Agency history, 1921-

Subject

Platt, Charles A (Charles Adams) 1861-1933
Mielke, Russell C
Bundy, John
Rawley, Weldon N
Evans, Robert W
Freer Gallery of Art Superintendent
Freer Gallery of Art
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Smithsonian Institution)
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Office of the Associate Director, Exhibitions and Facilities

This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
Telephone call to Robert W. Evans, 02/07/2002
Smithsonian Annals, 1940, 1956, 1991-1997
Smithsonian Directory, 1999
Building management of the Freer Gallery of Art began in 1921 when John Bundy, a representative of architect Charles A. Platt during the Gallery's construction, was hired by the Smithsonian as Superintendent, at times, referred to as Building Manager. In about 1991 the unit's name changed to Facilities Department.
After Bundy's death in 1939, Weldon N. Rawley became Superintendent. Rawley served from 1939 to 1955 and was followed by Russell C. Mielke, 1955-1977. Robert W. Evans was Building Manager or Superintendent, 1977-1991, then Head of Facilities, 1991- . The Facilities Department is subordinate to the Associate Director, Exhibitions and Facilities.
The Facilities Department performs custodial work and labor for the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. It has a tradition of hiring craftsmen as staff to perform artisan work, such as cabinet making for exhibitions.
For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Mixed archival materials

SIA AH00341