Featured Stories
Smithsonian Scientists Resolve the Hawaiian Honeycreeper Family Tree
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSjou) -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian Scientists Resolve the Hawaiian Honeycreeper Family Tree
Family Tree Includes All Species Known at the Time of European Arrival to the Hawaiian Islands
-
Smithsonian researchers have identified the genetic relationships among all the Hawaiian honeycreeper species that were known to exist--and have subsequently faced major losses--since the arrival of Europeans to the islands. The study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by scientists at the Smithsonian's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSjou) -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian Scientists Resolve the Hawaiian Honeycreeper Family Tree
Family Tree Includes All Species Known at the Time of European Arrival to the Hawaiian Islands
-
Smithsonian researchers have identified the genetic relationships among all the Hawaiian honeycreeper species that were known to exist--and have subsequently faced major losses--since the arrival of Europeans to the islands. The study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by scientists at the Smithsonian'sNational Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and the National Museum of Natural History, places extinct and extant species of this famously diverse group of birds in their evolutionary context, informing diversity loss studies and potential conservation priorities.
More than 60 Hawaiian honeycreeper species evolved from a single ancestor on the Hawaiian Islands across a relatively small time window, making them a prime example of adaptive radiation, the rapid diversification of one species into many new ones. When a species diversifies this quickly, it can be challenging to build a comprehensive family tree and accurately measure subsequent biodiversity loss. This problem is coming to a head today as only 17 Hawaiian honeycreeper species are still alive, with most facing extinction due to habitat loss, introduced diseases, invasive predators and climate change. To address this challenge, the Smithsonian team used genetic methods to resolve the relationships among the 17 living species, plus an additional 18 that existed when Europeans first arrived at the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 and two that are only known from fossil bones.
"The findings are bittersweet because while we have a much better understanding of the relationships between the Hawaiian honeycreepers and the role hybridization played in their evolution, they also show we have lost more Hawaiian honeycreeper lineages than we previously knew," said Michael Campana, genomicist at NZCBI and lead author of the study.
The research team presents the first comprehensive map of the Hawaiian honeycreeper radiation. They found that most species originated during a "big bang" of diversification that took place approximately 2.5-3.5 million years ago, around the same time that the island of O'ahu formed. The team speculates this period facilitated a burst of diversification among honeycreepers because the new island afforded them unoccupied habitats with room to form multiple, distinct populations that then contributed their new genetic material back to other lineages on older islands. While breeding between two animals of different species is often a genetic dead end, the team confirmed genetic mixing between two honeycreeper species, 'o'u (Psittirostra psittacea) and Lana'i hookbill (Dysmorodrepanis munroi), and that a group of closely related honeycreepers called 'amakihi (Chlorodrepanis spp.), which occupied different islands, continue to share genetic material today.
Researchers were able to gain a fuller understanding of the honeycreeper radiation by using minimally invasive techniques to collect samples from extant and extinct species held within museum collections in the United States and Europe. The work demonstrates the crucial nature of museum and paleontological specimens for genomics research.
"I marvel at the amount of genetic data that my colleagues recovered from tiny bits of epidermis cut from old museum specimens of extinct honeycreepers," said Helen James, curator of birds and the chair of vertebrate zoology at the National Museum of Natural History. "They even succeeded at getting genetic data out of small fossil bones of the honeycreepers. This really highlights how improvements in genetic sequencing have transformed traditional natural history museum collections into vast repositories of historical and comparative genetic information. This is especially true for birds and mammals, which were often preserved in the form of dried skins and bones, and we are now good at getting DNA from those types of specimens."
As the team looks ahead, they are focused on investigating the impacts, evolution and control of introduced diseases that have decimated honeycreeper populations, including avipoxvirus and avian malaria. Specifically, they are seeking to understand how both the birds and the pathogens have evolved since the diseases' introductions.
"The genomic data we generated for this study should also be useful for understanding the morphological evolution of the honeycreepers, as well as to offer clues about how the genomic variation of some honeycreeper species may have influenced their ability to survive disease," said Robert Fleischer, scientist emeritus at NZCBI and senior author of the study.
