Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 24, 1994 TAG: 9404260009
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Of the 14 museums and galleries in Washington, nine are along the National Mall, including the landmark red brick ``Castle,'' now the Smithsonian's headquarters.
The Smithsonian also includes the National Zoo, the Cooper Hewitt Museum of Design and the Heye Museum of the American Indian in New York City, and a half-dozen research centers, among them a Tropical Research Institute in Panama, an environmental center in Maryland, a marine study facility in Florida and astrophysical centers in Massachusetts and Arizona.
The Institution's collection comprises about 140 million artifacts, works of art and specimens.
This year's annual budget of $458.1 million comes from the following sources:
n$342.1 million (75%): direct federal appropriation.
n$62.9 million (14%): donations, bequests and trust fund income.
n$46 million (10%): government grants and contracts.
n$7 million (1%): net income from museum operations such as gift shops and restaurants.
Hours: Open daily 9-5:30. Admission is free.
Museums and galleries on the mall
National Air and Space Museum:History of flight, from the Wright brothers through space exploration. Includes Spirit of St. Louis, warplanes, record breakers, early airliners, lunar craft, dioramas, giant-screen IMAX films.
National Museum of Natural History: Everything from fossils to insects to the history of man. Most popular galleries include dinosaurs and vast gemstone collection, including the Hope diamond.
National Museum of American History: Two centuries of American life, from farms to factories, ships, cars, electricity, printing, photography and a popular ``information age'' exhibit. Includes original "Star Spangled Banner."
Arts and Industries Building: Graceful Victorian structure now houses machinery and products from 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Proposed future home of National African-American Museum.
Freer Gallery of Art: Well-known collection of Asian art and works by James Whistler. Recently reopened after extensive renovation and addition of underground gallery.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: One of world's finest assemblies of modern art, built around collection of Joseph Hirshhorn, a Latvian immigrant who became a powerful Wall Street financier.
National Museum of African Art: One of two underground galleries, displays collection of sculpture and decorative arts from sub-Saharan Africa.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: Underground gallery of Asian art, including jades, bronzes and gold work, built around collection of New York physician Arthur Sackler.
Museums and galleries off the mall
Anacostia Museum: Small museum across Anacostia River from downtown Washington has exhibits on African-American history and culture.
National Postal Museum: Recently opened in old Post Office building near Union Station, traces postal history through artifacts and vast stamp collection.
National Museum of American Art: Sharing half of Old Patent Office Building in downtown Washington, two blocks from Ford's Theater, traces nation's art history through paintings, graphic and performing arts.
National Portrait Gallery: In Old Patent Office Building, follows the nation's history through portrait galleries of presidents, other notable figures. Includes American Indian paintings by George Catlin and gallery of famous Civil War art and photographs.
Renwick Gallery: Washington's first art museum, near White House. Includes several ornate, Victorian rooms and large collection of contemporary American crafts.
by CNB