Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1972-1989

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0600
Creators:
Smithsonian Institution. Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center
Dates:
1972-1989
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
18 cu. ft. (18 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records document many aspects of the development and operation of VIARC, especially the administration of the Center's two volunteer corps. The bulk of the material consists of the administrative files of Mary Grace Potter from 1972 to 1987, including general correspondence, memoranda, and budget reports. Of particular note are early planning materials for the Smithsonian Information Center, which opened in the Castle in November 1989. In addition, the records contain the files of the Seven Day Information Service and the Staff, Volunteer, and Intern Services units from 1980 to 1989. These materials include memoranda, correspondence, reports, and surveys generated and received by the units.

Historical Note

Historical Note
In October 1971 Mary Grace Potter became the first Director of the Smithsonian Associates' Reception Center, which was established to accommodate members of the National Associate constituency that was created with the publication of Smithsonian magazine. Initial duties of the Center included reception and orientation services for National Associate members visiting the Smithsonian Institution, response to telephone and mail inquiries from members, membership sales, and management of the reduced rate membership and gift fulfillment program for employees and volunteers.
It soon became apparent that the organization provided services that would be valuable to the public as well as to National Associates, and by June 1975 it was renamed the Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center (VIARC). The Center operated originally under the auspices of the National Program of the Smithsonian Associates, but by 1977 it had emerged as a separate entity reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary for Public Service. By 1989 the functions of VIARC were divided among five separate units: the Information Resources Division; Public Inquiry Mail and Telephone Information Services unit; the Seven Day Information Service unit; the Staff, Volunteer, and Intern Services unit; and Support Services.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 600, Smithsonian Institution, Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Potter, Mary Grace Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution -- Administration Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Information Center Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center. Seven Day Information Service Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center. Staff, Volunteer, and Intern Services Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian National Associates Program Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Assistant Secretary for Public Service Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Magazine Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum visitors 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