* * *
About the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global effort to save species, better understand ecosystems and train future generations of conservationists. Its two campuses are home to some of the world's most critically endangered species. Always free of charge, the Zoo's 163-acre park in the heart of Washington, D.C., features 2,200 animals representing 400 species and is a popular destination for children and families. At the Conservation Biology Institute's 3,200-acre campus in Virginia, breeding and veterinary research on 264 animals representing 20 species provide critical data for the management of animals in human care and valuable insights for conservation of wild populations. NZCBI's more than 300 staff and scientists work in Washington, D.C., Virginia and with partners at field sites across the United States and in more than 30 countries to save wildlife, collaborate with communities and conserve native habitats. NZCBI is a long-standing accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
* * *
About the National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is connecting people everywhere with Earth's unfolding story. It is one of the most visited natural history museums in the world. Opened in 1910, the museum is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the world's most extensive collection of natural history specimens and human artifacts. The museum is open daily, except Dec. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the museum on its website, blog, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
* * *
View journal here: https://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2536533123
* * *
Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-scientists-resolve-hawaiian-honeycreeper-family-tree
IDB Presents Reform Agenda to Boost Worker Productivity and Well-Being
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
IDB Presents Reform Agenda to Boost Worker Productivity and Well-Being
A new publication shows that it is possible to simultaneously improve worker productivity, increase pay, and enhance social protection.
-
A new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report proposes a comprehensive reform agenda to boost worker productivity while improving wages and working conditions, thereby increasing growth and reducing inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The study, Making Labor Markets
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
IDB Presents Reform Agenda to Boost Worker Productivity and Well-Being
A new publication shows that it is possible to simultaneously improve worker productivity, increase pay, and enhance social protection.
-
A new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report proposes a comprehensive reform agenda to boost worker productivity while improving wages and working conditions, thereby increasing growth and reducing inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The study, Making Labor MarketsWork: Improving Productivity and Workers' Welfare in Latin America and the Caribbean (https://publications.iadb.org/en/making-labor-markets-work-improving-productivity-and-workers-welfare-latin-america-and-caribbean), highlights how labor policies and social protection systems that discourage the creation of formal, productive jobs are a major cause of two of the region's challenges: slow productivity growth and high inequality.
The study presents the most complete analysis of labor markets in Latin America and the Caribbean to date, drawing on three decades of data, an exhaustive review of labor institutions, and empirical evidence on the effectiveness of public policies. It argues that the region does not have to choose between improving workers' productivity or their well-being because well-designed reforms can simultaneously boost growth, increase wages, and reduce informal employment.
The report's reform agenda also tackles the most influential topics for the future of work: labor regulations and compliance, social protection, collective bargaining, workforce training, and active labor market policies.
Among the report's key proposals is to decouple social protection from employment status. The study recommends financing healthcare and protection against poverty in later life through general taxation rather than payroll contributions, which are de facto taxes on formal employment.
The report also recommends adapting labor regulations to an increasingly diverse reality with different modes of work and less stable career paths. This requires strengthening the institutions that govern collective bargaining to ensure the rules are enforced impartially for both businesses and unions.
Another key element of the agenda is to strengthen workforce training, expand on-the-job learning opportunities, and improve employment policies to better connect workers and employers.
The study outlines a roadmap to implementing the reform agenda in a gradual and fiscally responsible way, but it also warns of the growing costs of postponing the reforms given the population aging, technological transformation, and low economic growth in the region.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-presents-reform-agenda-boost-worker-productivity-and-well-being
IDB Group Expands Support for Uruguay to $5 Billion for 2026-2030 Under New Country Strategy
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
IDB Group Expands Support for Uruguay to $5 Billion for 2026-2030 Under New Country Strategy
MONTEVIDEO -- The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) plans to expand its support to Uruguay to $5 billion for 2026-2030 based on three pillars established in the new Country Strategy: accelerating investment through support for innovation and competitiveness, strengthening citizen security and public well-being, and improving mobility and public services.
