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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 623

National Museum of History and Technology. Office of the Director

Exhibition Records, 1948-1965

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:National Museum of History and Technology. Office of the Director
Title:Exhibition Records
Dates:1948-1965
Quantity:10 cu. ft. (10 record storage boxes)
Collection:Record Unit 623
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This record unit contains some information on post-World War II exhibition planning at the Smithsonian. However, in the main, it documents the involvement of the Office of the Director in exhibition planning at the Museum from its creation in 1957 through 1965. Directors represented in this collection include Frank A. Taylor (1958-1964) and John Canfield Ewers (1964-1965).

Records contain information on the planning of exhibitions for a new Museum of History and Technology and their subsequent installation and modification, as well as Museum exhibits in the Arts and Industries Building. They track efforts to select contractors, choose exhibition items, and plan and construct exhibition halls. Records of the Director's dealings with Smithsonian administrators and colleagues are also included.

Descriptive Entry

This record unit contains some information on post-World War II exhibition planning at the Smithsonian. However, in the main, they document the involvement of the Office of the Director in exhibition planning at the Museum of History and Technology (MHT) from its creation in 1957 through 1965. Directors represented in this collection include Frank A. Taylor (1958-1964) and John Canfield Ewers (1964-1965).

Records contain information on the planning of exhibitions for a new Museum of History and Technology and their subsequent installation and modification, as well as Museum exhibits in the Arts and Industries Building. They track efforts to select contractors, choose exhibition items, and plan and construct exhibition halls. Records of the Director's dealings with Smithsonian administrators and colleagues are also included.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 623, National Museum of History and Technology. Office of the Director, Exhibition Records

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Container List

Box 1

Audio Tours, 1958-1964

Box 1 of 10

Audio Tours - Brochures, 1960

Box 1 of 10

Audio Tours - Scripts and Development, 1959-1964

Box 1 of 10

Cases and Fixtures, MHT (other than Peter Schladermundt Associates), 1956-1964

Box 1 of 10

Committee to Coordinate Exhibits Planning, 1955-1956

Box 1 of 10

Contract Design, MHT, 1959-1961

Box 1 of 10

Contract Design, MHT, Peter Schladermundt Associates, 1958-1964

Box 1 of 10

Corridor Exhibits, MHT, 1964

Box 1 of 10

Criticisms of Exhibits, MHT, 1964

Box 1 of 10

Curators' Scripts - General, 1956-1963

Box 1 of 10

Docent Service, 1955-1964

Box 1 of 10

Exhibits - MHT, 1959-1964

Box 1 of 10

Exhibits - General, 1957-1965

Box 1 of 10

Exhibits Laboratory, MHT, 1957-1964

Box 1 of 10

Exhibit Openings, 1963-1964

Box 1 of 10

Hall Booklets and Popular Publications, 1958-1964

Box 1 of 10

Hall Planning and Development - General, 1956-1959 and undated

Box 1 of 10

Heavy Objects, 1958-1964

Box 1 of 10

History of the Smithsonian Exhibits Program, 1941-1961

Box 1 of 10

History of the Smithsonian Exhibit, MHT, 1961

Box 1 of 10

Installation Schedules, MHT, 1960-1964

Box 1 of 10

Kingman Reports on Exhibit Plans, 1957-1959

Box 1 of 10

Lighting, 1956-1964

Box 1 of 10

Photographs of Exhibits - Lists, 1962

Box 1 of 10

Status Report: Cases, Fixtures, Architectural - October 28; Museum of History and Technology - 1964

Box 1 of 10

Teachers' Guide to the Smithsonian, 1947, 1957. Includes letters from students at Brookland School, Washington, DC, 1947.

Box 1 of 10

Temporary Exhibits - General, 1964-1965

Box 1 of 10

Temporary Exhibits - Gallery, First Floor, 1958-1964

Box 1 of 10

Temporary Exhibits - Third Floor, 1964-1965

Box 1 of 10

Visitor Orientation and Services, 1958-1964

Box 1 of 10

Watson Period Rooms (1), MHT, 1958-1959

Box 1 of 10

Watson Period Rooms (2), MHT, 1960-1964

Box 1 of 10

Workload Reports - Definitions and Authorization, 1954-1962

Box 1 of 10

Box 2

Everyday Life in American Past, 1957-1964 (3 folders)

Box 2 of 10

Glass, 1956-1967 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 10

Ceramics, 1956-1966 (5 folders)

Box 2 of 10

Costumes, 1956-1964 and undated (3 folders)

