Resources at Smithsonian Institution Archives

Collage of photos and objects related to women's service during World War One

The objects highlighted below are held by the Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) and represent only a preliminary survey of the museum’s holdings that are related to women in World War I.  Please also keep in mind that we have a very broad definition of what constitutes women's involvement in the war.

These objects relate to the closure of the Natural History Building of the U.S. National Museum at the Smithsonian. The Natural History Building, now the National Museum of Natural History, closed to the public on July 16, 1918, in order to accommodate the Bureau of War Risk Insurance.  Many of the Bureau's clerks who worked in the museum were women. The building reopened to the public in April 1919.

Also, check out SIA's blog post about Smithsonian employees' contributions to the war effort during World War I—including the charwomen of the Natural History Building!

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Letter from Charles D. Walcott to President Woodrow Wilson, November 26, 1917

Historic Images of the SmithsonianThe Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the US Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during WWI.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the US Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during WWI. The bureau was located within the US Department of the Treasury and provided insurance policies and paid claims to sailors during WWI.
Summary
Letter from fourth Smithsonian Secretary Charles D. Walcott in response to President Woodrow Wilson's request to use all of the Smithsonian's Natural History Building for the Bureau of War Risk Insurance. Secretary Walcott enumerates all of the delays and difficulties in making space available and offers other suggestions, such as building temporary quarters on Smithsonian grounds.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 192, Box 194, Folder: 1
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
November 26, 1917
20th century
Author
Walcott, Charles D (Charles Doolittle) 1850-1927
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow 1856-1924
United States National Museum
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Natural History Building
Standard number
SIA2014-06990 and SIA2014-6991

Natural History Building Reopens to Public

Chronology of Smithsonian HistoryAnnual Report of the United States National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1919, p. 14.Yochelson, Ellis L. The National Museum of Natural History: 75 Years in the Natural History Building.
Category
Chronology of Smithsonian History
Notes
Annual Report of the United States National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1919, p. 14.
Yochelson, Ellis L. The National Museum of Natural History: 75 Years in the Natural History Building. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985., p. 9
Summary
The United States National Museum, not the National Museum of Natural History reopens to the public after giving the Bureau of War Risk Insurance the use of three floors of its building for office space in October 1917. The Museum reopens to the public when the Bureau vacates to their new building. The first floor is opened on April 11 and the second floor on April 22.
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
April, 1919
Subject
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
Natural History Building
United States National Museum

National Museum Bldg. Closed Due to War

Chronology of Smithsonian HistoryYochelson, Ellis L. The National Museum of Natural History: 75 Years in the Natural History Building. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985., p.
Category
Chronology of Smithsonian History
Notes
Yochelson, Ellis L. The National Museum of Natural History: 75 Years in the Natural History Building. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985., p. 9
Summary
The United States National Museum Building, now the National Museum of Natural History, is closed for use by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance which had moved into a portion of the building the previous October.
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
July 16, 1918
Subject
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
Natural History Building
United States National Museum

Bureau of War Risk Insurance in NHB

Historic Images of the SmithsonianYochelson: 66-67. AR USNM 1918: 14-15. AR 1918 26-27.Clerks of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance occupying the Natural History Building, now the National Museum of Natural History.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
Yochelson: 66-67. AR USNM 1918: 14-15. AR 1918 26-27.
Summary
Clerks of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance occupying the Natural History Building, now the National Museum of Natural History. On the request of President Wilson, the Board of Regents closed the museum to the public on July 16, 1918, making available to the government the ground and two exhibition floors (138,600 sq. ft.). The museum reopens to the public in April 1919.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 26
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
1918
Author
Unknown
Subject
United States National Museum
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
Natural History Building
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Standard number
23904 or MAH-23904

Certificate of Insurance for one case of scientific specimen from S. Dillon Ripley

Historic Images of the SmithsonianFuture Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, formerly assistant curator in the Division of Birds, U.S. National Museum, volunteered for service during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
Future Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, formerly assistant curator in the Division of Birds, U.S. National Museum, volunteered for service during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Stationed in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, he continued his ornithological passion with bird field studies in his free time. Having traveled widely in the South Pacific before the war, he knew the geography, natural history and languages of the region.
See Neg. SIA2010-0597 for page 1.
Summary
Page 2 of the Certificate of Insurance under War Risk policy for one case of scientific specimen from S. Dillon Ripley in Ceylon going to the U.S. Dispatch Agent, New York, U.S.A.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 305, Box 866, Folder: 164398
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
August 23, 1944
Author
Thomas Cook (Firm)
Subject
Ripley, Sidney Dillon 1913-2001
Office of Strategic Services
United Dispatch, Inc
United States National Museum
United States National Museum Dept. of Biology Division of Birds 1897-1947
Standard number
SIA2010-0598

Letter from Henry White to Richard Rathbun

Historic Images of the SmithsonianThe Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the United States Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during World War I.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the United States Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during World War I. The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was established within the Treasury Department to provide insurance policies and pay claims to sailors during World War I.
Summary
Letter from Henry White, Smithsonian Regent and Chairman of the Committee on the Use of the National Museum Buildings, informing Richard Rathbun, Assistant Secretary and Director of the United States National Museum, that the Board of Regents has adopted a resolution to close the Natural History Building for use by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance during World War I.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 192, Box 194, Folder: 1
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
July 15, 1918
20th century
Author
White, Henry 1850-1927
Subject
Rathbun, Richard 1852-1918
United States National Museum
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Natural History Building
Regents Smithsonian Institution
Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum
Standard number
SIA2014-06993

