Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Record Unit 626
Smithsonian Resident Associate Program. Office of the Director
Records, 1967-1991
Historical Note
The Smithsonian Resident Associate Program was originally established in September 1965 as the Smithsonian Society of Associates, to raise funds for the Institution by involving members in its work and activities. Executive Secretary Elizabeth Knight managed the organization until her resignation in May 1966. In June Lisa Suter took charge as Program Director, and in September 1966 the organization was renamed the Smithsonian Associates. Susan Hamilton replaced Suter in July 1969, and "Smithsonian" magazine was launched in April 1970. The organization was then divided into the National Program and the Resident Program, and Hamilton became the Director of the latter. In 1972 the two Programs were consolidated under the management of Executive Director Robert W. Mason, and in July Janet Solinger replaced Hamilton as Director of the expanded and renamed Smithsonian Resident Associates Program, which became the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program (RAP) in 1974.
Descriptive Entry
The records of the Director of the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program document the administration and operations of the organization. They contain correspondence and memoranda concerning the budget, fiscal planning, and fundraising, as well as lectures, seminars, and performances offered by RAP. The files also include contact sheets showing staff receptions and public events; scrapbooks of newspaper clippings; and promotional material. In addition, the records document planning for the 20th and 25th anniversaries of the Program.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
- Knight, Elizabeth
- Taylor, Lisa, 1933-1991
- Hamilton, Susan A.
- Mason, Robert W.
- Solinger, Janet W.
- Smithsonian Society of Associates
- Smithsonian Associates
- Smithsonian Institution -- Administration
- Smithsonian Magazine
Subject
- Museums -- Educational aspects
- Associations, institutions, etc. -- Membership
- Museums -- Public relations
- Publicity
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 626, Smithsonian Resident Associate Program, Office of the Director, Records