.O. Box 37012 MRC 942 Washington, DC 20013-7012 Telephone: 202.633.5300 Fax: 202.633.5313
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B&O Railroad Museum Restores Smithsonian’s Pioneer for 150th Civil War Anniversary
National Museum of Natural History Brings Citizen Science to Riverside, California
Two-Way Street: Affiliate Collections Enhance American Art Exhibition
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Hirshhorn Museum Shares Sculptures with Affiliate Communities
Affiliates Partner in Smithsonian Funded Grant Programs
Plimoth Plantation Pilgrim Makes History Come Alive
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Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Offer your members two memberships in one. For more information email dimeglioc@si.edu.
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history Left to Right
The B&O Railroad
Pioneer locomotive,
Museum’s National
on loan from NMAH,
Historic Landmark
in the restoration
Roundhouse.
facility at the B&O
Photo courtesy
Railroad Museum.
B&O Railroad
Photo courtesy
Museum.
Smithsonian Affiliations.
“Baltimore’s B&O
continued from page 1 B&O Railroad Museum Restores Smithsonian’s Pioneer for 150th Civil War Anniversary
“And we have on-site ability to restore historic trains in our award-winning restoration shop.” The combination of curatorial expertise with specialized conservation knowhow has established the B&O Railroad Museum as the premier locomotive restoration facility in the country, thus making it the ideal partner for the restoration of the Pioneer, an 1851 locomotive in the collections of the National Museum of American History (NMAH). From its earliest days pulling passenger trains for the Cumberland Valley Rail Road (CVRR) to its role in two Civil War raids on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to its career as an “operating relic” rolled out for display at World’s Fairs and Expositions, the Pioneer represents the story of how railroads and railroading shaped American history. On view at the Smithsonian from 1963 through 2001, the locomotive required extensive conservation and repairs, which the B&O Railroad Museum volunteered to provide. “The Pioneer is a perfect fit for us, particularly as we rolled out our 150th anniversary activities,” said David Shackelford, chief curator for the museum.
In November 2011, five Affiliates participated in SAO’s Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos webinar.
“We could really show off the caliber of the restoration work that we do.” Although the museum had always had the capacity to do restoration work, the 2003 collapse of its Roundhouse roof after a heavy snowstorm provided the impetus for creating a professional facility. “We made the strategic decision to use some of the insurance funds to invest in the collection’s future by building a state-ofthe-art facility with a wood working shop, a metal shop, a locomotive inspection pit, and enclosed paint booth,” said Shackelford. After securing donations to fund the Pioneer’s conservation, the B&O Railroad Museum restoration team — working in tandem with NMAH staff —outlined a year-long plan for stabilizing and restoring the locomotive to its 1901 appearance. Work included removing rust from exposed metal, repair and replacement of missing and damaged components, repainting striping and lettering, and repairing the water tank, fenders, and wheels. “We had an open dialogue throughout the process,” said Susan Tolbert, deputy chair and curator in the NMAH Division of Work and Industry. “B&O’s expertise and capacity to work on large objects is a wonderful resource for NMAH. The facility is so close and their team is extremely skilled and professional.”
By offering to restore and house the locomotive, the museum secured a longterm loan from NMAH curators who have worked with the Affiliate for many years. In addition to the Pioneer, visitors to the museum can also see the Smithsonian’s collection of model railway engines and cars, and the Stourbridge Lion — the first locomotive operated in the United States. With the restoration complete by 2011, the Pioneer joined seven other Civil War era locomotives and cars in the museum’s National Historic Landmark Roundhouse. Combined with interpretive signage, video presentations, and life-size historic dioramas, this assemblage of Civil War railroad equipment connects the history of American rail and the role of transportation to the Civil War. Visitors can also view changing exhibitions in the museum’s Alex Brown & Sons Exhibition Gallery, travel to the museum’s Ellicott City Station for scholarly presentations, and take a narrated train ride to the museum’s Whistle-stop Gateway terminal, the site of Camp Carroll, the largest Union encampment in Baltimore. “We have always had a close collegial relationship with the Smithsonian,” said Wilson. “It’s a great synergistic relationship that works both ways.”
Railroad Museum is our nation’s premier repository for railroad memorabilia and history. The War Came by Train exhibition and the Smithsonian’s Pioneer locomotive will help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War by demonstrating the central role that Maryland and the railroad played in this important period of history.”