Letter from William deC. Ravenel to President Woodrow Wilson

Historic Images of the SmithsonianThe Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the United States Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during World War I.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the United States Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during World War I. The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was established within the Treasury Department to provide insurance policies and pay claims to sailors during World War I.
Summary
Letter from William deC. Ravenel, Administrative Assistant to Secretary Walcott, to President Woodrow Wilson informing him of the approval by the Committee of the Board of Regents for the Natural History Building closure and ithe use of space in the exhibition halls by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 192, Box 194, Folder: 1
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
July 15, 1918
20th century
Author
Ravenel, William deC
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow 1856-1924
United States National Museum
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Natural History Building
Administrative Assistant in charge of the United States National Museum
Standard number
SIA2014-06992

National Museum Closes for WWI Work

Historic Images of the SmithsonianYochelson: 66-67.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
Yochelson: 66-67. AR 1918: 14-15.
Summary
Clerks of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance work at makeshift desks packed into areas not meant for offices, such as one of the display spaces of the United States National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History Building. The Bureau first moved into the building in October 1917. At the request of President Wilson, the Board of Regents closed the museum to the public on July 16, 1918, and made available to the government the ground and two exhibition floors (138,600 sq. ft.) for the duration of the war for wartime activities. The museum reopened to the public in April 1919.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 26
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
1918
Author
Unknown
Subject
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
United States National Museum
Natural History Building
Standard number
23905 or MAH-23905

Certificate of Insurance for one case of scientific specimen from S. Dillon Ripley

Historic Images of the SmithsonianFuture Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, formerly assistant curator in the Division of Birds, U.S. National Museum, volunteered for service during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
Future Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, formerly assistant curator in the Division of Birds, U.S. National Museum, volunteered for service during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Stationed in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, he continued his ornithological passion with bird field studies in his free time. Having traveled widely in the South Pacific before the war, he knew the geography, natural history and languages of the region.
See Neg. SIA2010-0598 for page 2.
Summary
Page 1 of the Certificate of Insurance under War Risk policy for one case of scientific specimen from S. Dillon Ripley going to U.S. Dispatch Agent, New York, U.S.A..
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 305, Box 866, Folder: 164398
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
August 23, 1944
Author
Thomas Cook (Firm)
Subject
Ripley, Sidney Dillon 1913-2001
United Dispatch, Inc
United States National Museum
United States National Museum Dept. of Biology Division of Birds 1897-1947
Standard number
SIA2010-0597

Press release on closing the Natural History Building for the Bureau of War Risk Insurance

Historic Images of the SmithsonianThe Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the US Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during WWI.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the US Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during WWI. The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was established within the Treasury Department to provide insurance policies and pay claims to sailors during World War I.
Summary
Press notice issued by the Smithsonian Institution on closing the Natural History Building for the Bureau of War Risk Insurance and sent to local newspapers (Washington Post, Star, Times, and Herald).
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 192, Box 194, Folder: 1
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
July 15, 1918
Author
Smithsonian Institution
Subject
United States National Museum
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Natural History Building
Standard number
SIA2014-06994

Letter from Woodrow Wilson to Charles D. Walcott, October 13, 1917

Historic Images of the SmithsonianThe Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the US Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during WWI.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the US Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during WWI. The bureau was located within the US Department of the Treasury and provided insurance policies and paid claims to sailors during WWI.
Summary
Letter from President Woodrow Wilson to fourth Smithsonian Secretary Charles D. Walcott requesting to use space in the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, for the Bureau of War Risk Insurance during WWI. After negotiations, the Bureau of War Risk Insurance was given space in the Natural History Building.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 192, Box 194, Folder: 1
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
October 13,1917
20th century
Author
Wilson, Woodrow 1856-1924
Subject
Walcott, Charles D (Charles Doolittle) 1850-1927
United States National Museum
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Natural History Building
Standard number
SIA2014-06989

Letter from William deC. Ravenel to Mr. Henderson, Oct. 19 1918

Historic Images of the SmithsonianThe Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the United States Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during World War I.
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance was founded in 1914 by the United States Congress to ensure the availability of marine insurance during World War I. The Bureau was established within the Treasury Department to provide insurance policies and pay claims to sailors during World War I.
Summary
Letter from William deC. Ravenel, Administrative Assistant to Secretary Walcott, notifying Mr. Henderson that the space in the Natural History Building previously occupied by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance will be filled with the new war collection materials, e.g. the Natural History Building rotunda, foyer, etc. He stated that the United States War Department and Navy Department were fully cooperating with the Smithsonian's collecting efforts, and also, General John J. Pershing expressed his willingness to make collections from our allies and enemies in Europe.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 192, Box 194, Folder: 2
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
October 19, 1918
20th century
Author
Ravenel, William deC
Subject
Pershing, John J (John Joseph) 1860-1948
United States National Museum
United States Bureau of War Risk Insurance
Natural History Building
Standard number
SIA2014-06995

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