Smithsonian Institution Archives

Program Records, 1976-2004, 2012

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FA17-064
Creators:
National Museum of American History. Division of Culture and the Arts
Dates:
1976-2004, 2012
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
1.5 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 document box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of the records of Dwight Blocker Bowers, Curator, which document his activities in producing public programs for the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Earlier records date from when Bowers was public programs specialist, 1995-1997, and historian of theater and film, 1997-2012, in the Division of Cultural History; director of the Division of Museum Program, 1989-1995; research specialist in the Department of Public Programs, 1984-1989; and research assistant in the Division of Performing Arts, 1982-1983. A majority of the records pertain to the "Palm Court Cameos" series that initially presented informal concerts of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century salon and parlor music to correspond with the era of the furnishings and artifacts in the Palm Court at NMAH. The program, which eventually was renamed "American Song" and moved to the Museum's Carmichael Auditorium, expanded to include the works of major American musicians of twentieth-century popular song, full-scale concert reconstructions of musicals, and onstage conversations with noted songwriters. Also documented are the "Jazz in the Palm Court" series that featured regionally based jazz artists performing classic jazz repertoire; the "America on Film" series, in which motion pictures reflecting cultural and musical diversity in American society were shown; and various other programs. Bowers inherited some of the records in this accession, which he used in his research, from Sharyn Huriaux Reitz, a research contractor in the Division of Performing Arts. Materials include correspondence, brochures, scripts, press releases, clippings, drawings, and supporting documentation.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 17-064, National Museum of American History. Division of Culture and the Arts, Program Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Bowers, Dwight Blocker Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reitz, Sharyn Huriaux Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Cultural History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Museum Programs Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Department of Public Programs Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Division of Performing Arts Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Palm Court Cameos (Program series) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Song (Program series) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jazz in the Palm Court (Program series) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
America on Film (Program series) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Educational aspects Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- United States Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musical shows Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion pictures Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Performances Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jazz Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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