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
the affiliate
National Museum of American History
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art
Reuben Nakian’s The Rape of Lucrece at Irving Arts Center. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Affiliations.
Hirshhorn Museum Shares Sculptures with Affiliate Communities
Dragan by Vasa Velizar Mihich at Annmarie Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Affiliations.
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Three Affiliates brought Smithsonian resources to communities through the National Museum of American History’s Let’s Do History Tour.
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden maintains an active acquisition program, adding to its diverse collections every year in order to provide a national platform for the art and artists of our time. In order to expand its audience across the country, the Hirshhorn has provided sculptures for long-term loan to other mu‑ seums and organizations with the goal of reaching communities outside of Washington, D.C., including several Affiliates — Ellen Noël Art Museum, Irving Arts Center, and Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, among others. In 2011, the Ellen Noël Art Museum in Odessa, Texas, installed Upright Leaf Forms, a 1957 iron sculpture created by British artist Robert Adams. Director Les Reker said, “I wanted a piece that was significant in the 20th century, so I went through the available sculptures for loan and selected this one. Mr. Hirshhorn himself donated it to the Museum.” This installation is now a regular part of the docent tours and educational programming. “People who come in and see it are very
proud to have a piece of the Smithsonian here,” said Reker. “They see it and are impressed.” The Irving Arts Center (IAC) in Irving, Texas, has also provided a home for two Hirshhorn sculptures in the IAC Sculpture Garden. Marcie Inman, IAC director of exhibitions and educational programs, commented, “We were specifically interested in works of arts that we could display outdoors so that the public had access to them 24 hours a day.” The two loaned sculptures, Reuben Nakian’s The Rape of Lucrece and Goddess of the Golden Thighs, arrived via flatbed truck, requiring a large crane for installation and are now surrounded by pieces commissioned from Texas artists and a 66-foot-long mosaic mural created by high school students. “We received some wonderful news coverage showing dramatic shots of these large sculptures hovering in the air, suspended from a crane,” said Inman. “Having these two sculptures has really raised our profile as well as the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum in our community.”
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Ellen Noël Art Museum
www.hirshhorn.si.edu
www.noelartmuseum.org
art Upright Leaf Forms, by Robert Adams at Ellen Noël Art Museum. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Affiliations.
Robert Engman’s After Iyengar at Annmarie Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy Annmarie Sculpture Garden.
Inman started the loan process while visiting Washington, D.C., for an Affiliations conference, setting up an appointment to meet the curators and view the collections. “When we approached the Hirshhorn, it just happened to be when they were re-evaluating their collections and had designated several pieces for loan,” said Inman. “They are both exciting and powerful pieces, and it’s wonderful to have some sculpture of importance in our garden.” The Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland, has partnered with the Hirshhorn since 2003, offering a home to a variety of sculptures over the years. A favorite of tourists and residents alike, the 30-acre garden showcases the loan sculptures in woods, floral, and water settings. “Some sculptures have come and gone, but that’s the normal life of a sculpture garden,” said Stacey Hann-Ruff, Annmarie director. “We assess every piece during our annual review and consider structural integrity, weathering, and the safety of the sculpture.”
In addition to the Hirshhorn loans, Annmarie now has three sculpture loans from the National Gallery of Art. “The loans from the National Gallery are a direct result of our affiliation,” HannRuff said. “Since we were vetted by the Smithsonian, they know we can take care of their pieces and they have a level of trust and confidence in us.” The loans have also helped Annmarie realize the vision of Francis and Ann Marie Koenig, who donated the land for the gardens. “We can now implement the Koenig’s vision for a sculpture garden in a manner that is affordable. We cannot buy or commission all these works, but we can create their vision with these loans,” said Hann-Ruff. “In fact, we have changed our name to “sculpture garden” to reflect the growth and development of our organization. We have truly grown into the name.”
Irving Arts Center
Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center
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Alexander Calder’s Stainless Stealer at Annmarie Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy Annmarie Sculpture Garden.
