Descriptive Entry

The major portion of these records was created during the tenure of Philip Ritterbush. Also included is some material from Ritterbush's tenure as Special Assistant to the Secretary for Scientific Matters, 1964-1967, and as Assistant to the Secretary for Policy Analysis and Planning, 1967-1968. These items apparently were integrated into the records of the Office of Academic Programs.

Historical Note

The Office of Academic Programs was created in 1964 as the Office of Education and Training. It came under the directorship of Charles Blitzer in July 1965. The purpose of this Office was to make the resources of the Smithsonian Institution, its collections, and staff available to the scholarly community. The Office provides research opportunities for visiting professional researchers and graduate students and helps in the exhibits and public education function of the Smithsonian museums. When Charles Blitzer was appointed Assistant Secretary for History and Art in 1968, the Office of Education and Training was renamed the Office of Academic Programs, and Philip C. Ritterbush became its Director in February 1968.