For immediate release:

Contact:
Kristin Aguilera
Museum of American Financial History
Communications Director
212-908-4695
kaguilera@financialhistory.org

SMITHSONIAN RECOGNIZES WALL STREET'S HISTORY
Finance Museum to be designated an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution at history-making Nasdaq event

Financial District, New York City - Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lawrence M. Small will honor Wall Street's "American dream" story -- and recognize the New York City Museum devoted to that story -- by announcing a new affiliation between the nation's museum and the Museum of American Financial History on January 16, 2001. The official designation will be made at 4 p.m. from the broadcast studio of the Nasdaq MarketSite on Times Square.

The event will make history as Secretary Small and Museum Chair John E. Herzog inaugurate a new financial markets tradition. They will be the first to ceremonially transition the Nasdaq from the close of the regular trading day to the opening of extended trading hours.

"We are honored to have Secretary Small and Mr. Herzog be the first to preside over the first Nasdaq Market Transition and wish the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of American Financial History much success in their affiliation. It is certainly noteworthy that two fine organizations with a tradition of studying history are today making market history," said J. Patrick Campbell, President of Nasdaq U.S.

The Smithsonian Affiliations program was designed to draw museums closer to the Smithsonian -- and draw the Smithsonian closer to America -- by sharing the Institution's collections and resources. Small, a Wall Street veteran who served nine years as President and COO of Fannie Mae and 27 years at Citicorp/Citibank, has made the affiliations program a top priority since his installation as Secretary of the Smithsonian in January 2000.

"I am looking forward to being part of this momentous day for Nasdaq, the promoter of our nation's economic treasures. And I am doubly pleased to announce the Smithsonian's new affiliations agreement with the Museum of American Financial History, the nation's only museum dedicated to teaching the lessons of financial history," said Secretary Small. "Working together, we will tell the stories of our nation's financial past and help today's citizens take control of their financial future. Working together, we will enhance every American's understanding of our economic system -- why it is the most successful in the world and how it forms the foundation of our democracy."

The Museum of American Financial History will inaugurate its Smithsonian affiliation with the installation of "The Artistry of African Currency," a traveling exhibition curated by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art and sponsored by Investec Ernst & Company, a South Africa-based investment firm, in its Financial District gallery.

"This exhibit is a wonderful example of how the Smithsonian partnership will help us expand our storytelling, broaden our reach, and more effectively communicate a positive message of financial empowerment," said Brian Thompson, executive director of the Museum of American Financial History.

The Museum is the nation's only independent public museum dedicated to the history of growth, opportunity and entrepreneurship in our democratic free market economy. It serves members, visitors to its gallery and website, and program participants nationwide with exhibits, events, publications and scholarly resources. Educational programming promotes financial literacy and empowerment, drawing upon the Museum's unsurpassed document collection. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For additional information, visit the Museum's website at www.financialhistory.org.

For information on the Smithsonian Affiliations program, please contact Mary Combs at 202-357-2627 x21, or visit the Affiliations website at http://affiliations.si.edu.