Installation View of Smithsonian Photography Exhibition, c. 1913, 1913, Smithsonian Institution Archives, SIA RU000095 [SIA2012-2610].
Wednesday, July 15, 1896
The Section of Photographic History, Division of Graphic Arts, United States National Museum, is established with Thomas William Smillie as custodian. Smillie also served as the Institution's photographer from 1870 until his death in 1917, documenting important events and scientific expeditions, photographing the museum's installations and specimens, creating reproductions for use as illustrations, and performing chemical experiments for Smithsonian scientific researchers.
