Smithsonian Institution Archives

Margaret B. Klapthor Papers, circa 1952-1982

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7466
Creators:
Klapthor, Margaret Brown
Dates:
circa 1952-1982
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
5 cu. ft. (5 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Introduction

Introduction
This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These papers consist of exhibition scripts for the Hall of Political History; correspondence pertaining to publications, lectures, educational activities, and planning of the First Ladies Hall; research notes and drafts to the publications Official White House China: 1789 to the Present, The First Ladies Cook Book: Favorite Recipes of All the Presidents of the United States, and The Dresses of the First Ladies of the White House; photographs of Klapthor; annual reports for the Division of Political History; published articles by Klapthor; and biographical information on the First Ladies.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Margaret B. Klapthor (1922-1994) was born in Henderson, Kentucky. She graduated from the University of Maryland, B.A., 1943, and shortly thereafter was employed by the Smithsonian Institution as a scientific aide in the Civil Section of the Division of History, United States National Museum. Klapthor was assigned to restoring the First Ladies' dresses, the collection of White House gowns, which eventually became the First Ladies Hall exhibition at the Museum of History and Technology in 1964. Her positions later included Assistant Curator, 1947-1948, in the Section of Civil History, Division of History; Assistant Curator, 1949-1951, and Associate Curator, 1952-1957, in the Division of Civil History; and Associate Curator, 1957-1970, Curator, 1971-1983, and Curator Emeritus, 1984-1994, in the Division of Political History. Klapthor published many articles and several books during her tenure, including The Dresses of the First Ladies of the White House and Official White House China: 1789 to the Present.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7466, Margaret B. Klapthor Papers

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Klapthor, Margaret Brown Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of History and Technology (U.S.) Hall of Political History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). First Ladies Hall Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of History and Technology (U.S.). Division of Political History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
University of Maryland at College Park Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum. Division of History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of History and Technology (U.S.). Division of Civil History Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Official White House China: 1789 to the Present (Monograph : 1975) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The First Ladies Cook Book: Favorite Recipes of All the Presidents of the United States (Monograph : 1965) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Dresses of the First Ladies of the White House (Monograph :1952) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
White House china Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
First ladies Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum curators Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum exhibits Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States -- History Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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