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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 15-267

National Museum of American History. Division of Home and Community Life

Curatorial Records, 1893, 1915, 1964-2006

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:National Museum of American History. Division of Home and Community Life
Title:Curatorial Records
Dates:1893, 1915, 1964-2006
Quantity:3 cu. ft. (3 record storage boxes)
Collection:Accession 15-267
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession consists of the records of curator emeritus Claudia Brush Kidwell documenting her curatorial and professional activities in the Division of Home and Community Life, and when costume collections were part of the Division of Social History or known as the Division of Costume, the Division of Costume and Furnishings, and the Section of American Costumes which, prior to 1969, was in the Division of Political History at the Museum of History and Technology. It also consists of the records of curator Anne Wood Murray, and some materials that document the early history of costume collections. Other staff members represented in these records include museum specialist Shelly Foote and museum technician Priscilla Wood. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; reports; agreements; budget summaries; proposals; information about research grants, committees, and symposiums; news releases; exhibition catalogs, articles, and book reviews; lecture papers; collections management information; meeting agendas and minutes; mission statements; newsletters; photographs and slides; questionnaires and evaluations; information pertaining to the Gender Issues Action Group, which was chaired by Kidwell and addressed gender equality issues at the National Museum of American History; policies and guidelines; brochures; and clippings. Some materials are in electronic format.

Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of the records of Claudia Brush Kidwell and Anne Wood Murray documenting curatorial and professional activities in the Section of American Costume which, prior to 1969, was in the Division of Political History at the Museum of History and Technology; the Division of Costume and Furnishings; the Division of Costume; and the Division of Social History. Also consists of some records that document the early history of costume collections. Other staff members represented in these records include museum specialist Shelly Foote and museum technician Priscilla Wood. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; reports; agreements; budget summaries; proposals; information about research grants, committees, and symposiums; news releases; exhibition catalogs, articles, and book reviews; lecture papers; collections management information; meeting agendas and minutes; mission statements; newsletters; photographs and slides; questionnaires and evaluations; information pertaining to the Gender Issues Action Group, which was chaired by Kidwell and addressed gender equality issues at the National Museum of American History; policies and guidelines; brochures; and clippings. Some materials are in electronic format.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-267, National Museum of American History. Division of Home and Community Life, Curatorial Records

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Container List

Box 1

Anne Wood Murray (general), 1967-2000

Box 1 of 3

Anne Wood Murray: Biographical Information, 1996-1997

Box 1 of 3

Anne Wood Murray: Articles, c. 1972-1978

Box 1 of 3

Anne Wood Murray Report on Match Coats and Match Cloth, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Anne Wood Murray Donations, 1948-1949, 1969-1994

Box 1 of 3

Registrar of the Copp Collection and Copp Family Papers, 2000

Box 1 of 3

Forward to Catalogue of American Historical Costumes, 1915

Box 1 of 3

Phoenix Art Museum Publication, 1985

Box 1 of 3

History of the Costume Collection, 2006

Box 1 of 3

O. Mason Letter regarding Seaney Collection, 1893

Box 1 of 3

Clothing Transferred from Ethnology to Political History, 1957

Box 1 of 3

Collecting Philosophy, 1975

Box 1 of 3

Costume Collecting Activities, 1974-1975

Box 1 of 3

Proposal for the Study of Costume, 1975

Box 1 of 3

Costume Collection to be a Division, 1977

Box 1 of 3

Second Curator for the Division of Costume, 1977

Box 1 of 3

Nancy A. Martin: Independent Study, Division of Costume and Furnishings, 1977

Box 1 of 3

Forward Planning Statement, 1978

Box 1 of 3

Major Goals of the Division of Costume, 1978

Box 1 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: Professional and Curatorial Activities, 1964-1998

Box 1 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: Press Clippings, 1964-1996

Box 1 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: Photographs, 1976-2001

Box 1 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: Correspondence, 1977-2000

Box 1 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: Travel Reports, 1989-1999

Box 1 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: Curriculum Vita

Box 1 of 3

Center for History of Clothing, 1972

Box 1 of 3

Costume Hall Ideas, c. 1977

Box 1 of 3

Research Grants (general), 1977-1999

Box 1 of 3

Department of Cultural History Mission, 1978-1980

Box 1 of 3

Roger Kennedy, 1979-1980

Box 1 of 3

Marc Pachter, 2002

Box 1 of 3

Department Name Change, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Sabbaticals, 1977-1981

