Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of records created and maintained by Donald S. Lopez, Deputy Director, documenting the administration of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) and outreach performed by Lopez on behalf of NASM. Lopez held various positions at the National Air and Space Museum beginning in 1972 and became Deputy Director in 1983. Lopez retired in 1990, but came back to the position of Deputy Director in 1996, a position which he held until his death in 2008. In between stints as Deputy Director, Lopez continued to be closely involved in the activities of the Office of the Director. Topics documented in this collection include facilities, special events, strategic planning, exhibitions (including various iterations of proposed Enola Gay exhibitions), budget, collection management, policies, visitors, public relations, and lectures and presentations given by Lopez. Some records document Lopez's participation on outside boards and committees. Some records were maintained by Lopez, but pre-date his NASM career. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, reports, planning documents, agreements, images, meeting minutes, exhibition scripts, policies, brochures, educational materials, business proposals, handbooks, statistics, annual reports, presentations, and videos. Some materials are in electronic format.