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During the Civil War, the nine towers in the Smithsonian Castle (in 1858), the Institution's original home, offered views of city, the Potomac River and Virginia. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

By now you know that this year marks the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Civil War. And you’re probably aware of the variety of events, exhibitions and programs taking place across the Smithsonian Institution commemorating that pivotal time in United States history. But what you may not know is that the Smithsonian Institution itself, not yet 15 years old when the war began in 1861, has its own chapter in Civil war history. So, this week, the ATM blog team has compiled a list of the most interesting (and little known facts) about the Smithsonian during wartime.

1. In 1861, the entire Smithsonian Institution was housed in one red sandstone building, designed by James Renwick Jr. to look like a castle.  To the east of the building was what would become the Capitol and to the west, lay the foundation for what would become  the George Washington Monument. A mere mile from the White House, views from the Smithsonian overlooked the Patent Office, the Potomac River, and the rooftops of neighboring Alexandria, Virginia, the hometown of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

2. Joseph Henry, the first secretary of the Institution, was in a tricky situation. Born and bred in the North, Henry opposed both slavery and the war and “favored colonization in Africa over abolition.” More than anything, though, he wanted to keep the Institution apolitical, and protect its collections, even as it was sandwiched between two different realities—secession flags waving over parts of Virginia and war waging in nearby Baltimore. Secretary Henry, despite his reservations about the war, began aiding the Union cause. He introduced balloonist T.S.C. Lowe to the Secretary of War Simon Cameron, and later to President Lincoln. Henry believed that Lowe’s balloons could help the government with its reconnaissance missions. Lowe tested the feasibility of communicating between the balloons and the ground from what is now the Air and Space Museum. Lowe went on to head the tactically successful balloon corps, which, unfortunately imploded due to a series of inner turmoil.

3. One night, someone saw lights flashing from the Smithsonian tower and reported to President Lincoln that Secretary Henry was a traitor, signaling the enemy. President Lincoln reportedly replied that the previous night, he and a few others went with Henry to the tower to experiment with new army signals, or so one story goes; there are several versions. But Secretary Henry was indeed accused of treason, a claim of which he defended himself.

4. In 1861, the Washington Lecture Association, a group of prominent Washingtonians opposed to slavery, wanted to use the Smithsonian lecture room for a forum. At the time, there were restrictions placed on its use and when Henry learned that the forum was about the abolition of slavery, he requested they read a disclaimer. According to Carl Sandburg’s biography of Abraham Lincoln, “the chairman of the lecture series would open each lecture by saying: ‘Ladies and gentlemen: I am requested by Professor Henry to announce that the Smithsonian Institution is not in any way responsible for this course of lectures. I do so with pleasure, and desire to add that the Washington Lecture Association is in no way responsible for the Smithsonian Institution.’ The hall would rock with laughter at Henry’s expense.” Afterwards, the use of the hall was restricted to student awards ceremonies.

5. During the Civil War, the Old Patent Office Building was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers, temporary barracks and a morgue. President Lincoln also held his second inaugural ball there. It was given to the Smithsonian in 1962 and is now the site of the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

For more on the Smithsonian during the Civil War, check out the CivilWar@Smithsonian site.

All Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo are Open. Photo by Eric Long

All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are open.

Don’t miss out on all the events and happenings, all scheduled as planned. Tarantula feedings at the Natural History Museum. A special tour of the Kinsey Collections at American History. An Earth Day celebration at the American Art Museum.

And here’s a list of all the exhibitions that are on view.  For the first time, the Freer Gallery’s renowned Peacock Room has been restored to its appearance in 1908, when the museum’s founder Charles Lang Freer used it to organize and display more than 250 ceramics from all over Asia. The new exhibition, The Peacock Room Comes to America, debuts today.

Other don’t-miss exhibitions and landmark Smithsonian artifacts like the Hope Diamond, Julia Child’s kitchen, the Ruby Slippers, The Wright Flyer, The First Ladies exhibition can be found at the following Smithsonian museum locations:

• The Smithsonian Castle
• The Carousel on the National Mall
• The Ripley Center and International Gallery
• The National Museum of American History
• The National Museum of Natural History
• The National Air and Space Museum
• The Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
• The Smithsonian American Art Museum
• The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
• The National Portrait Gallery
• The Freer and Sackler Galleries
• The Hirshhorn Museum
• The African Art Museum
• The National Museum of the American Indian
• The National Postal Museum
• The National Zoo
• The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City
• The George Gusav Heye Center in New York City

This weekend marks a special time for Smithsonian visitors and the Institution’s spokesperson Linda St. Thomas expressed her delight that the museums were all open for business this weekend:  “People have planned for months, or a year or more, for their spring visits to Washington, which always includes visits to the museums and the Zoo. If it were up to us, we would never shut down. That’s why we are only closed one day a year—Christmas Day.”

Of course spring time is also is presenting Smithsonian photographer Eric Long with some of the most exquisite visual opportunities, enjoy this gallery before gearing up to head out.

The Smithsonian castle's Christmas tree is surrounded by a ring of poinsettias on the floor. Photo by Eric Long

It’s that time of year, and the Smithsonian Institution is leaving no corner undecorated for the holidays. Garlands spiral up the banisters of several Smithsonian museums, and Douglas fir trees tower inside the museum entrances. At the very least, almost every Smithsonian building has what is perhaps the most ubiquitous holiday decoration: the poinsettia.

