Smithsonian Institution Archives

Curatorial Records, 1960-1994

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FA95-058
Creators:
National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution). Department of Painting and Sculpture
Dates:
1960-1994
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
4 cu. ft. (4 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of records that document the career of Robert G. Stewart, Senior Curator in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG), and art historian. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954, Stewart worked for the National Park Service as historical architect. From 1961 to 1964 he was Director of Properties for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In November 1964 Stewart became one of the first three staff members of the NPG when he was named Curator in that bureau.
Stewart's work before coming to the Smithsonian is largely undocumented in these records, with the exception of a single article that was probably written in 1960. The bulk of the records describe Stewart's professional work both within and outside of the Smithsonian. Personal correspondence files dating from 1964 through 1994 consist mostly of letters concerning topics of professional interest to Stewart, in which he identifies himself as a curator.
Professional correspondence files dating from 1985 through 1994 consist mainly of public inquiries and Stewart's replies. The records document Stewart's participation in several NPG exhibitions, most notably on the work of Henry Benbridge, which was shown in 1971. Records also contain documentation about Stewart's museum-sponsored travel and his involvement with Smithsonian committees and other bodies.
These records also document Stewart's activities outside the Smithsonian. They contain files on competitions he adjudicated; articles and essays he contributed to various publications; guest lectures, speeches, and other presentations; and outside professional organizations in which he was involved. The records include several files on a course he taught at George Washington University from roughly 1967 to 1972 called "Principles of Museum Work," noted in the files as "ART 146."

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 95-058, National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution), Department of Painting and Sculpture, Curatorial Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Benbridge, Henry, 1743-1812 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stewart, Robert G. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
George Washington University Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Henry Benbridge: American Portrait Painter (Exhibition) (1971: Washington, D.C.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art museum curators Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum exhibits Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum publications Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Educational aspects Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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