The ambitious Country Strategy
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
IDB Group Expands Support for Uruguay to $5 Billion for 2026-2030 Under New Country Strategy
MONTEVIDEO -- The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) plans to expand its support to Uruguay to $5 billion for 2026-2030 based on three pillars established in the new Country Strategy: accelerating investment through support for innovation and competitiveness, strengthening citizen security and public well-being, and improving mobility and public services.
The ambitious Country Strategywas launched by IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn and President of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi during a meeting in Montevideo that marked a new chapter in the Group's close partnership with the country.
"Uruguay has a unique opportunity to transform its institutional and macroeconomic stability into a platform for growth, greater well-being, and innovation. The IDB Group is ready to support this new phase with a stronger focus on impact and a shared agenda: greater security for families, enhanced competitiveness for businesses, and better opportunities for people and investment," said Goldfajn.
During his visit to Montevideo, President Goldfajn also met with Minister of Economy and Finance Gabriel Oddone and Minister of the Interior Carlos Negro. The agenda also includes the event "Uruguay as a Regional Innovation Platform: Results, Challenges, and Opportunities" and a meeting with more than 100 business leaders to discuss investments and IDB Invest's support for the private sector.
The IDB Group's support for Uruguay combines sovereign financing, private-sector support, and technical cooperation under the 2026-2030 Country Strategy, which was recently approved and jointly developed with the Uruguayan government. This year, the IDB Group expects to provide a record $1.65 billion in financing, more than three times the amount approved last year.
The Country Strategy envisions nearly $5 billion in investments, combining financing for the public sector, businesses, and innovation, exceeding the original projection of $4.2 billion.
The IDB Group's new roadmap with Uruguay is built around three pillars:
Supporting Innovation and Competitiveness
* On Monday, a $20 million financing agreement was signed for Uruguay's Internationalization Promotion Program.
* Plans also include a Bioeconomy and Agri-Food Innovation Programme, which is part of an overall productivity development plan of the country.
* There are negotiations for a new policy-based program to prepare the country and businesses for the opportunities of the European Union-Mercosur Agreement and of the country's rapprochement with the OECD. The total for this pillar amounts to $400 million.
* IDB Lab, the innovation and venture capital arm of the IDB Group, currently has a portfolio of 75 active operations in Uruguay.
* In addition, the IDB is working with Uruguay's Central Bank (BCU) and Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to develop capital markets and expand long-term financing options under more favorable conditions for investment.
Strengthening Citizen Security and Well-Being
* Security is a priority for the government of Uruguay. During the visit, a $25 million operation was signed under a $200 million credit line to improve the effectiveness of the prison system, strengthen the National Police, and support police training in criminal investigation and analysis. In addition, a technical cooperation program was launched to support the National Public Security Plan and the Office of the Attorney General.
* The IDB and the government are also collaborating on a new $150 million program to support implementation of the National Public Security Plan and provide additional financing for the Comprehensive Citizen Security Program II.
* The total IDB Group support for security reaches $350 million.
* For the social welfare pillar, the IDB Group works with the Government to advance projects to contribute to reducing child poverty and advancing the quality of education..
Improving Mobility and Public Services
* In June, the IDB approved a $70 million operation to support integrated development and expand access to housing, basic services, and opportunities for children, adolescents, migrants, and vulnerable households.
* This year, the IDB is working on a $200 million operation to improve the quality of spending for transportation infrastructure and support the transformation of Montevideo's metropolitan transportation system. In addition, the Bank is seeking to advance another partnership focused on water security, with financing of $51 million.
* Collaboration is also being explored to expand electricity networks and strengthen energy security through support of approximately $80 million. Through IDB Invest, the IDB Group has a long track record of operations with the private sector in transportation, energy, and sanitation and remains open to new opportunities in these sectors.
