Smithsonian Institution Archives

Director's Records, circa 1965-1976

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0369
Creators:
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs
Dates:
circa 1965-1976
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
10.5 cu. ft. (10 record storage boxes) (1 document box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records consist of alphabetic subject files of the directors, documenting their relations with Smithsonian administrators and museums, and their direction of publications relating to public affairs activities. Major events of the period included the openings of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Collection of Fine Arts, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Air and Space Museum, as well as the establishment of the annual Folklife Festival and the 1976 American Bicentennial.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The Office of Public Affairs had its origins in the Editorial and Publications Division of the Institution, which had long been disbursing news about events and exhibitions. In 1965 a separate Office of Information, reporting to the Secretary, was created, in part to deal with festivities and events surrounding the Smithson Bicentennial. B. Richard Berg was appointed director and George J. Berklacy, press officer. The new office issued press releases, answered public inquiries, maintained a system of recorded telephone announcements, arranged for the production of films, and dealt, in general, with the media.
The Office of Public Affairs, reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Public Service, was established in 1968. It was charged with publicizing the programs of the Smithsonian through a broad range of methods of communication, from radio to films to special events. Initially the office provided services including tours, visitor booths, publications, recorded messages, news releases, information leaflets, and the answering of public inquiries.
Frederic M. Philips served as director, 1968-1972. He was succeeded by Carl W. Larsen, who held the position 1972- .

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 369, Smithsonian Institution, Office of Public Affairs, Director's Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Berg, B. Richard Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Berklacy, George J. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Philips, Frederic M. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Larsen, Carl W. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Collection of Fine Arts (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution -- Administration Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Editorial and Publications Division Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Information Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Festival of American Folklife Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976 Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Administration Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu