berry

Part of a three-volume collection of Native American biographies and strikingly vivid portraits, this publication contains some of the finest American lithography of the 19th century. Published from 1836 to 1844, Thomas McKenney, US Superintendent of Indian Trade, wanted to preserve "in the archives of the Government whatever of the aboriginal man can be rescued from the destruction which awaits his race." His enlightened view that American Indians ought to be "looked upon as human beings, having bodies and souls like ours" was unfortunately shared by few at that time.

In this fascinating biography of the Smithsonian Castle, Castle Curator Rick Stamm delves into over 150 years of stories about the people who worked (and lived) in this iconic building. The book features many photos of the Castle, from its Victorian beginnings to modern day, and gives the reader deep insight into how the Smithsonian Institution was created and how it grew to become the venerable cultural institution that it is today.