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science/history our collections that had been collected by Edmund Jaeger, who also collected for the Smithsonian. When I contacted Rusty, he pulled the NMNH specimens and we started talking about the history of the mountains in this area and how they had been affected by climate change.” The challenge of exploring an area that had not been studied for 70 years intrigued both, and soon Russell was leading a team to explore the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountain slopes examined by Jaeger. This initial field trip grew into a larger program that now brings California residents into the field to make their own observations and field notes. Every spring, Russell travels back to Riverside to lead a week-long program. In one program, the week focused on wildflowers and floral transitions in the nearby desert. Activities included short hikes, making pressed flowers, workshops, and lectures, all designed to increase citizen awareness and appreciation of the region’s environments. Russell’s visits to Riverside have increased the community’s awareness of the importance of their environment. The City of Riverside is now planning a city-wide citizen science project for its open spaces and was just awarded a California State Parks grant for $780,000 to build a nature center that will be the base for additional initiatives. “Rusty’s prominence in the field and our relationship with the Smithsonian contributed to Riverside receiving the
grant,” said Bryant. “Citizen Science Week has been a catalyst for many spinoffs.” These spinoffs include an invitation for Bryant and Russell to speak at a May conference at the California Academy of Sciences, which is exploring how to create a state-wide citizen science program. The University of California, Riverside provides scholars and experts to serve as the research arm of the citizen science efforts, while nearby Redlands company, ESRI, has worked with RMM to create a geographic information system software for digital field notes, used by a wide network of volunteers for documenting plant changes and responses to climate change. “Our citizen scientists use this to collect and provide the data to scientists like Rusty,” said Bryant. “It’s sparked a revival of interest in this area.” Both Russell and Bryant agree that RMM’s active relationship with the Smithsonian has benefits for both organizations. “Riverside is also helping the Smithsonian,” said Bryant. “We have helped the Smithsonian establish a presence in our community, and as a result we are providing the Institution new research data, programs, and members.” the affiliate
Photos courtesy Buffalo Bill Historical Center.
National Museum of Natural History brings Citizen Science to Riverside, California Rusty Russell works in the classroom and in the field to bring Citizen Science Week to Riverside, California. Photos courtesy Danielle Leland, Riverside Metropolitan Museum.
“The only single unambiguous personal record of a scientist’s research is in his field book. It can contain stories of life and death that are fascinating,” said Rusty Russell, collections manager for the U.S. National Herbarium in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). On most days, Russell is surrounded by the quiet of the Herbarium and shelves of dried plant specimens that record centuries of expeditions around the world. In his more than 30 years working for the Department of Botany, Russell has brought order and innovation to these collections — creating a bar coding system, scanning specimens into a digital library, and placing botanists’ field books online. For eight years, Russell has been bringing his encyclopedic knowledge of plants to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum (RMM), creating citizen science programs that take residents into the field and help them build their own collections of indigenous plants. “Our Citizen Science Week came about in an interesting way,” said James Bryant, RMM curator and a former student of Russell’s. “I discovered some specimens in
Two-Way Street: Affiliate Collections Enhance American Art Exhibition
Singgalot opening
FACC President
celebration with
Bert Rodriguez and
Angelica Docog, Tony
Mrs. Rodriguez.
Amore, Dr. Nini Batista,
Photo courtesy Hearth
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Buffalo Bill Historical Center
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A Herd of Bison Crossing the Misouri River by William Jacob Hays, Sr. and a breech loading repeater pistol were two of five loans, including two additional paintings and a photograph, from the collections of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC) in Cody, Wyoming, that journeyed to the Smithsonian American Art Museum to join 156 other items in The Great American Hall of Wonders exhibition, on view from July 2011 through January 2012. “Each object in itself is a story, a treasure, which has a background that helps flesh out a piece of the puzzle” said Elizabeth Broun, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
history
Affiliates Play Major Role in Smithsonian Funded Grant Programs Affiliates around the country are playing an integral role in three Smithsonian-wide projects — Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos, Americans All, and the National Symposium on Early Learning. Funded through Smithsonian internal grant programs, these new sources of support offer Affiliates opportunities for more in-depth collaboration with Smithsonian units and a platform to provide a national voice in Smithsonian initiatives. Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos regrants $1500 to 25 Affiliates partnering with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). Seeded through a Youth Access Implementation Grant from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Education and Access (ASEA), the project’s goal is to provide underserved middle school youth in Affiliate communities with access to CfA’s robotic telescopes, which can be controlled over the Internet. Using computers and special online software, students can control real telescopes to capture electronic images of outer space that arrive by email. They learn to enhance the images through specialized color filters, strengthening both their science research and technology skills. Youth participants will exhibit their works at the host Affiliate, sharing the program with a wider audience. “The goal of the Youth Access Grants Program is to support Smithsonian educators and their collaborators who are engaged nationally, using technology to reach underserved youth. The program provides support through funding, technical assistance, and professional development,” said Karen Garrett, ASEA project manager. Americans All brings together a large network of museums and research centers to document and interpret the history and culture of immigration and migration in the United States. Awarded a grant from the
Consortium for Understanding the American Experience, this initiative is developing a national advisory committee and a cohort of museum, university, community college, and community partners — including eight Affiliates — discussing how best to document American heritage and identity. As project teams work together and share information, there are two goals in mind: to produce a segment for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2015; and to create an interdisciplinary exhibition at the National Museum of American History in 2016. Gainor B. Davis, president and CEO of the Western Reserve Historical Society, said “Cleveland is a diverse community with rich and varied traditions. I see this project as a marvelous way of highlighting our collections and expertise as they relate to the theme of migration and immigration, and we are pleased to add our voices to the national dialogue on this timely topic.” Also the recipient of a Consortium for Understanding the American Experience planning grant, the National Symposium on Early Learning project is a collaboration among Smithsonian Affiliations, the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center and seven Smithsonian education units. Four Affiliate educators with demonstrated expertise in early childhood research and programming were funded to participate in the first planning meeting held in January 2012. Affiliate participants included the California Science Center, Miami Science Museum, Museum of Science and Nature, and the Rubin Museum of Art. A national advisory council on early learning was convened to begin framing the goals of the larger national symposium. Mary Ellen Munley, principal, MEM & Associates, produced a literature review of early learning in museums. As these initiatives progress, Smithsonian Affiliations will continue in partnership with Smithsonian units and the Affiliate network to provide expanded resources and benefits to Affiliates. the affiliate
Teens in Miami Science
during the Affiliate’s
Museum’s Upward
Astronomy Day
Bound Program
in October. Photo
will exhibit their
courtesy Miami
astrophotography
Science Museum.
Plimoth Plantation Pilgrim Makes History Come Alive On November 13, 2011, just in time for Thanksgiving, Mayflower Pilgrim Richard Warren visited the National Museum of American History (NMAH), bringing stories of the First Thanksgiving to families in Washington, D.C. Warren’s story was brought to life by Richard Pickering, deputy director of Plimoth Plantation and Colonial role player. Pickering, who has been interpreting Warren for three years at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts, described the afternoon as “wonderful and busy, people were standing against the walls by the end of the day.” Presented as part of the NMAH Historic Theater program, Meet Richard Warren not only provided visitors with in-depth information about Warren —one of ten passengers in the Mayflower landing party — but also the Mayflower crossing, the Wampanoag Indians, and the First Thanksgiving. These are integral to American history and complement the museum’s new exhibition, American Stories, which features an original piece of Plymouth Rock. “Plimoth Plantation provides every interpreter with a huge store of primary resources,” said Pickering.” When Pickering becomes Warren, he offers the audience the
opportunity to direct questions to both Richards, donning his Pilgrim hat when answering as Warren and taking it off when speaking as Pickering. “The role-play provides background and context to Warren’s story for those who are not familiar with Thanksgiving or the Pilgrims,” said Pickering. “And through the stories of the Pilgrims, all Americans can potentially relate to the immigrant experience and connect to their own family histories of coming to America.” Rosemary Phillips, NMAH museum affiliation manager, said, “Both Richards engaged our visitors in lively two-way conversations that made history come alive. We value the opportunity to partner with Affiliates in ways that enhance interactive learning and broaden the Smithsonian and Affiliate relationships.” Discussions are underway for Pickering to return to NMAH to reprise the role of Richard Warren, accompanied by the Plimoth role player who interprets his wife, Elizabeth Warren. “Our Affiliation means that Plimoth has access to Smithsonian experts and museums, but can also help the Smithsonian broaden its public outreach goals,” said Pickering, the affiliate
Plimoth Plantation
American History.
Director Richard
Photo courtesy
Pickering as Richard
Smithsonian
Warren at the
Affiliations.
National Museum of
Plimoth Plantation
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Hoop dance
(Orlando) hosted the SITES exhibition William H. Johnson: An American Modern. The Orange County Regional History Center (Orlando) hosted the SITES exhibition Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente in January 2012. In February 2012, Von Hardesty (NASM) visited HistoryMiami (Miami) to lecture and sign his book Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History.
