Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1972-1984

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0556
Creators:
National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution). Historian's Office
Dates:
1972-1984
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 cu. ft. (2 record storage boxes) (1 document box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This record unit documents the activities of the Office's first three Historians. Most of the records were created during Marc Pachter's tenure. They include much correspondence between Pachter and art historians, artists, national and international art institutions, and funding organizations. There is also correspondence with Amy E. Henderson, Assistant Historian, Kenneth Young and J. Michael Carrigan, exhibition designers, and Mona Dearborn, keeper of the Catalog of American Portraits. In addition, the records document symposia and discussion panels organized by the Office and the production and display of exhibitions.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The Office of the Historian, National Portrait Gallery (NPG), was established in 1966 when Daniel J. Reed was appointed the first Historian. Reed resigned in 1968 and Virginia Purdy became Acting Historian. Beverly J. Cox was appointed Historian in 1970. A year later, Lillian B. Miller was appointed Historian and Cox became Assistant Historian. Cox left the Office to become Coordinator of Exhibitions in 1973. Miller continued to serve as Historian until 1974 when she became editor of the Charles Willson Peale Papers. Marc Pachter was appointed Historian in 1975 and served in that capacity through 1984.
The Historian was appointed to direct the research program of the NPG in American iconography, biography, and history; to explore the art of portraiture in the United States and the Western world; and to conduct studies of men and women of any nation who made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the United States. From 1966 through 1967, the Historian also supervised the activities of the Catalog of American Portraits at NPG.
The Office also prepared biographical information on individuals whose portraits were offered to the NPG by gift or purchase. It undertook to prepare succinct and informative labels for portraits in the permanent collections or items on exchange; wrote catalogs; and conducted research on objects represented in portraits, statuary, prints, miniatures, and engravings.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 556, National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution), Historian's Office, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Carrigan, J. Michael Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dearborn, Mona Leithiser Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Henderson, Amy Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pachter, Marc Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Young, Kenneth, 1933- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reed, Daniel J., 1922- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Purdy, Virginia Cardwell Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cox, Beverly J. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Miller, Lillian B. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution). Catalog of American Portraits Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution). Charles Willson Peale Papers Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art museums Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art historians Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Acquisitions Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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