This virtual changed on 8th February 2023 because the castle has closed for renovation, which is planned to take 5 years.
The Smithsonian Institute is one of the best in the world and so it was an essential stop when I visited DC from England in 2002. I discovered that I had more in common with the Smithsonian than I expected.
James Smithson was an English Chemist and Mineralogist. He was awarded a Master of Arts at Oxford University and published numerous scientific papers for the Royal Society in London during the late 1700s. He travelled extensively throughout Europe but never visited the United States. He died and was buried in Italy.
His family owned Studley House near Calne, England just a few miles from where we now live in addition to various other properties. James never married or had children so he left his estate to his nephew. His Will also said that if his nephew died without an heir of his own, then the money should be used "to found in Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men". This is how the money came to be used.
The Cemetery where Smithson was buried was going to be moved in 1905 to enable the expansion of a nearby quarry. Alexander Graham Bell proposed that Smithson’s remains be transported to Washington. As a result, some 75 years after he died, Smithson finally came to Washington, a place which he never visited whilst alive. His Sarcophagus is now held in the Smithsonian Castle, the building which is now in front of you.
I published this virtual in 2002 because I was also an Englishman in DC.
In order to claim this virtual:
1. At GZ, who does the statue represent? Send this answer to me through the message system
2. Take one photo showing BOTH the Smithsonian Castle AND EITHER:
a. Your caching name written on something (paper, your hand etc) OR
b. Your Selfie. This photo should be uploaded with your log and must not show the answer to the question above (spoilers will result in your log being deleted)