Box 2 of 10

Graphic Arts, 1956-1967

Box 2 of 10

Graphic Arts - Hand Processes, 1963-1964

Box 2 of 10

Graphic Arts - Photomechanical Processes, c. 1964

Box 2 of 10

Graphic Arts Salon, 1963-1964

Box 2 of 10

Mint Collection, c. 1964

Box 2 of 10

Box 3

Musical Instruments, c. 1964

Box 3 of 10

Photography, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Hall of Photography Script, 1967-1968

Box 3 of 10

Political History, c. 1964

Box 3 of 10

First Ladies, 1956-1967 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Greenough Statue, 1958-1964

Box 3 of 10

Historic Americans, 1956-1965 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Textiles, 1956-1967 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Textiles - Arts and Industries Building, 1958-1961

Box 3 of 10

Armed Forces History, 1956-1967 (4 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Art and Biography, c. 1964

Box 3 of 10

Art and Biography, Armed Forces, 1959-1960

Box 3 of 10

Gunboat, 1960-1964 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Heraldry, 1956-1968 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Hall of Heraldry - Temporary, 1964-1965

Box 3 of 10

Ordnance, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 10

Box 4

Underwater Exploration, c. 1964

Box 4 of 10

Electricity, 1957-1967 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Electricity - Component Tallies, undated

Box 4 of 10

Watercraft, 1964-1968

Box 4 of 10

Agriculture, 1956-1967 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Agriculture - Arts and Industries Building, 1958-1959

Box 4 of 10

Forest Products Script, 1966

Box 4 of 10

Forest Products Exhibit, undated

Box 4 of 10

Mining, 1961-1964

Box 4 of 10

Petroleum, 1958-1967 (3 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Petroleum - Arts and Industries Building, 1957-1963

Box 4 of 10

Wood Technology, 1956-1963 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Civil Engineering, 1958-1967 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Heavy Machinery, 1957-1964

Box 4 of 10

Heavy Machinery - Power, 1963-1964 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Industrial Cooperation, 1958-1964 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Iron and Steel, 1963-1964

Box 4 of 10

Light Machinery, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 10

Tools, 1956-1964

Box 4 of 10

Exhibit 1N - Maritime Activities in Colonies

Box 4 of 10

Exhibit 2N - Ships Gun

Box 4 of 10

Exhibit - 3N Navy in the Revolution

Box 4 of 10

Exhibit 4N - War of 1812

Box 4 of 10

Exhibit 5N - 1815-1846 (Exploration and Protection of Commerce; Naval Exploration Expedition; Ship Model/Flying Fish; Ship Model/Vincennes; Half Models; Ship Model/Delaware

Box 4 of 10

Exhibit 6N - War with Mexico

Box 4 of 10

Box 5

Exhibit 7N - Navy Diplomacy Science and Engineering, 1848-1861

Box 5 of 10

Exhibit 8N - Navy in the Civil War

Box 5 of 10

Exhibit 11N - Relics of the Maine

Box 5 of 10

Exhibit 13N - Battle of Manila Bay

Box 5 of 10

Exhibit 21N - Naval Power in the Pacific/World War II

Box 5 of 10

Hall of Tools, 1963-1966

Box 5 of 10

Tools - Arts and Industries Building, 1959

Box 5 of 10

Tunnels - Design and Production, 1960-1962

Box 5 of 10

Medical Sciences, 1956-1964

Box 5 of 10

Medical Sciences - Arts and Industries Building, 1957-1961

Box 5 of 10

Medical Sciences - Art Designers, Inc., 1961-1967

Box 5 of 10

Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Health, c. 1963-1964

Box 5 of 10

Hall of Pharmaceutical History Script (2 folders)

Box 5 of 10

Physics - Section I: Units 1-16, c. 1964-1966

Box 5 of 10

Physics - Section II: Units 17-29, c. 1964-1966

Box 5 of 10

Physics - Section III: Units 30-42, c. 1964-1966

Box 5 of 10

Physics - Section IV: Units 43-50, c. 1964-1966

Box 5 of 10

Physics and Astronomy, 1956-1965

Box 5 of 10

Chemistry, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 5 of 10

Current Scripts - Hall of Physical Sciences, July 1967-1968

Box 5 of 10

Physics

Box 5 of 10

Nuclear Energy, 1959-1966 (3 folders)

Box 5 of 10

Box 6

Transportation, 1958-1964

Box 6 of 10

Autos and Coaches, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 6 of 10

Railroads, 1958-1966 (2 folders)

Box 6 of 10

Watercraft, 1956-1964

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics, 1958-1966

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - Arts and Industries Building, 1957-1963

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - Section IV

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - Section V: Units 1-5

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - History of Money

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - Section VI

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - The A.N.A. Collection (American Numismatic Association)