* * *
About the IDB Group
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is the leading source of financing and knowledge for improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. It comprises the IDB, which works with the region's public sector and enables the private sector; IDB Invest, which directly supports private companies and projects; and IDB Lab, which spurs entrepreneurial innovation.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-group-expands-support-uruguay-5-billion-2026-2030-under-new-country-strategy
EPA's Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Summer Sampling of Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA's Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Summer Sampling of Great Lakes
*
CHICAGO (August 3, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) largest research vessel, the Lake Guardian, began its month-long summer survey of water quality and food-web conditions in all five Great Lakes. Data collected will help protect human health and the environment by safeguarding water quality for drinking and recreation, assessing ecosystem stressors, and managing fisheries.
The summer survey
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA's Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Summer Sampling of Great Lakes
*
CHICAGO (August 3, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) largest research vessel, the Lake Guardian, began its month-long summer survey of water quality and food-web conditions in all five Great Lakes. Data collected will help protect human health and the environment by safeguarding water quality for drinking and recreation, assessing ecosystem stressors, and managing fisheries.
The summer surveyoffers a critical assessment of lake conditions when warmer surface water overlays colder bottom water-conditions which influence nutrient and oxygen levels, algal growth, organism distribution, and fish habitat.
Joining EPA's scientists during the survey will be scientists from Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Natural Resources Research Institute, Buffalo State University, Cornell University, Michigan Technological Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Chicago, Cleveland State University, Michigan State University, and University of Michigan.
The Lake Guardian has been busy with several Great Lakes monitoring efforts this year:
* April: the Lake Guardian conducted a spring survey of water quality and food-web conditions when lake temperatures were at their coldest.
* May - July: EPA scientists aboard the ship sampled Lake Michigan for water quality, zooplankton and fish larvae through six separate surveys. This collaboration with U.S. Geological Survey and other partners allowed scientists to evaluate food resources for larval fish and track populations and growth rates.
* May - September: the research vessel monitors oxygen and temperature profiles in the central basin of Lake Erie to assess water quality trends and measure progress made to achieve improvements. This snapshot determines how much oxygen is available for fish and invertebrates to breathe.
* July: Fifteen educators from across the Great Lakes basin participated in a Lake Superior sampling exercise as part of the annual Shipboard Science Immersion partnership between EPA and NOAA Sea Grant. Educators are encouraged to learn from the experience to build Great Lakes literacy in their classrooms.
EPA has conducted biannual sampling surveys since 1983, maintaining the longest-running and most extensive monitoring dataset for water quality and aquatic biota in the Great Lakes. The Lake Guardian is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was launched in 2010 to protect and restore the world's largest surface freshwater ecosystem.
Read more about EPA's Great Lakes monitoring programs.
Follow EPA Region 5 on Instagram, XExit EPA's website and visit our FacebookExit EPA's website page. For more information about EPA Region 5, visit our website.
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epas-research-vessel-lake-guardian-begins-summer-sampling-great-lakes
STRI Special Events, July 2026
PANAMA CITY, Panama, Aug. 1 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
* * *
STRI special events, July 2026
Annual Fellows Symposium, RaMP-UP Symposium, STRI at the Smithsonian National Education Summit, Congratulations Rachel Page, and more!
Great STRI BBQ
Staff enjoyed the GREAT STRI BBQ 2026, held on the grounds of the Tupper Auditorium, during an afternoon filled with great food, camaraderie, and entertainment. Attendees shared hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks, and delicious entries from the BBQ competition while enjoying exciting World Cup matches on a giant
... Show Full Article
PANAMA CITY, Panama, Aug. 1 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
* * *
STRI special events, July 2026
Annual Fellows Symposium, RaMP-UP Symposium, STRI at the Smithsonian National Education Summit, Congratulations Rachel Page, and more!
Great STRI BBQ
Staff enjoyed the GREAT STRI BBQ 2026, held on the grounds of the Tupper Auditorium, during an afternoon filled with great food, camaraderie, and entertainment. Attendees shared hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks, and delicious entries from the BBQ competition while enjoying exciting World Cup matches on a giantscreen. With music, laughter, and a festive atmosphere, the event provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen connections and celebrate the spirit of community that defines STRI. As part of the festivities, the highly anticipated BBQ Competition took place, with the Black Team taking first place, the Blue Team earning second place, and the Green Team receiving third place honors.