In March 2012,
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workshop with NMAI
Smithsonian Affiliations
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a SITES exhibition
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2012. Photo courtesy
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Christie Pearce,
2011. Photo courtesy
y Centro de Estudios
Columbia Memorial
Charlotte Museum of
Humanísticos, Gurabo,
Space Center,
History, Charlotte, NC.
Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy Smithsonian
Downey, CA.
Affiliations.
Georgia
Smithsonian In Your Neighborhood News about Smithsonian Affiliates Arizona
California
Beyond Geronimo: The Apache Experience, a new exhibition at the Heard Museum (Phoenix), features 16 artifacts on loan from the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), through January 2013.
The Sonoma County Museum (Santa Rosa) hosted the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) exhibition Singgalot (The Ties That Bind) in November 2011. The SITES exhibition, Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America debuted at the San
Diego Museum of Man (San Diego) in April 2012. Elizabeth Weatherford (NMAI) was guest curator for the 11th annual Festival of Native Film & Culture at Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (Palm Springs) in February 2012.
Colorado The Littleton Museum (Littleton) hosted the SITES exhibition Lasting Light: 125 Years of Grand Canyon Photography, in February 2012.
Florida In January 2012, the Mennello Museum of American Art
Tellus Science Museum (Cartersville) welcomed Smithsonian Books author and astronaut, Al Worden, for a lecture and book signing in November 2011.
Illinois In April 2012, Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough presented The Law of Natural Attraction: The Smithsonian and Colleges and Universities at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.
Kansas At The Controls: The National Air and Space Museum Looks at Cockpits, a NASM exhibition, is on view at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center (Hutchinson) through June 2012.
Kentucky The Headley-Whitney Museum (Lexington) exhibits the Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion, on loan from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, through September 2012.
Maryland In November 2011, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture (Baltimore) hosted two SITES exhibitions IndiVisible: AfricanNative American Lives in the Americas and Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente. Joshua Bell (NMNH) served on the exhibition jury for Treasured: Honoring Precious and Vanishing Worlds at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center (Solomons) in April 2012.
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In January 2012, four Affiliates served as national advisory committee members at the planning meeting for a National Symposium on Early Learning.
Massachusetts Sidney Hart (National Portrait Gallery) gave a public talk at the USS Constitution Museum (Boston) in April 2012.
Mississippi Three Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) staff members organized a workshop for K-12 educators at the OhrO’Keefe Museum of Art (Biloxi) in January 2012.
Missouri Union Station Kansas City, Inc. (Kansas City) hosted a threeday Smithsonian Scholars in the Schools program, organized by The Smithsonian Associates, featuring Emily Key (Smithsonian Latino Center) in March 2012.
New Mexico In November 2011, Las Cruces Museum of Art (Las Cruces) opened the SITES exhibition NASA| ART: 50 Years of Exploration. The Branigan Cultural Center (Las Cruces) hosted the Museum on Main Street exhibition Journey Stories in February 2012.
New York Under Secretary Richard Kurin presented Financing the Hope Diamond, a lecture at the Museum of American Finance (New York) in November 2011. In April 2012, Cynthia Brown (Smithsonian Gardens) spoke about the Smithsonian Archive of American Gardens at the Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages (Stony Brook).
Pennsylvania In February 2012, Lonnie Bunch (National Museum of African American History and Culture) was keynote speaker at the symposium American Slavery: Bringing Wider Perspectives to Museum Interpretation co-sponsored by the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Texas The Frontiers of Flight Museum (Dallas) unveiled the restored V-173 “Flying Pancake,” on loan from NASM through March 2015.
Virginia In March 2012, Brian Huber (NMNH) gave a public lecture at the Virginia Museum of Natural History (Martinsville)
Washington The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (Spokane) hosts the NMNH exhibition Dig It! The Secrets of Soil through September 2012. In February 2012, NMNH and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center staff presented Can We Feed the World and Sustain the Planet?, in conjunction with Dig It!. Roger Launius (NASM) presented ‘The Right Stuff’ Revisited, at The Museum of Flight (Seattle) in February 2012. In April 2012, Sharon Shaffer (SEEC) led training seminars at the museum.
Smithsonian Affiliations www.affiliations.si.edu