Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1957, 1964-1975

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0251
Creators:
National Museum of History and Technology. Department of Cultural History
Dates:
1957, 1964-1975
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
4 cu. ft. (8 document boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records of the Department of Cultural History and its predecessor, the Department of Civil History, consist of administrative files including memoranda and correspondence concerning exhibits, general museum and departmental policies, the acquisition of objects, and the search for a curator; general correspondence with donors, researchers, and non-Smithsonian museum administrators concerning the acquisition of objects, exhibits, museum programs, and C. Malcolm Watkins' research on southwestern United States and New England cultural life; reading files; and plans of operations, annual reports, and budget proposals.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Curatorial responsibility for many of the objects relating to American cultural history was originally divided between various divisions and departments in the United States National Museum. When the Museum of History and Technology (MHT) was set up in 1957, these responsibilities were transferred to the newly established Department of Civil History. From 1964 to 1968 the Department included the Divisions of Political History, Cultural History, Philately and Postal History, and Numismatics; in 1967, the Divisions of Musical Instruments and Growth of the United States were added to the Department. Growth of the United States was a unit in the Department, circa 1958 to 1965, and from 1965 to 1967 it was administered by the assistant director of MHT. In 1969, when MHT was renamed the National Museum of History and Technology, administrative reorganizations within the Museum included the name change of this department to the Department of Cultural History. This Department included the Divisions of Costume and Furnishings, Ethnic and Western Cultural History, Musical Instruments, and Preindustrial Cultural History.
Richard H. Howland was appointed chairman of the Department of Civil History in 1965; previously, he had been the Department's head curator. Howland's successors as chairman have included C. Malcolm Watkins, acting chairman, 1968, and chairman, 1969-1972; Rodris C. Roth, acting chairman, 1973-1974; and Richard E. Ahlborn, chairman, 1975- .

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 251, National Museum of History and Technology. Department of Cultural History, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Howland, Richard Hubbard Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Watkins, C. Malcolm Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Roth, Rodris Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ahlborn, Richard E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum of History and Technology (U.S.). Department of Civil History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Furniture Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Decorative arts Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musical instruments Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Costume -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Civilization -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum curators Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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