* * *
STRI Annual Fellows and Interns Symposium
A day of discovery and scientific exchange at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's Annual Fellows and Interns Symposium. Held in the Tupper Auditorium, the event featured research presentations and poster sessions highlighting the work of our talented fellows and interns.
* * *
STRI RaMP-UP Symposium
After a year of immersive research and discovery, fellows in STRI's RaMP-UP program presented their work during a symposium highlighting advances in tropical biodiversity science. The fellowship connects recent biology graduates with world-class mentors, field and lab projects, and professional development experiences in Panama.
* * *
Strengthening Connections with Academic and Internship Programs
Christian Kameni and Dora Blair, representatives of the Smithsonian's Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (OAAI), visited Punta Culebra as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen connections with the institution's academic and internship programs.
* * *
Q?Bus Returns to Nurum
For the second consecutive year, the Q?Bus Program and the Reforestation Initiative brought science activities to schools and communities in the Nurum district of the Ngabe-Bugle Comarca. Through hands-on, interactive experiences, participants explored the role of trees in the carbon cycle and learned methods for estimating carbon storage in native species.
* * *
Ponte Q?rioso Celebrates World Snake Day
As part of World Snake Day celebrations, visitors to Punta Culebra met Titanoboa, a giant prehistoric snake that lived millions of years ago. Through interactive activities and educational materials, participants learned about its characteristics, adaptations, and the role of snakes in Earth's history.
* * *
STRI at the Smithsonian National Education Summit
For the first time, STRI participated as an exhibitor at the Smithsonian National Education Summit. Through an interactive display, attending educators learned about the Smithsonian's presence beyond the United States and explored the tropical research conducted in Panama. The event also featured educational resources, including digital games and bilingual posters.
* * *
Entangled Waters: Art and Ecology in Bocas del Toro
Artist and biologist Miles Thompson shared insights into his project Entangled Waters: Art and Ecology in Bocas del Toro during a special presentation at STRI's Earl S. Tupper Exhibit Hall. The talk explored the mangrove, coral reef, and seagrass ecosystems of Bocas del Toro through the lens of art and science, followed by an exhibition of works created during his residency.
* * *
Postdoc Writing Retreat
STRI postdoctoral researchers gathered for a three-day Writing Retreat dedicated to advancing manuscripts, grant proposals, and research projects. Through focused writing sessions, peer support, and professional exchange, participants worked toward individual goals while fostering collaboration and scientific productivity.
* * *
Great honor for Rachel Page
Congratulations to STRI Staff Scientist, STRI Animal Behavior Center Director, and Smithsonian Bat Lab Principal Investigator Dr. Rachel Page, who was elected a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society at the society's annual conference in Cincinnati. This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to the field of animal behavior and her pioneering research on animal cognition, perception, and communication, as well as her dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists.
* * *
Microscopy Workshop at STRI
Researchers, technicians, students, and support staff participated in a Microscopy Workshop organized by STRI's Scientific Support Department. Led by microscopy specialist Didio Arauz of BioLab S.A., the hands-on training provided participants with practical experience in microscopy, imaging systems, and image analysis techniques to support high-quality scientific research.
STRI at ICRS 2026
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) shared their latest findings on coral reef ecology, resilience, and conservation at the 2026 International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Auckland, New Zealand. Through presentations and a scientific poster, STRI researchers highlighted studies conducted in Panama that explore historical and modern responses of coral reef ecosystems to environmental change, contributing valuable knowledge for the conservation and management of marine biodiversity worldwide.
