Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

The Property Contract that Sheds New Light on James Smithson's Gift to the Smithsonian

The Hungerford Deed, a 1787 property contract donated to the Smithsonian Institution Archives in 2019, offers a unique glimpse at the family dynamics that shaped James Smithson into our founding donor. An upcoming web exhibition and program provide opportunities to learn more about this intriguing document.