American Corner Gyumri

Embassy General Services Officer Presents the Smithsonian Institute

3:00pm 13.05.2009

On Wednesday May 13, 2009, U.S. Embassy General Services Officer Charles Clegg gave a public lecture about the Smithsonian Institute. Mr. Clegg discussed the history of the Smithsonian and the work that it does today. He noted that the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum complex and research organization composed of 19 museums, libraries, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo. It has more than 136 million objects, works of art and specimens. The Institute has also had more than 172 million website hits and publishes a monthly magazine.

Mr. Clegg described five principal museums, the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, National Air and Space Museum, and the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udzar-Hazy Center. In addition to a slide show, he also demonstrated some web links inviting attendees to take a virtual tour through the National Zoo.

Twelve students from the Gyumri Pedagogical University attended the lecture. Among the participants was a finalist of the UGRAD 2009 program who will soon travel to Washington D.C. and will visit some of the Smithsonian museums.