* * *
Original text here: https://stri.si.edu/story/stri-special-events-july-2026
National Gallery of Art: Women and the Index of American Design
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release on July 31, 2026:
* * *
Women and the Index of American Design
National Gallery of Art, Washington, January 16-June 6, 2027
Between 1935 and 1942, the US government commissioned over 18,000 watercolors from roughly 1,000 artists to create a comprehensive visual resource of American folk, decorative, and industrial art. Known as the Index of American Design, the initiative was one of many Federal Art Projects undertaken during the Great Depression. The project sought to document and preserve an ancestral aesthetic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release on July 31, 2026:
* * *
Women and the Index of American Design
National Gallery of Art, Washington, January 16-June 6, 2027
Between 1935 and 1942, the US government commissioned over 18,000 watercolors from roughly 1,000 artists to create a comprehensive visual resource of American folk, decorative, and industrial art. Known as the Index of American Design, the initiative was one of many Federal Art Projects undertaken during the Great Depression. The project sought to document and preserve an ancestral aestheticfor the United States, and to provide a foundation for building a truly American modern art tradition. The National Gallery of Art became the steward of this important collection in 1943. The first exhibition to focus on women's contributions to the project, Women and the Index of American Design showcases some 60 watercolors made by some 50 of the women who played a pivotal role in this patriotic effort. In addition, the exhibition will feature archival material, photographs, and technical studies from the project.
The focused installation highlights watercolors by Hal Blakeley, Rose Campbell-Gerke, Lucille Chabot, Suzanne Chapman, Dorothy Hay, Elizabeth Moutal, Selma Sandler, and Carmel Wilson, among others. The watercolors capture household objects selected as emblems of American design history--including embroideries, quilt designs, toys, and weather vanes. Carefully rendered and richly colored, these works reflect the objects' original purpose and serve as a lasting visual record of the evolution of American design.
About the Index of American Design
The Index of American Design was an ambitious, government-sponsored, national art project that operated under the auspices of the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration. Described as a "great collaborative enterprise" by Holger Cahill, director of the Federal Art Project, the Index was active in 34 states and the District of Columbia between 1935 and 1942. It engaged some 1,000 artists--many struggling to find work during the Great Depression--who executed more than 18,000 watercolor renderings of applied, decorative, and folk art objects. This comprehensive, researched, visual resource charts the development of American design from the colonial period through the 19th century, identifying sources and trends while preserving design history.
Through every phase of the project, women played a central role. Artist Ruth Reeves (1892-1966) conceived the Index in collaboration with Romana Javitz (1903-1980), picture librarian at the New York Public Library. The renowned cultural historian Constance Rourke (1885-1941) served as the Index's first national editor, directing the selection and research of objects to be illustrated. Artist-illustrator Suzanne Chapman (1904-1990) was primarily responsible for codifying and teaching the watercolor techniques used to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the renderings. The Index offered more opportunities to more American women artists than other programs in the Federal Art Project did, including leadership roles as state supervisors. More than 300 women artists created renderings for the Index.
Exhibition Organization and Support
Women and the Index of American Design is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Exhibition Curator
The exhibition is curated by Amy Johnston, associate curator, division of prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art.
In the Library: Reimagining America by Design
The National Gallery of Art Library presents In the Library: Reimagining America by Design, a collaboration with the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at George Washington University that began in spring 2026 and continued through the summer. The students used the Index of American Design collections and related resources held in the National Gallery of Art Library and the National Gallery's archives to pair reproductions and archival materials with their own drawings, 3D- printed replicas, and trading cards. In the final group projects, students were asked to design installations for the library cases at the National Gallery. The initial concepts resulted in two separate themed installations.
The first, Research & Process (August 31-October 30, 2026) presents a selection of discoveries the students made while working with the Index of American Design. Focusing on the learning and research methodologies developed in their course, the students combined information from the library and archives with their own materials. Work & Play (November 2-December 31, 2026) explores a selection of objects from the Index of American Design that were made for children. It combines reproductions of the Index of American Design watercolors, archival photos and data sheets from the archives, brochures and catalogs from the library with the students' reinterpretations of these objects.
Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, this installation is curated by Jet Inglis, Gabi Maldonado, Gigi Pilla, Abby Turner, Sophia Wegmann-Gatarz, and Polyxeni Ziazia in collaboration with Kara Braciale, professorial lecturer at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at George Washington University and Matthew Westerby, digital research officer for the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art.
