Descriptive Entry

These records provide documentation of the creation and preparation of exhibits for the most important period in the history of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) - the planning, fabrication, and installation of two dozen major galleries for the new museum building, which opened in 1976. Also included is material on exhibits in the Arts and Industries Building, where the museum was located before 1975, and on smaller, changing exhibitions, as well as on the plans for the NASM restaurant. A very small portion of the records relate to exhibitions at the National Museum of Natural History, created by staff who worked on exhibitions at both museums. The records consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, policy statements, procedure lists, reviews, contracts, some photographs, and a number of oversize plans and drawings.

Historical Note

The Exhibits Division was created in 1974 with Francis A. Baby as its Chief. Baby served until 1978 when Frank A. Nelms became Acting Chief. In 1979 Melvin B. Zisfein held the title of Acting Chief. In 1980 the Exhibits and Presentations Division was formed with Richard D. Crawford as Acting Chief. Edward Bedno was selected as Chief in 1981, with Crawford succeeding him in 1982. Crawford served in the position of Chief in 1983 and then as Assistant Director for Exhibits and Production Operations in 1984. Later that year Nadya A. Makovenyi became Chief of Exhibits, then Assistant Director for Exhibits, 1985- .