Box 1 of 3

Sabbatical Talk, 1983

Box 1 of 3

Collections Management Accountability Program, 1987-1993

Box 1 of 3

Library Resources, 1990

Box 1 of 3

Request for Second Curator, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Staff Meetings, 1980-1982

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Edith P. Mayo, Temporary Supervisor, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Five Year Plan, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Mission Statements, 1981-1997

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Storage Need, 1982-1990

Box 1 of 3

Recruiting Museum Technician (Priscilla Wood), c. 1980s

Box 1 of 3

Collecting Areas for Divisions of Domestic and Community Life, 1978

Box 1 of 3

Costume Storage, 1995

Box 1 of 3

Costume Procedures Manual, c. 1991 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 3

Costume Collection Classification System (Based on Valentine Museum), 1964-1970

Box 1 of 3

International Committee for the Museums and Collections of Costume (ICOM)

Box 1 of 3

Classification System, 1976-1980

Box 1 of 3

Use of ICOM Classification System by the Division of Costume, 1982

Box 1 of 3

"What's in a Name? A Classification, and a Definition" by Shelly Foote

Box 1 of 3

Inventory Terms

Box 1 of 3

Outline of Superclasses, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Developing Costume Dictionary, c. 1980

Box 1 of 3

Costume Dictionary, 1982

Box 1 of 3

Accessioning Costume Objects in Museum Information Retrieval and Documentation

Box 1 of 3

System (MIRDS), 1981

Box 1 of 3

MIRDS Object Data Descriptors, 1982

Box 1 of 3

Costume Cataloging Procedures, 1978

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Long Range Planning, 1990

Box 1 of 3

Division of Costume: Collecting Plans, 1991-1992

Box 1 of 3

Collection Needs, 1982-1990

Box 1 of 3

Rethinking Collecting, 1995

Box 1 of 3

Value of Collecting, Mannequins

Box 1 of 3

Guidelines for Offering Objects to the Smithsonian's Clothing Collection, 1995-1997

Box 1 of 3

Documenting Collections with Recorded Interviews

Box 1 of 3

Collecting from Ginsburg, 1971-1977

Box 1 of 3

Collecting for "Suiting Everyone," 1974

Box 1 of 3

Articles Announcing Collecting Effort, 1974

Box 1 of 3

Barbara Dickstein: Collecting Project, 1977-1984

Box 1 of 3

Elsie Shaver Scholarship Fund, 1973-1977

Box 1 of 3

Work on Dorothy Shaver Collection, 1974-1981

Box 1 of 3

Dorothy Shaver Case, 1975

Box 1 of 3

Elsie Shaver Luncheon, 1975

Box 1 of 3

First Ladies Conservation Project, 1987

Box 1 of 3

Mary D. Doering: Correspondence, 1972-2001 (3 folders)

Box 1 of 3

Gender Issues Action Group (GIAG): Robert Sullivan, "The Museum as Moral

Box 1 of 3

Educator," 1990

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: "Gender Perspectives" Seminar Follow-up Meeting, 1990

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Guidelines, 1991-1997

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Follow-up Meetings, 1990-1992

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Organizations, 1990

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Mission Statement, 1991

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Publicity, 1990-1991

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Meeting Announcements, 1990-1993

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Gender Images Conference, 1992-1993

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Smithsonian Advocacy Network, 1991-1995

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Accessibility Network, 1991-1992

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: "The Greek Slave" Sculpture, 1991-1992

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: External Research Review Committee, 1992

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Science Exhibition, 1991

Box 1 of 3

GIAG: Women's History Month, 1992

Box 1 of 3

Box 2

GIAG: Promotion Opportunities for Woman at the National Museum of American

Box 2 of 3

History (NMAH), 1992-1993

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: "Mechanical Brides" Exhibition, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, 1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Smithsonian Seal Issue, 1993

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Meeting Attendance, 1992-1993

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Newsletter, 1993

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Feminist Resources, 1990

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Robert Sullivan Publications, 1990-1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Exhibiting Sexism, 1991

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Museum Censorship, 1991

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Culture vs. Gender Equality, 1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Feminist Philosophies, 1990-1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Meeting Questionnaire, 1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Suzanne Kolm, "Types of Women's History," 1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Museum Theory, 1993, 1997

