“Nobody knows this place is here” (33). One more “Fact” that Brown lists sandwiched between the Office of Security and the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Yes, there is an SMSC, the Smithsonian Museum Support Center, located at 4210 Silver Hill Road, Maryland 20746-2863, some seven miles from the U.S. Capitol. “The world’s largest and most technologically advanced museum is also one of the world’s best secret” (21). Well, it isn’t a secret any longer, Mr. Brown! Katherine works here in a laboratory specially constructed by her brother for her research. Since it is located outside of Washington, D.C., Robert Langdon’s journey does not bring him here. Mal’akh will drive here bent on destruction of Katherine’s work and will attempt to burn the facility down. Luckily there was no fire in real life.
The Smithsonian provides ample information on its own website that describes the facility, its history, and the collection. Brown mixes fantasy and fiction to create a very chilling place indeed. Katherine’s laboratory and research data are here in Pod 5 and Katherine’s assistant, Trish Dunne, will be murdered in Pod 3, the “wet pod.” The fiction is based on some fact, although the assertion that her Noetics lab is unlike any other in the world might be questioned. The mysterious Pod 5 where Katherine works has already become the new “wet pod” and houses a collection of 25 million specimens. The old Pod 3 (wet pod) is being renovated to hold works of art. In all, the Support Center has over 54 million items. They include the striking list of items that Brown documents. The center opened in 1983 and is not so much a museum as it is a research facility and library. While scholars and researchers may use the facilities, it is not open to the general public simply seeking to satisfy their curiosity.
SMITHSONIAN FACT SHEET
newsdesk.si.edu/factsheets/msc_factsheet2009.htm
“SMITHSONIAN REVEALS ITS HIDDEN TREASURES”
www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/aug/16/smithsonian-reveals32its-hidden-treasures
“SMITHSONIAN TREASURES, BEHIND THE SCENES”
articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/20/entertainment/et-smithsonian20
Smithsonian Museum Support Center entrance