Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1956-1967

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0259
Creators:
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Assistant Director (Management)
Dates:
1956-1967
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
12.5 cu. ft. (25 document boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This record unit consists primarily of records maintained by Assistant Director Carlton W. Tillinghast, 1961-1969, with smaller amounts created by his predecessor Kenneth H. Drummond, 1959-1961, and the executive officer, Vaughan Harmon. Also included is correspondence and memoranda addressed to Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) Director Fred L. Whipple. This material was usually referred to the assistant director for action. Records include general correspondence, 1957-1964, concerning SAO administration and scientific projects including Project Celescope; the Harvard Radio Meteor Project; SAO-International Year of the Quiet Sun Comet Project; the Prairie Network; and the Satellite Tracking Program. Of special interest is correspondence regarding the closing of SAO's Table Mountain, California, station in 1961. The record unit also includes administrative files, 1956-1966; Satellite Tracking Program records, 1957-1964, including administrative and tracking station files; and a buildings file, 1957-1966.
Around 1964, a numerical-subject records management system was instituted at SAO. Records were assigned a number code based on subject classification and filed numerically. Often records prior to 1964 were refiled using the numerical-subject system. Retrieval of records using the system is difficult. For a detailed explanation of the SAO numerical-subject filing system, see appendix 1 (off-line, in Archives).

Historical Note

Historical Note
Prior to 1959 the duties of this office were performed by the executive officer, Vaughan Harmon. For an administrative history of the office of the assistant director (Management), see Record Unit 256.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 259, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Assistant Director (Management), Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Tillinghast, Carlton W. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drummond, Kenneth H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Harmon, Vaughan Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Whipple, Fred L. (Fred Lawrence), 1906-2004 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Project Celescope Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radio Meteor Project (Harvard College Observatory) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. International Year of the Quiet Sun Comet Project Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Meteorite Photography and Recovery Project (Prairie Network) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Table Mountain Station (California) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Research Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astrophysical observatories Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astrophysics Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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