James Dunlop discovered NGC 361 = D 54 = h2374 on 6 Sep 1826 with a 9" speculum reflector and recorded "a small round pretty well-defined nebula, 15" or 20" diameter." His position is 7' SE of this SMC cluster. There are other Dunlop entries near this cluster that may also refer to it, though this description seems to fits best. JH swept it on 11 Apr 1834 and noted "vF, L, oval, vgvmbM." Herschel noted the possible equivalence with D 55, whose position is off by 10' east.

400/500mm - 18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright and large, round, 1' diameter, weak concentration to center, grainy. A single star or clump was resolved. Located 4.5' SE of mag 7.8 HD 6222 (2' pair with a mag 9.8 companion). Observation made through thin clouds.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb