Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Record Unit 284
Cooper-Hewitt Museum. Department of Membership and Programs
Records, 1973-1978
Historical Note
The Department of Membership and Programs handles the Cooper-Hewitt Museum's fundraising, special events, education, membership, and volunteer programs. One of the fundraising programs is the annual benefit auction of antiques and fine works of art. From 1974 to 1976, the funds earned from these auctions were used for the renovation of the Carnegie Mansion, and since 1977, to support the Museum's education programs.
The first auction was coordinated by Dorothy Twining Globus, an Exhibits Specialist in the Museum. Mary Kerr, Assistant Registrar, coordinated the second auction in 1975. In 1976, responsibility for the auctions was combined with a new membership program under Kerr as Membership Coordinator.
Descriptive Entry
These records consist of correspondence with prospective donors for cash donations or donation of items for auctions; invitations to the auction and auction-related events; photographs of items for auction; drafts for auction catalogues; invitations and announcements; auction bids; expense statements; sale receipts; and newspaper and journal articles. Other records concern the special events programs such as the Save Venice fundraising picnic, 1977; the opening of the Carnegie Mansion, 1976; and the 75th anniversary of the Carnegie Mansion, 1977. The Department's inactive volunteer files are also included.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
Subject
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 284, Cooper-Hewitt Museum. Department of Membership and Programs, Records