Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1968-1992

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0584
Creators:
National Museum of American History. Department of Public Programs
Dates:
1968-1992
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
41 cu. ft. (41 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records mostly consist of staff correspondence and memoranda documenting administrative and program-oriented activities of the Department of Public Programs. The records pertain to fundraising, social history lectures and seminars, the Senior Series Program, budget, educational outreach proposals, grant information, planning for the Program of Hispanic American History, and the Country Music Program. In addition, there are budget reports; videotapes, audiotapes, abstracts, and planning documents from the Conference on Music in America at the Smithsonian Institution; minutes of meetings; information on educational projects for NMAH exhibitions; research material consisting of exhibition scripts, blueprints, and photographs; outline of Highlight Tours at NMAH; and brochures, articles, and newspaper clippings on NMAH special events.
The record unit also includes records which date back to the Division of Performing Arts. Performing Arts records primarily consist of working files; videotapes and audiotapes of performances from the Country Music Program, Jazz at the Smithsonian, and the Festival of American Folklife; and budgetary information.

Historical Note

Historical Note
In 1980 an Office of Public and Academic Programs was established at the National Museum of History and Technology (NMHT), subsequently the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Josiah O. Hatch, a Special Assistant to the Director of the Museum, was assigned as Director of the Office. Hatch submitted reports for Public and Academic Programs to Douglas E. Evelyn, Deputy Director of NMAH.
When the Smithsonian Institution's Division of Performing Arts became defunct in 1983, part of its staff was reassigned to the Office of Public and Academic Programs. In 1984, the Office was reorganized as the Department of Public Programs. It included sections of production, education, the Program in Black American History, performances, publications, and the Office of Public Affairs. Hatch became its head as the Assistant Director for Public Programs. The next year, Lonn W. Taylor succeeded Hatch.
The Department of Public Programs is responsible for a variety of tasks associated with providing the public with opportunities for learning. It works with the Museum's other departments to produce educational materials such as scholarly publications, kits and guides, and information on various topics of interest that interpret NMAH exhibitions. The Department also sponsors or coordinates programs and performances using Museum collections; presents special programs on important aspects of American life and culture that cannot be exhibited through artifacts alone; and organizes colloquia, symposia, and lectures. Staff has included Josiah O. Hatch, Director of the Department of Public Programs, 1980-1983, and Assistant Director for Public Programs, 1984; Lonn Taylor, Deputy Assistant Director for Public Programs, 1984, and Assistant Director, 1985- ; Harold A. Closter, Production Director, 1983-1986, Program Manager, 1987-1990, and Deputy Assistant Director, 1991- ; Bernice Johnson Reagon, Director of the Program in Black American History, 1983-1987; James M. Weaver, Director of Performance Programs, 1983-1986; Shirley E. Cherkasky, Coordinator of Museum Programs, 1983- ; Elizabeth M. Sharpe, Education Specialist, 1985-1986, and Deputy Assistant Director for Public Programs, 1987- ; and Manuel J. Melendez, Performing Arts Production Specialist, 1984-1991.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 584, National Museum of American History. Department of Public Programs, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Hatch, Josiah O. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Evelyn, Douglas E., 1941- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taylor, Lonn, 1940- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Closter, Harold A. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reagon, Bernice Johnson, 1942- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Weaver, James Merle Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cherkasky, Shirley E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sharpe, Elizabeth M. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Melendez, Manuel J. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Senior Series Program Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Program of Hispanic American History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Country Music Program Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Division of Performing Arts Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jazz at the Smithsonian Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of History and Technology (U.S.). Office of Public and Academic Programs Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Program in Black American History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Conference on Music in America at the Smithsonian Institution Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Festival of American Folklife Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Science museums Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Historical museums Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Education aspects Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Floor plans Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Illustrations Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Floppy disks Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electronic records Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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Washington, D.C.
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