Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of records documenting the exhibition and program coordinating activities of the Office of Curatorial Affairs, primarily in regard to the preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner and the planning, development, and production of the exhibition "The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem" at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), including the complimentary traveling exhibit "For Which It Stands: The American Flag in American Life" which examined the ways Americans use the flag to express their ideas about patriotism, citizenship, and national identity. Some records also document smaller exhibitions and related programs such as "So Proudly We Hail," a display of prominent American flags from World War II to honor veterans of that conflict; "World War II Photograph Perspectives," a selection of photographs taken during the second world war which document Americans both at war and home; and "July 1942: United We Stand," an array of original July 1942 magazine covers featuring the American flag, to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the "United We Stand" campaign.

Staff represented in these records include James B. Gardner, Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, who served as project director of the Star-Spangled Banner preservation project and exhibition from 2002 to 2006; Ronald E. Becker, NMAH Associate Director of Capital Programs, who was project director from 1996 to 2002; project managers Kate Henderson, Jeffrey L. Brodie, Kathryn Campbell, and Carol Frost; conservator Suzanne Thomassen-Krauss; curators Marilyn Zoidis, Harold D. Langley, Kathleen M. Kendrick, and Paula Johnston; public programs educator Julia Forbes; and project historian Lonn Taylor, who co-authored the exhibition book "The Star-Spangled Banner: The Making of an American Icon."

Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; exhibition proposals; planning and design information; scripts; budget summaries; contractual agreements; meeting agendas and minutes; reports; press releases; educational program information; floor plans, drawings, and illustrations; photographs; brochures; website development information; visitor surveys and comments; loan information; policies and guidelines; information about committees, seminars, workshops, and special events; audiotape recordings; NMAH flag hall renovation information; exhibition schedules; fundraising, sponsorship, and grant information; and other supporting documentation. Some materials are in electronic format.