The collection consists of 6,567 color slides taken by Dr. Marilyn Houlberg during various field studies among the Yoruba in southwest Nigeria between 1961 and circa 2005. The images depict Yoruba art and culture with a special focus on artisans, art objects, body arts, costume, festivals, hairstyles, indigenous photography, weaving and textiles. Cultural events depicted include Balufon festivals, Egungun and Gelede masquerades, social events (weddings, christenings, funerals), and religious ceremonies (initiation and animal sacrifice). Also included are various scenes of daily life, architecture, food preparation, markets, portraits and landscapes. Houlberg extensively documented Yoruba artists in the process of creating their art, including carvers Yesufu Ejigboye, Runshewe, and Lamidi Fakeye, as well as the final pieces themselves. Houlberg documentated art in situ, such as Yoruba house posts, shrines, wall art and wood doors and art objects, including Gelede masks, Ibeji (twin) and Eshu figures, Osanyin staffs, and Ogboni and Shango shrines. Manuscript and printed materials, including Houlberg's resume, thesis, and numerous published articles are also available in this collection.

This accession consists of records created and maintained by Patrick H. Sears documenting facilities, departments, contracts, signage, budget, and special events. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, floor plans, reports, budget files, black-and-white photographs, meeting agendas, and project memoranda lists.

This accession consists of records that document Special Exhibition Fund (SEF) grant activities for significant exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution. The fund was first administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for the Arts and Humanities, 1992-1994, and by the Assistant Provost for the Arts and Humanities, 1994-1996, be...

The Scurlock photographic studio was a fixture in the Shaw area of Washington, D.C. from 1911 to 1994, and encompassed two generations of photographers, Addison N. Scurlock (1883-1964) and his sons George H. (1920- 2005) and Robert S. (1916-1994). Subseries 4.6 consists of black and white silver gelatin negatives. An overview to the entire Scurlock collection is available here: Scurlock Studio Records

This accession consists primarily of photographs of Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWICS) events, including noon discussions, evening dialogues, colloquiums, conferences, seminars, board meetings, staff picnics, and Christmas parties. Also included are WWICS annual reports and a small amount of James Billington's corresponde...

This accession consists of records that document the Educational Outreach Fund (EOF) activities of Manjula Kumar, Program Manager for EOF under the offices of the Assistant Secretary for Public Service, 1989-1992, Assistant Secretary for Education and Public Service, 1992-1994, and Assistant Provost for Educational and Cultural Programs, 1994-...

This collection is primarily the work of one individual, Donald Harvey Sultner, known professionally as Donald Sultner-Welles (1914-1981). The collection forms a written and visual record of Sultner's family, life, and career from 1913-1980. Its major strength is Sultner's photographic documentation of the world during his travels, ca. 1950-1980. W...

This accession consists of the records of J. Dennis O'Connor, Provost, which document routine administrative matters and special programs, professional meetings, exhibition planning, and research in Smithsonian Institution museums, offices, and bureaus, primarily in fiscal year 1999. Materials also include records pertaining to space requireme...

The Maid of Cotton (MOC) beauty pageant was sponsored by the National Cotton Council, Memphis Cotton Carnival, and the Cotton Exchanges of Memphis, New York, and New Orleans from 1939-1993. The contest was held annually in Memphis, Tennessee until the National Cotton Council and Cotton Council International moved to Dallas, Texas. Beginning with the 1985 pageant (held December 1984) the competition was held in Dallas. The pageant was discontinued in 1993 due to lack of funds, a sponsor, and changes in marketing strategies. The records include files on contestants, photographs, and scrapbooks.

This accession consists of the records of J. Dennis O'Connor, Provost, which document administrative matters and special programs, exhibition planning, and research in Smithsonian Institution museums, offices, and bureaus. Materials also include records pertaining to Patent Office building renovations, and the search for additional Smithsonian...