United States Exploring Expedition (Wilkes Expedition) Pacific Botanical Collections (1838–1842)

1. Congress authorizes a U.S. Pacific exploring mission

   Jan 1, 1836Labels: U S, Pacific Expedition

   • NMAH
   • SIA Featured

2. The expedition sails from Hampton Roads

   Aug 18, 1838Labels: Hampton Roads, Charles Wilkes

   • SIA Featured
   • SmithsonianMag

3. Scientists begin systematic plant collecting overseas

   Jan 1, 1839Labels: Expedition botanists, Specimen preservation

   • SIA Expedition
   • SIA RU007186

4. Antarctic coastal voyage supports a continental Antarctica

   Jan 19, 1840Labels: Antarctic survey, Charles Wilkes

   • SIA Expedition
   • SmithsonianMag

5. South Pacific surveys expand island plant collections

   Jun 1, 1840Labels: South Pacific, Island flora

   • SIA Expedition
   • SIA RU007186

6. Squadron departs Honolulu for the Pacific Northwest

   Apr 5, 1841Labels: Honolulu, Pacific Northwest

   • USExEx SIL
   • Wikipedia

7. USS Peacock wrecks entering the Columbia River

   Jul 18, 1841Labels: USS Peacock, Columbia River

   • HistoryLink
   • SIA RU007186

8. Surveys and collecting proceed in Oregon Country

   Aug 1, 1841Labels: Puget Sound, Oregon Country

   • OHS Project
   • HistoryLink

9. Expedition returns to New York City

   Jun 10, 1842Labels: Vincennes, New York

   • SIA Expedition
   • The Dial 1842

10. Wilkes’s narrative volumes are published

    Jan 1, 1844Labels: Wilkes Narrative, Publication

    • NMAH
    • BHL

11. Expedition plant specimens become a foundation collection

    Jan 1, 1848Labels: U S, Wilkes collections

    • US Natl Herb
    • SIL Resources

12. Botanical results begin appearing in official reports

    Jan 1, 1854Labels: Asa Gray, William Brackenridge

    • SIL Overstreet
    • SLA Digital

13. Congress funds transfer of collections to Smithsonian

    Mar 3, 1857Labels: U S, Smithsonian Institution

    • SIA SIC 676
    • SIL Walsh