In the May 2011 issue of Smithsonian Magazine, I found exciting news for genealogy and immigration aficionados.
While the Smithsonian Museums (19 in all, plus 9 research centers) focus on specialized areas of interest, a new strategic plan at Smithsonian Institution introduces cross-disciplinary exchanges. Among these collaborative efforts is the “Consortium for Understanding the American Experience,” and includes an Immigration Initiative. Subtitled “Exploring and Presenting America’s Cultural History of Migration and Immigration,” The Immigration Initiative is designed to:
explore the importance of immigration and migration in American history. It will use Smithsonian resources to help Americans contemplate their own experiences–and thereby better appreciate the wider history and culture of our nation. The Immigration Initiative will culminate in a presentation at the 2015 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and an exhibition at the National Museum of American History the following year.
– from p. 28, “Around the Mall: Synergies,” G. Wayne Clough
The funding for the project comes from a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation $10 million grant. There are other Grand Challenges, 31 so far: To learn more, click here. The Immigration Initiative is both timely and worthy–I’m delighted to see this happening.