Box 6 of 10

Numismatics - Paul A. Straub Collection (2 folders)

Box 6 of 10

Philately (2 folders)

Box 6 of 10

Philately, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 6 of 10

Philately - Case Specifications, 1962

Box 6 of 10

Box 7

Philately - Ward and Saks, 1960-1961 (2 folders)

Box 7 of 10

Exhibits Editors - General, 1959-1964

Box 7 of 10

Exhibit Halls, 1956-1958

Box 7 of 10

Flag Hall, 1964

Box 7 of 10

Growth of the United States, 1956-1964 (2 folders)

Box 7 of 10

Growth of the United States - Hall II, 1966

Box 7 of 10

Growth of the United States - Hall III, 1967

Box 7 of 10

Growth of the United States - Hall IV, 1967

Box 7 of 10

Administrative Correspondence - Departments, 1959-1965

Box 7 of 10

Administrative Correspondence - Departments/Armed Forces History, 1958-1965

Box 7 of 10

Administrative Correspondence - Departments/Arts and Manufactures, 1958-1965

Box 7 of 10

Administrative Correspondence - Departments/Civil History, 1955-1965

Box 7 of 10

Administrative Correspondence - Office of Exhibits, 1958-1964

Box 7 of 10

Administrative Correspondence - Departments/Science and Technology, 1960-1965

Box 7 of 10

Amundson, Carolyn E., 1958-1962. Includes photograph of Amundson with S. Dillon Ripley.

Box 7 of 10

Architects - General, 1956-1964

Box 7 of 10

Architectural Changes - (to be made after occupancy), 1963-1964

Box 7 of 10

Ceiling Heights, MHT, 1959-1964

Box 7 of 10

Constitution Avenue Entrance, MHT, 1964

Box 7 of 10

Construction, 1958-1964

Box 7 of 10

Dedication, 1963-1964

Box 7 of 10

Educational Programs, 1956-1965

Box 7 of 10

Budget, 1952-1953 (3 folders). Includes budgetary information and projections for the entire Smithsonian Institution.

Box 7 of 10

Manuscripts and Publications, 1959-1965

Box 7 of 10

MHT Labels - Miscellaneous

Box 7 of 10

MHT - Other than exhibits

Box 7 of 10

Miscellaneous Information on the Building

Box 7 of 10

Museum Philosophy, 1956-1958

Box 7 of 10

Divisions - Office and Storage, 1958-1964

Box 7 of 10

Box 8

Publications - Distribution, 1958-1965

Box 8 of 10

Review of Drawings Other than Exhibit Halls, 1958-1959

Box 8 of 10

Space - General, 1956-1964

Box 8 of 10

Space Analysis, 1957

Box 8 of 10

Special Exhibits, 1959-1965

Box 8 of 10

Special Exhibits Gallery - First Floor, 1964

Box 8 of 10

Suitland Storage, 1964

Box 8 of 10

Union Station, 1964

Box 8 of 10

Air Museum Modernization, 1958-1964

Box 8 of 10

Arts and Industries Building, 1958-1964

Box 8 of 10

Arts and Industries Building - North Hall, 1957-1964

Box 8 of 10

Anthropology and the Nation's Capital, 1957-1960

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit Projects other than MHT - General, 1963

Box 8 of 10

Special Exhibits - General (excluding MHT), 1959-1964

Box 8 of 10

Foyer, Ad Hoc Committee on the Renovation of, 1959-1960

Box 8 of 10

Natural History Building - General, 1957-1964

Box 8 of 10

Regents Exhibit, 1961-1964

Box 8 of 10

Regents Exhibit - Extension for Public Viewing, 1959-1962

Box 8 of 10

Smithsonian Building, 1957-1964

Box 8 of 10

Smithsonian Building - Renovation of, 1963-1964

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 01A - North America in the Early 1600's; and Exhibit 02A - Origins of the Army

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 03A - Period of Colonization

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 04A - Capture of Louisbourg

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 05A - French and Indian War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 06A - Birth of the Army

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 07A - Turning Points of the War; Exhibit 7A1- British Infantry Gun; Exhibit 7A2 - Gansevoort Uniform; Exhibit 7A3- Meigs Sword

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 09A - Making of the Army

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 10A - Victory with the help of France

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 11A - Camp Chest

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 12A - The New Army

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 13A - Fort Hill Flag

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 14A - Exploration in the West

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 16A - The War of 1812

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 17A - General Gansevoort Uniform

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 18A - Kettle Drum

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 20A - Internal Growth of the Nation

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 21A - Advancing the Frontier

