Stamps of Approval

Now - April 29, 2012
Schermer Hall

The U.S. Postal Service recognized the work of American industrial designers in a new series of Forever stamps launched on June 29, 2011. Honored as "Pioneers of American Industrial Design" are Dave Chapman, Donald Deskey, Henry Dreyfuss, Norman Bel Geddes, Raymond Loewy, Peter Müller-Munk, Eliot Noyes, Frederick Hurten Rhead, Gilbert Rohde, Walter Dorwin Teague, Greta von Nessen, and Russel Wright. On view in this exhibition are eight objects featured on the stamps from the collection of George R. Kravis II; these objects helped shape the look of everyday life in the 20th century:

• Henry Dreyfuss's 1937 Model 302 Bell telephone
• Norman Bell Geddes's 1940 Patriot radio
• Peter Müller-Munk's 1935 Normandie pitcher
• Eliot Noyes's 1961 Selectric typewriter for IBM
• Frederick Hurten Rhead's 1936 Fiesta pitcher
• Walter Dorwin Teague's 1934 Baby Brownie camera
• Greta von Nessen's 1951 Anywhere lamp
• Russel Wright's 1951 Highlight/Pinch flatware

Also on view is a design drawing by Russel Wright from the museum's collection.

Organized by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum with the Philbrook Museum of Art.

The Wonder of Light: Touch and Learn

Indefinitely
Great Hall, near the Associates' Membership Desk

Light is a symbol of discovery. On view in a case are objects from the museums' collections related to light. The name of this exhibition is from the theme of the original Children's Room, "Knowledge begins with Wonder."

 

Featured Areas: Children's Room, The Commons, and Schermer Hall

Permanent
First Floor

• Children's Room: (First Floor, South Entrance, Independence Avenue)
The Children's Room -- with the theme "Knowledge Begins in Wonder" -- was installed in the south tower of the Castle in 1901 and featured natural history exhibitions for children. The original decorative scheme by designer Grace Lincoln Temple was restored in the mid-1980s.

• The Commons: (First Floor, West Wing)
The Commons, in the 19th-century Gothic Revival architectural style, features a soaring, groin-vaulted ceiling, elaborate corbels, a ribbed-vaulted apse, and a rose window on the south wall. Encircling the room are 28 walnut exhibit cases built in 1871 and refurbished in July 2004 with selected objects representing the Smithsonian's collections (for details, see permanent exhibition The Smithsonian Institution: America's Treasure Chest). The room served as a dining facility for many years, closing in June 2004.

• Schermer Hall: (First Floor, West Wing)
Schermer Hall, named for Smithsonian donors Lloyd G. and Betty A. Schermer, is in the Romanesque Revival style with clerestory windows, rounded arches, and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Furnishings from the Castle Collection include a pair of Rococo Revival gilded mirrors that belonged to Simon Cameron, Secretary of War (1860-1862) under President Lincoln; a pair of Renaissance Revival armchairs (c. 1860) that belonged to Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War (1862-1867) under Presidents Lincoln and Grant; and Georgian Revival tables (c. 1910) in mahogany and verdi marble with classically carved motifs, including anthemion and acanthus leaves and guilloche (running dog) borders. Also in this room is a small panel display on the history of the west wing; for details, see the permanent display The West Wing: A Chronology.

• Great Hall: See Smithsonian Information Center.
• Smithson's Crypt: See separate listing.

Smithson's Crypt

Permanent
1st Floor, North Entrance (Jefferson Drive)

The final resting place of the Institution's benefactor, James Smithson (1765-1829), is a small chapel-like room located at the north entrance to the Castle. Exhibit cases contain a few of Smithson's personal effects, as well as the Smithsonian's official Mace and Badge of Office. A panel explains how Smithson's remains came to the United States in 1904 and the Smithsonian's plans to build a memorial to him.