The #MuseumWeek celebration of museums worldwide is back! The first of 7 daily themes is one of “beginning,” i.e., #OnceUponATimeMW. We’re jumping in with a thread on the backstory of our own @InteriorMuseum. (1/9) In 1935, the @Interior’s responsibilities are expanding and have outgrown its WWI-era HQ building. 32nd Interior Secretary Harold Ickes endeavors to build a new HQ – the 1st federal building in Washington DC to be fully conceptualized & built in the FDR administration. (2/9)

Each year, @InteriorMuseum places ribbons alongside the official portraits of @Interior secretaries who are veterans of U.S. armed forces. In this thread, we’ll be sharing details of their service with you.

#ArchivesHashtagParty #ArchivesVeterans #VeteransDay
(Thread 1/17) 10th @Interior secretary Jacob Cox was a major general in the Union Army during the Civil War and fought in several key campaigns, including at Antietam. In his later years, he penned several memoirs and military histories about the Civil War.

#ArchivesVeterans (INTR 01614)

Happy #NationalBisonDay! In addition to being our national mammal, the bison has long been a symbol of @Interior and appears in art and architectural details throughout our main headquarters building in Washington, DC. Let's take a #BisonTour to explore! (1/15)
📷USFWS/A. Forrest #DidYouKnow that the @Interior's official seal has included a bison almost continuously since 1917? (It used to be an 🦅in varying poses). Pictured here from our museum collection is the die for the 1st bison seal in 1917 (INTR 01970).

#BisonTour (2/15)

Welcome! I'm Tracy Baetz, Chief Curator here @Interior & today we’re excited for the virtual launch of “Thomas Moran & the ‘Big Picture.’” The masterpieces -"The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone” & “The Chasm of the Colorado”- have returned for the 1st time in 2 decades In capturing the natural beauty of @YellowstoneNPS & @GrandCanyonNPS, these monumental canvases shaped many people’s impressions of the American West in the 1870’s & forever framed the discourse surrounding public lands. #BigPictureMorans

🐾 It's #NationalPetMonth, so we're going behind-the-scenes for some Friday fun to introduce you to a few @InteriorMuseum staffers' furry fur-ends (ehm..."co-workers"). Meet Tybalt, Han & Leia, and Oscar & Mayer! (thread 1/6) Tybalt is a 15-lb domestic shorthair cat. ~4 yrs ago he showed up looking for food & snuggles and found his forever home. He likes walking on trails with his humans and even has whistle recall! Guilty pleasures? Hanging out in a hammock and an occasional snack of popcorn.🍿
(2/6)

#OnThisDate in 1936, a public ceremony was held for laying the cornerstone of @Interior's current headquarters building (Federal Public Works Project No. 4).

(Thread 1/5) #MuseumMoment #MuseumFromHome #VirtualVisit #OTD

📷 INTR 07449 Various dignitaries were in attendance, including President Franklin Roosevelt, architect Waddy Wood, Interior Secretary Harold Ickes (left), and chair of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission Frederic A. Delano (right).

(2/5)

📷 INTR 07447

The #MuseumMoment slated to be happening now at @InteriorMuseum has been indefinitely postponed, but our registrar Jason Jurgena still wanted to share with you some of what he'd prepared. READ ON 👇 (thread 1/6) #MuseumFromHome In 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of his New Deal program, sending millions of jobless Americans back to work during the Great Depression. (2/6)

Happening now @InteriorMuseum: @USFWS historian Mark Madison joins us to share the history of wildlife conservation in 10 objects. First up: fish car chinaware... Next up...law enforcement badges and a refuge sign

Happening now @InteriorMuseum: Yupik master carver Ben Pungowiyi, plus Indian Arts and Crafts Board specialists Ken Van Wey and Lars Krutak share the history and contemporary issues surrounding Alaska Native ivory carving. Ben Pungowiyi has traveled here from Savoonga, Alaska!

Happening now @InteriorMuseum: Dr. Levi Brekke speaks on @usbr's research and development efforts in support of managing water in the West. Tools include funded research projects, prize competitions, and technology transfer with industry.

Happening now @InteriorMuseum: Mark Bathrick with @Interior''s UAS Program talks about >12,000 successful flights helping the field. "Drones for Good" --- there are approximately 400 in @Interior's unmanned fleet.