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 22A - Flag/Militia 1820

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 23A - Military Engineering

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 24A - Uniform: Sergeant of Dragoons

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 25A - Uniform: Colonel/Engineers

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 26A - War With Mexico

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 26A1 - Company of Sappers; Miners and Pontoniers

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 27A - Flag/Co. I 4th Regiment

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 28A - The Mexican Army

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 29A - Uniform: Musician/Artillery

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 30A - Theater of Operations

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 31A - Widening Frontiers

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 32A - Uniform: Sergeant/1857

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 33A - Napoleon Field Gun

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 34A - Ammunition for Field Guns

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 35A - Caisson and Limbers

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 36A - The Drift to War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 37A - The War Develops

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 38A - The Turning Points of the Civil War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 39A - The Drive to Victory

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 40A - Uniform: Confederate Pvt.

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 41A - Uniform: Durea Zovave

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 42A - Uniform: Union Pvt.

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 43A - Tree Trunk

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 44A - General Sheridan's Horse

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 45A - The Soldier and His Stomach

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 46A - Wall Relief Map

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 47A - Aeronautics Civil War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 48A - The Way West

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 49A - The Indian Wars

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 50A - New Missions/Science

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 51A - Army Saddler's Shop

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 52A - The Red Man's Weapons

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 54A - The China Relief Expedition

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 55A - The War With Spain; The Philippine Insurrection

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 58A - Gatling Gun

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 64A - Kaiser's Field Chest

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 66A - Pershing's Operations Map

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 70A - The First World War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 73A - Uniform: General Pershing

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 74A - Uniform: General Summerall

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 75A - The Army, 1919-1941

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 77A - World War II

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 78A - Uniform: Paratrooper, WW II

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 80A - 105 MM Howitzer

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 83A - The Cold War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 84A - M14 Rifle

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 85A - The Korean Conflict

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 1CG - Origins of the Coast Guard

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 2CG - Revenue Marine, 1817-1860

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 1M - Marines in the Revolution

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 2M - Beginnings of the Marine Corps

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 3M - The Marine Corps, 1816-1845

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 4M - Marines in the Mexican War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 5M - The Marine Corps, 1848-1861

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 6M - Marines in the Civil War

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 7M - Marines, 1866-1898

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 8M - Flag

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 9M1 - Marine Corps, WW II; Exhibit 9M2 - Uniform; Exhibit 9M3 - Uniform; Exhibit 9M4 - Model; Exhibit 9M5 - Model; Exhibit 9M6 - Poster; Exhibit 9M7 - Flag

Box 8 of 10

Exhibit 10M - Between Wars/Armed Forces Hall (2 folders)

Box 8 of 10

Box 9

Uniform Case

Box 9 of 10

Commodore Perry

Box 9 of 10

Perry Film - Armed Forces

Box 9 of 10

MHT Design Plans/Blueprints/Drawings, c. 1958-1964 (3 folders)

Box 9 of 10

Exhibit Scripts - Hall of Heavy Machinery - Hydraulic Power

Box 9 of 10

Exhibit Scripts - Hall of Heavy Machinery, 1961-1964

Box 9 of 10

Exhibit Scripts - Heavy Machinery/Physical Sciences/Physics, 1963-1966

Box 9 of 10

Exhibit Scripts - Armed Forces: World War II to Cold War

Box 9 of 10

Exhibit Scripts - Armed Forces (2 folders)

Box 9 of 10

MHT - Blueprints and Photographs (2 folders)

Box 9 of 10

Fire Engine Section, F1-F9, c. 1964-1967

Box 9 of 10

Engines

Box 9 of 10

Bicycles Section, B1-B16

Box 9 of 10

Motorcycle Section, M1-M4

Box 9 of 10

Truck Section, T1-T5

Box 9 of 10

Autos and Coaches, c. 1960 (3 folders)

Box 9 of 10

Box 10

Numismatics - Drawers 1-6

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Case Layouts 10-19

Box 10 of 10

Kointain

Box 10 of 10

Art Work

Box 10 of 10

Maps

Box 10 of 10

Specimens

Box 10 of 10

Hart Exhibit

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics. Includes blueprints.

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - The A.N.A. Collection

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Section IV

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Exhibit Cases and Scripts

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Straub Collection

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Straub Script: 1-11 (3 folders)

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Straub Case Diagrams

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Case Diagrams

Box 10 of 10

Mint Case Diagrams

Box 10 of 10

Number Sheets - Straub, etc.

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Straub Extra Script

Box 10 of 10

Numismatics - Label Text

Box 10 of 10

Petroleum Hall

Box 10 of 10

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