Descriptive Entry

These records primarily document exhibitions circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service from its inception in 1952 through 1962, with documentation on several exhibitions continuing for the years 1963 to 1965. Records include correspondence, shipping and storage bills, exhibition catalogues, newspaper clippings, and photographs or slides. The correspondence includes many exhibition proposal letters from Annemarie Pope to Thomas Beggs, director of the National Collection of Fine Arts, for shows that were accepted and those that were rejected. Correspondence frequently includes letters of either approval or disapproval based on research conducted by the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

Historical Note

The Alice Pike Barney Memorial Fund, established in 1951, and a grant from the Department of State enabled the National Collection of Fine Arts (NCFA) to create the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service proceeded under the auspices of the National Collection of Fine Arts, although it was never housed with the museum. Annemarie H. Pope was appointed chief of the Service in 1952, and remained in this position until 1963. In 1964 Mrs. Dorothy Van Arsdale became chief of the Service, and in 1965 Mrs. Nancy Padnos filled the new position of assistant chief. Mr. Thomas Beggs was director of the National Collection of Fine Arts when the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service was created until 1964. This position was taken over by Mr. David W. Scott. Though the service exhibitions of American and international art were arranged to circulate in the United States, occasionally an exhibition toured abroad. At times exhibits were prepared for the use of the United States Information Agency.