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Suzanne Kolm, Slide Show, 1991-1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: "Toward Gender Equity in Exhibitions" Slide Show Proposal, 1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Gender Slide Show Advisory Group Meetings, 1991

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: "Toward Gender Equity in Exhibitions" Video, 1992-1993

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Slide Show Final Script, 1991 (includes electronic records)

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: "Toward Gender Equity in Exhibitions" Slides, 1991

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Slide Show Comments, 1991-1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Slide Show Participants, 1992

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Museum Programs, 1992-1994

Box 2 of 3

GIAG: Inquiries regarding GIAG, 1992-1995

Box 2 of 3

Garfinckel Gala: Correspondence and Memoranda, 1977

Box 2 of 3

Garfinckel Gala: Photographs and Graphics, 1977

Box 2 of 3

Garfinckel Gala: Press Releases and Articles, 1977

Box 2 of 3

Looking American Series, 1994-2002

Box 2 of 3

Symposium and Roundtable Events, 1985-1986

Box 2 of 3

Smith College-Smithsonian Conference on the Conventions of Gender, 1983-1984

Box 2 of 3

Symposium on Eighteenth Century Costume in America, NMAH, 1985-1986

Box 2 of 3

Roundtable on Eighteenth Century Costume in America, NMAH, 1985

Box 2 of 3

Smithsonian World: Fashion Program, 1988-1989

Box 2 of 3

Costume Society of America: Sixteenth Annual Meeting and Symposium, 1990

Box 2 of 3

Costume Society of America: Proposals of Papers/Symposium, 1988-1990

Box 2 of 3

Erika Batdorf, 1989-1990

Box 2 of 3

Cultural Diversity Discussions, Twentieth Century Collecting, 1990

Box 2 of 3

Image and Identity: Clothing and Adolescence in the 1990s

Box 2 of 3

American History Research Expedition (AHRE): Copp Family Collection, 1998-1999

Box 2 of 3

AHRE, Copp Family Collection: Photographs and Slides, 1999

Box 2 of 3

AHRE, Copp Family Collection: Post Expedition Correspondence, 1999-2000

Box 2 of 3

AHRE, Copp Family Collection: Panel Presentation, 1999

Box 2 of 3

AHRE, Copp Family Collection: Susan Green Report, 1999

Box 2 of 3

AHRE, Copp Family Collection: Meeting, 2000

Box 2 of 3

Common Agenda Program, 1990-1991

Box 2 of 3

Common Agenda Program: "Collecting for the New Century" Conference (Boston,

Box 2 of 3

Massachusetts), 1991

Box 2 of 3

"Collecting for the New Century" Conference: Participants, 1991

Box 2 of 3

Costume Network for History Museums (CNHM), 1991-1992

Box 2 of 3

CNHM: Budget Summary and Mailing, 1991

Box 2 of 3

CNHM: Claudia B. Kidwell, Keynote Speaker at the Costume Society of America

Box 2 of 3

Region Six Symposium, "Documenting Living Experiences," 1991

Box 2 of 3

CNHM: Second Planning Meeting (Dearborn, Michigan), 1991

Box 2 of 3

CNHM: Costume Bibliography, 1992

Box 2 of 3

CNHM: Questionnaires, 1991-1992

Box 2 of 3

CNHM (general), c. 1993

Box 2 of 3

Smithsonian Research Expeditions Program: "John Singleton Copley: Clothing in

Box 2 of 3

Colonial America," 1994

Box 2 of 3

Smithsonian Research Expeditions Program: "John Singleton Copley: Clothing in

Box 2 of 3

Colonial America," Participants and Evaluations, 1992-1994

Box 2 of 3

Gadsby Tavern Museum Costume Symposium/Study Tour, 1997

Box 2 of 3

Winterthur Conference: "Conversations about Costume and the Visual Arts," 2000-2001

Box 2 of 3

Teodoro Vidal, 1997

Box 2 of 3

Stages for Producing Figures for Exhibitions

Box 2 of 3

National Index of Eighteenth Century American Clothing, 1977

Box 2 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Women's Bathing and Swimming Costume in the United States,"

Box 2 of 3

1968

Box 2 of 3

Correspondence regarding "Women's Bathing and Swimming Costume in the United

Box 2 of 3

States," 1966-1969

Box 2 of 3

Press Clippings in regard to "Women's Bathing and Swimming Costume in the United

Box 2 of 3

States," 1969, 1973

Box 2 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell and Margaret C. Christman: "Suiting Everyone: The Democratization