In the Library: Reimagining America by Design is on view from August 31-December 31, 2026, in the East Building Library Atrium from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
On October 3, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the National Gallery will host a hands-on event, Improve the Internet: Drop-in Wikipedia Editing, as part of First Saturdays. Explore the various collections, archives, and library resources that inspired our student curators--and any other resources that inspire you. Bring a laptop, mobile device, or use our computers to edit art-related Wikipedia pages. Volunteers from Wikimedia DC will be on-site for tips and guidance.
* * *
About the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through its doors each year--with even more online--making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. The National Gallery's renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/women-and-index-american-design
Founding Gift Establishes Smithsonian STARS Program in Delaware in Honor of Rev. Barbara Louise Hebner
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Aug. 1 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
* * *
Founding Gift Establishes Smithsonian STARS Program in Delaware in Honor of Rev. Barbara Louise Hebner
The gift will provide telescopes and lesson plans for each rural public school in Delaware
-
A founding gift from longtime Smithsonian supporter Laura Peebles and the Barbara Hebner Charitable Fund at Vanguard Charitable will launch the Smithsonian Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools (STARS) program to serve rural communities across Delaware.
The gift honors
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Aug. 1 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
* * *
Founding Gift Establishes Smithsonian STARS Program in Delaware in Honor of Rev. Barbara Louise Hebner
The gift will provide telescopes and lesson plans for each rural public school in Delaware
-
A founding gift from longtime Smithsonian supporter Laura Peebles and the Barbara Hebner Charitable Fund at Vanguard Charitable will launch the Smithsonian Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools (STARS) program to serve rural communities across Delaware.
The gift honorsthe memory of Peebles's mother, Unitarian Universalist minister Reverend Barbara Louise Hebner.
"Reverend Barbara Hebner loved visiting schools to talk about being a 'computer,'---doing the math required to calculate data and create curves and graphs to understand flight data for experimental aircraft," said Peebles's sister, Heather Petit, on behalf of the family.
With the funding, each rural public school in the state will receive a telescope, lesson plans, and access to stargazing parties with family members.
"She would bring her slide rules to show how people computed data before calculators and computer equipment took over," Petit said.
The Smithsonian STARS program brings standards-aligned astronomy and space science experiences to students and educators in rural communities. Founded by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the STARS program will provide telescopes, lesson plans, and special events for every rural school in Delaware.
"Thanks to Laura and her family, young people in Delaware will now have access to exactly the kind of programs that would have meant so much to Reverend Hebner," said Emma Marcucci, Executive Director of the STARS program. "We are deeply grateful for this support."
Looking back on her life, Hebner often reflected that if she were born today, she would have become an astrophysicist, her family said. She didn't have that opportunity growing up, but that didn't stop her interest in the wonders of the universe.
Even in her final days, she kept up with the latest astronomy news: the last article she read, just weeks before she died at 90 years old, was about the latest findings from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Peebles noted that she and the 13 members of her immediate family, including six children and seven grandchildren, would all have loved having access to a program like STARS when they were in school.
In addition to funding STARS in Delaware, the Barbara Hebner Charitable Fund is establishing a new internship endowment that will support a student from a Delaware college or university each year at one of the Smithsonian's science museums or research centers. The internship will provide meaningful, mentored experience in scientific research or science communication.
* * *
About Smithsonian STARS
Founded by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), Smithsonian STARS (Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools) is a nationwide, strategic investment in the future of rural education, designed to inspire the next generation of explorers by providing telescopes, teacher training, star parties, and projects for K-12 classes that are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and plug into each state's science curriculum. By leveraging the incredible dark skies over rural communities, Smithsonian STARS is expanding access to and understanding of the spectacular night skies that shine over rural America.
* * *
About the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is the largest research center of the Smithsonian Institution and part of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, the largest astrophysics research center in the world. The Observatory has been a pioneer in space exploration and discovery since its founding in 1890. Today, SAO performs groundbreaking astronomical research; operates multiple satellites, including NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory; and runs the Minor Planet Center that tracks all known asteroids in the solar system.
* * *
About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory designed to ask, and ultimately answer, humanity's greatest unresolved questions about the universe.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/news/founding-gift-establishes-smithsonian-stars-program-delaware-honor-rev-barbara-louise-hebner