According to Monty Holmes of the Smithsonian Gardens, the horticulture team has grown some 1,700 poinsettias this year. With so many of the plants under his care, Holmes began investigating the original connection between it and the holidays. Surprisingly, he discovered a little-known link between the poinsettia and the Smithsonian.

As it turns out, the red-leafed plant was introduced to the United States by botanist and statesman Joel Poinsett (1779-1851), who as the first U.S. Minister to Mexico found the plant while serving there. The poinsettia is said to have been used by the Aztecs as a red dye and to reduce fevers.

And what was its connection to the Smithsonian?

Poinsett was a founding member of the National Institution for the Promotion of Science, which formed in 1840 to promote the study of natural history and physical sciences, among other fields. It is thought that the organization was founded with the intention of securing the James Smithson bequest. (Although Smithson had never visited the United States, he left his estate of $508,318–about $15 million in today’s dollars–to establish in Washington, D.C. an institution for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.”) At the time, much debate was going on about how best to achieve Smithson’s request.

When Poinsett was United States Secretary of War in 1838, he presided over the United States Exploring Expedition, the first circumnavigation of the globe sponsored by the United States.

Joel Poinsett first posed the idea of creating a national museum. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian Institution Archives

“He insisted when this global exploring expedition went out that it included scientists,” says Smithsonian historian Pamela Henson of Poinsett. “They collected geological, biological, anthropological specimens throughout the trip. They were called ‘scientifics.’”

The artifacts collected on that expedition were brought back to Washington, D.C. and put on display much like a modern-day museum exhibition at the Patent Office building (currently home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery). The exhibition was presided over by Poinsett’s National Institution. Poinsett was among dozens of who had strident convictions on how the money ought to be used; some thought it should be a library, others hoped it would support scientific research. But Poinsett was the first to argue that Smithson’s money should be used to create a national museum.

“He basically interjected the concept of creating a national museum into the debate surrounding what to do with Smithson’s money,” says Henson. “He never succeeded in getting the money [the Smithsonian was founded soon after in 1846 and the National Institution for the Promotion of Science promptly dissolved], but his push was what lead to the concept of the museum being part of the Smithsonian.”

As you peruse the halls of the Smithsonian Institution this Christmas, counting the poinsettias, remember Joel Poinsett, who planted the seed for the creation of a national museum.

Basket (late 20th century) by the Lozi peoples of Zambia. Image courtesy of the African Art Museum.

Friday, July 23: Made in Hong Kong Film Festival: Rule Number One

In this police drama cum supernatural thriller, a young cop assigned to the Miscellaneous Affairs Department investigates incidents of paranormal activity—only to find himself targeted by a mysterious spirit. This film is presented in Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles. Free. Freer, 7:00 PM.

Saturday, July 24: The Art of Basketry

Basket weaving is an age-old craft that has evolved from creating vessels to meet one’s day-to-day needs to the stuff of bewilderingly beautiful works of art. Case in point are the baskets woven by Mary Jackson who puts modern twists on traditional basket forms—and be sure to check out examples of her work as well as video of her discussing how she approaches her art here. Today, Kenyan artist and weaver Gathoni Kamau will show you how to design your own basket to carry your most treasured keepsakes. After the workshop, be sure to check out the companion exhibit Grass Roots: African Origins of American Art. Ideal for persons ages 12 and older. Free, but registration is required. To register, call 202-633-4633. Not able to make it out for this session? Worry not. This event repeats on September 25. African Art Museum, 10:3-AM-1:00 PM.

Sunday, July 25: Book Signing: Madeleine Albright: Read My Pins

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has her jewelry box on display in the recently-opened show Read My Pins. Today, she will be available to sign copies of the companion book, which details how she used jewelry as a means of diplomatic expression. To preorder copies of Read My Pins, call the Museum Store at 202-633-0030 from 10 AM to 5 PM daily. Books may be picked up one week before the event from the Castle Museum Store. Also, please note:

• Positions in the signing line will be determined by the number on cash register receipts.
• No memorabilia. No posed photos.
• The Smithsonian reserves the right to limit books brought from home.

Free. Smithsonian Castle, 2:00-4:00 PM.

Exhibit Closings: Yes, all good things must come to an end and we are definitely sad to see these two shows leave. Artful Animals—a wonderful, interactive art show that’s perfect for younger museum-goers—at the African Art Museum closes on Sunday, July 25. Yuungnaqpiallerput (The Way We Genuinely Live) is a collection of 19th century cultural artifacts of Alaska’s Yup’ik people closes at the Natural History Museum, also on Sunday, July 25.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

To start playing, download the free SCVNGR app and select the goSmithsonian Trek from the "Trek" tab.

Our mobile adventure goSmithsonian Trek ends this Saturday, July 24. In its short one-month run, the goSmithsonian Trek has inspired players to explore, create and interact with Smithsonian Museums like never before. Trekkers are encouraged to answer questions, write haikus and slogans and take photos of their adventures. So far, the Trek has attracted just under 1,000 players, all vying for a chance to win one of two Apple iPads.

In honor of the Trek’s “Take 5/7/5” poem challenges, my Trek inspired haikus:

Play the goSmith Trek!
You’ll explore nine museums
In a unique way

Conquer challenges
And try and earn the most points
To win an iPad

It won’t be easy
‘Cause competition is fierce!
Good luck, Explorers!

Check out the goSmithsonian Trek site for more information and get out there and play while you still can!