Smithsonian Institution Archives

Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution

Record Unit 281
Assistant Secretary for History and Art,
Records,
1966-1980, with related records from 1961


Introduction

Historical Note

Descriptive Entry

Series Descriptions

  Series 1. Bureau Files, 1961-1980

  Series 2. General Correspondence, 1964-1979

  Series 3. Budget Records, 1972-1980

  Series 4. Office of the Secretary, 1965-1979

  Series 5. Director of Education and Training, 1966-1968



INTRODUCTION

This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.


HISTORICAL NOTE

Changes in History and Art's organization during these years included the return of the Hillwood Estate to the Marjorie Merriweather Post Foundation in 1975, the transfer of the Smithsonian Institution Archives to the Assistant Secretary for Museum Programs, and the assignment of the office of the American Revolution Bicentennial Coordinator to History and Art. The Renwick Gallery was acquired as a showcase for design, crafts, and decorative arts and became part of the National Museum of American Art. The Smithsonian also acquired the Carnegie Mansion and renovated it to house the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, which opened in 1976. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden was completed during this period and opened in 1974. The Museum of History and Technology became the National Museum of History and Technology (NMHT) in 1969.


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

This record unit documents the tenure of Charles Blitzer as assistant secretary for History and Art from 1973 to 1979. There are also records pertaining to the Office of Education and Training, 1965-1968, which Blitzer had directed.

The celebration of the bicentennial of the American Revolution was a major Smithsonian project from 1972 to 1977. These records document those efforts from first proposals to their completion or abandonment and include memoranda, budget proposals, and audio-visual recordings, including a 16-mm film of the Wells Fargo Essay Contest, Towards Our Third Century.

The records consist of correspondence, memoranda, budgets, and associated materials documenting the changing activities of History and Art bureaus during a period of intense activity and growth.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

SERIES 1.
Bureau Files, 1961-1980

Box 1 of 48

Office of Academic Studies

Office of American Studies

Archives of American Art

Box 2 of 48

Cooper-Hewitt Museum

Box 3 of 48

Freer Gallery of Art

Hillwood

Box 4 of 48

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Box 5 of 48

Joseph Henry Papers

National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board

Box 6 of 48

National Collection of Fine Arts

Box 7 of 48

National Museum of History and Technology

Box 8 of 48

Box 9 of 48

Box 10 of 48

Box 11 of 48

National Portrait Gallery

Bicentennial Coordinator's Office

Box 12 of 48

Box 13 of 48

Box 14 of 48

Box 15 of 48

Box 16 of 48

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Box 17 of 48

SERIES 2.
General Correspondence, 1964-1979

Box 18 of 48

Box 19 of 48

Box 20 of 48

Box 21 of 48

Box 22 of 48

Box 23 of 48

Box 24 of 48

Box 25 of 48

Box 26 of 48

Box 27 of 48

Box 28 of 48

Box 29 of 48

SERIES 3.
Budget Records, 1972-1980

Box 29 of 48

Box 30 of 48

Box 31 of 48

Box 32 of 48

SERIES 4.
Office of the Secretary, 1965-1979

Box 32 of 48

Box 33 of 48

Box 34 of 48

Box 35 of 48

Box 36 of 48

Office of the Under Secretary (Robert A. Brooks)

Office of the Assistant Secretary (Robert A. Brooks)

Office of the Treasurer (T. Ames Wheeler)

Box 37 of 48

Box 38 of 48

Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration

Box 39 of 48

Box 40 of 48

Box 41 of 48

Box 42 of 48

Box 43 of 48

Box 44 of 48

Box 45 of 48

Assistant Secretary for Science

Box 46 of 48

SERIES 5.
Director of Education and Training, 1966-1968

Box 46 of 48

Box 47 of 48

Box 48 of 48

Recordings


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Revised: May 2, 2006