The Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives' record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Progra...

An album of photographs taken between 1905 and 1907 by H.G.L. Smith or his associates to document his hunting trips in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and the accompanying African workers.

Photographs taken by unknown photographers in Nigeria and found in an album signed on the front inside cover, "W.H. Himbury, Grosvenor Club, Piccadilly 10." Funeral pictures of important African chiefs are prominent within the album and include burial pictures of the family members of the deceased as well as of the belongings of the deceased. Images include views of Lagos and Abeokuta. African peoples include the Anang Ibibio, Kalabari and Efik. Images of individuals include British colonial officials and chiefs of the Niger Delta. Prominent among the British officials is Sir Claude Maxwell Macdonald (1852-1915), Governor of the Oil River Protectorate, which, after 1896, was known as the Niger River Protectorate.

The papers of the artist Robert Kushner measure 4.6 linear feet and date from 1967 to 2011. The collection documents primarily the early career of Robert Kushner through performance videos and other media artworks, correspondence, notes, lab records, inventories, an exhibition proposal, and subject files regarding critic Amy Goldin.

The Neil Juhl Larsen research material on Charles Biederman measures 9.4 linear feet and dates from circa 1927-2011. The material was compiled primarily by Neil Juhl Larsen in preparation for his biography, Charles Biederman (Hudson Hills Press, 2011). Also included is a small amount of material compiled by art historian Susan Larsen (no relation to Neil), who completed the book after Neil Larsen's death in 2006. The bulk of the research material consists of original papers belonging to Charles Biederman, including biographical material, correspondence, writings, personal business records, printed material, and photographs. These papers were given to Neil Juhl Larsen by Biederman and his daughter Anna Biederman Brown.

The records of Womanspace Gallery, a cooperative gallery for feminist activities in Los Angeles, California, measure 1.7 linear feet and date from 1970 to 1974. The bulk of the collection consists of exhibition files. Also found are administrative files, correspondence, publishing files, financial records, printed material, and photographic material.

This collection is comprised of a photographic album, dating from 1897-1903, that includes images of Momabassa, and Frere Town in Kenya and the Ankole, Toro and Mengo regions of Uganda and some locations in between. African peoples depicted include the Waniki and Banma. Subjects include the French Roman Catholic mission station at Budu, Mengo Chu...

The Ira and William Glackens papers, circa 1900-1990, measure 2.3 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of the papers of Ira Glackens relating to the artwork of his father, William Glackens, but also contains scattered correspondence of William and his wife Edith, including letters from Albert Barnes. Ira Glackens' papers include books written by Ira; exhibition catalogs and clippings about William and others; photographs of the Glackens family and friends, of Ira, and of the Glackens residence; and an audio recording of William Glackens' remarks upon accepting an award at the Carnegie International Exhibition in 1936. There are also records of the Sansom Foundation, which was set up by Ira Glackens and his wife Nancy.

The papers of curator Nan Rosenthal measure 26.6 linear feet and 17.1 gigabytes and date from circa 1940-2013. There is a small amount of biographical material; correspondence, mostly letters from her first husband Otto Piene; project and research files encompassing her work as a curator and historian; as well as teaching files; and thousands of slides organized by subject. Among Rosenthal's research and project files are sound recordings and transcripts from dozens of interviews Rosenthal conducted with artists including Howard Hodgkin, Anselm Kiefer, friends and family of Yves Klein, Robert Rauschenberg and friends, George Rickey, Claus Oldenburg, and Sangbin Im. In addition to paper records, the collection also includes a large number of sound recordings, video recordings, and born digital material.

These records consist primarily of administrative subject files maintained by the Office of the Director, documenting his or her activities in the museum, in the Institution, and with outside people and organizations. Also included are files on the National Museum of American Art Commission, its meetings, and its commissioners. Some materials ...