Smithsonian pays tribute to its first Black employee

Jet, July 19, 2004

* SMITHSONIAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS FIRST BLACK EMPLOYEE: Gail Lowe, a senior historian with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., recites poetry of Solomon G. Brown, the first Black employee of the Smithsonian Institution (inset) who was recently remembered at the institution's National Museum of Natural History as it marked its 100th anniversary.

Brown, who was present at the 1904 groundbreaking, was a self-taught natural historian and prolific poet who worked for the Smithsonian for more than 50 years. A Cedar of Lebanon tree was planted in tribute to the memory of Brown who was a lover of greenery and trees. Looking on are his descendants (l-r) Darryl Brandon Payne and Clara Ellis Payne, as well as museum director Cristian Samper and Smithsonian Under Secretary for Science David Evans. The Natural History Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Its displays range from the fossils of dinosaurs to the Hope Diamond. It also houses the largest museum research staff in the world.