Box 2 of 3

of Clothing in America,"1974

Box 2 of 3

"Suiting Everyone" Catalogue: Publication Proposal, 1973-1974

Box 2 of 3

"Suiting Everyone" Catalogue: Correspondence, 1973-1975

Box 2 of 3

"Suiting Everyone" Catalogue: Reviews and Comments, 1976-1992

Box 2 of 3

"Suiting Everyone" Catalogue: Reprinting, 1975-1978

Box 2 of 3

"Suiting Everyone" Catalogue: Out-of-Print, 1984-1985

Box 2 of 3

Box 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Paper Patterns," 1976

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Bicentennial Outlook: Riches, Rags and In-between," 1976

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Apparel for Ballooning," 1977

Box 3 of 3

Correspondence regarding "Apparel for Ballooning," 1977-1978

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Short Gowns," 1978

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Cutting and Fashionable Fit: Dressmakers' Drafting Systems in

Box 3 of 3

the United States," 1979

Box 3 of 3

"Cutting and Fashionable Fit" Book Review, 1981

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell and Valerie Steele: "Men and Women: Dressing the Part," 1989

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Publication Proposal, 1984-1985

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Outline and Development, 1984-1986

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Valerie Steele Correspondence, 1984-1986

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Contacting Publishers, 1986

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Authors Objections, 1986

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Final Book Offers, 1987

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Contract, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988

Box 3 of 3

"Men and Women" Book: Reviews and Comments, 1989-1993

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Not Just Different Clothes," unpublished article for "Costume,"

Box 3 of 3

1989

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Transformation of the Women's Wear Industry into the Fashion

Box 3 of 3

Industry: Gender and the Ready-Made Industry in the United States," 1990

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell and Shelly Foote: "From Work to Leisure: Denim and a Changing

Box 3 of 3

America," 1994

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell, with Nancy Rexford: Forward to "Dressed for the Photographer:

Box 3 of 3

Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900" by Joan L. Severa, 1992-1995

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Are Those Clothes Real? Transforming the Way Eighteenth

Box 3 of 3

Century Portraits are Studied," 1997

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Making Choices: The Real and Pictorial Dresses of Margaret

Box 3 of 3

Marston Philipse Ogilvie (1728-1807)," 1999

Box 3 of 3

Use of Past Publication, 1979-1996

Box 3 of 3

Use of Research, 1998

Box 3 of 3

Use of Dressmaking Trade Research, 1995

Box 3 of 3

Citations, c. 1990s

Box 3 of 3

Shipping Containers for Eighteenth Century Costume Study, 1976

Box 3 of 3

Support for Computer Study of Everyday Clothing in Eighteenth Century America, 1977

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "The Study of Clothing Reveal the Wearer," 1984

Box 3 of 3

Costume Study Gallery, 1987-1989

Box 3 of 3

Claudia B. Kidwell: "Lipstick is Essential and other War-Time Decisions Defining

Box 3 of 3

Women's Appearance," 1995

Box 3 of 3

Celebrate with Style: Smithsonian Sesquicentennial Anniversary Fashion Doll

Box 3 of 3

Collection, 1997

Box 3 of 3

Lecture: "Clothes in Context: Symbolism of Costumes in Eighteenth Century American

Box 3 of 3

Portraits," National Portrait Gallery, 1987

Box 3 of 3

Lecture: "Gender Identity in Two and Three Dimensions," Winterthur Conference, 1993

Box 3 of 3

Lecture: John Singleton Copley, Material Culture Forum, 1996

Box 3 of 3

Report on Eighteenth Century Clothing and Accessories, Albany Institute of History

Box 3 of 3

and Art, 1998-2000

Box 3 of 3

Costume in Portraits, 1976-2000

Box 3 of 3

Lecture: "Stepping Out of a Painting: The Pitfalls of Using Portraiture for Reproducing

Box 3 of 3

Clothing," Gadsby Tavern Symposium, 1996

Box 3 of 3

Unpublished review of "John Singleton Copley in America," 1996

Box 3 of 3

Lecture: "Fashioning Identity in Colonial Portraits," c. 1995

Box 3 of 3

"Fashioning Identity in Portraits by John Singleton Copley, 1754-1774," 1994-1995

Box 3 of 3

Museum of History and Technology, 1964-1965 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 3