In Good Company ...

Last year, in an unprecedented move, the Smithsonian Institution, the premier museum of American culture, technology, and history, granted affiliate status to the planned Nevada Atomic Testing History Institute (NATHI) museum at DRI's Southern Nevada Science Center in Las Vegas. This wasn't the first time the Smithsonian has affiliated itself with unique historical organizations around the country. In fact, 92 American cultural institutions in 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have joined the Smithsonian Affiliations program since it was established in 1997. However, Troy Wade, chairman of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, believes it is the first time affiliate status has been granted "before an organization opened its doors-or before it even had doors, for that matter!" J. Michael Carrigan, the Smithsonian's Director of the Affiliations Program, says the affiliation will allow the new NATHI museum to receive collections on long-term loan, to exhibit traveling shows, and to participate in a variety of Smithsonian programs. "Through the Affiliations Program, the Smithsonian is able to explore many new opportunities for collaborative partnerships with museums across the country," he says. "This really gives the Smithsonian an opportunity to give the public access to many items that we just don't have room to display in our galleries in Washington, D.C., and a way for the atomic testing museum to easily enhance and add variety to its exhibitions." Carrigan says the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) has been connecting communities to the Smithsonian for more than 50 years. In 2000, SITES sent 47 exhibitions to 163 locales, reaching about five million people.