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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 15-273

Museum Conservation Institute

Director's Records, 1959-2014

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Museum Conservation Institute
Title:Director's Records
Dates:1959-2014
Quantity:2 cu. ft. (2 record storage boxes)
Collection:Accession 15-273
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession consists of records that document the history and work of the Museum Conservation Institute (MCI). MCI serves as the center for specialized technical collection research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums and collections. Through knowledge of materials and through the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques MCI staff provides technical research studies and interpretation of artistic, anthropological, biological, and historical objects. Some materials in this accession date from when MCI was known as the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE) and the Conservation Analytical Laboratory (CAL). Directors documented in this accession include Charles Olin, 1966-1967; Robert M. Organ, 1968-1983; Alan Postlethwaite, Acting Director, 1983-1984; Lambertus Van Zelst, 1985-2003; and Robert J. Koestler, 2004- . Materials include correspondence, memoranda, reports, grant proposals, meeting agendas and minutes, organizational charts, strategic plans, presentations, staff lists, clippings, and images.

Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of records that document the history and work of the Museum Conservation Institute (MCI). MCI serves as the center for specialized technical collection research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums and collections. Through knowledge of materials and through the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques MCI staff provides technical research studies and interpretation of artistic, anthropological, biological, and historical objects. Some materials in this accession date from when MCI was known as the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE) and the Conservation Analytical Laboratory (CAL). Directors documented in this accession include Charles Olin, 1966-1967; Robert M. Organ, 1968-1983; Alan Postlethwaite, Acting Director, 1983-1984; Lambertus Van Zelst, 1985-2003; and Robert J. Koestler, 2004- . Materials include correspondence, memoranda, reports, grant proposals, meeting agendas and minutes, organizational charts, strategic plans, presentations, staff lists, clippings, and images.

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Use Restriction

Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2030; Transferring office; 10/01/2003 memoranda, Wright to N'Gadi; Contact reference staff for details.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-273, Museum Conservation Institute, Director's Records

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Container List

Box 1

Correspondence - Alan W. Postlethwaite, 1985-1993

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence - Lambertus Van Zelst, 1987-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence - Lambertus van Zelst and Helmut Schweppe, 1984-1993 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence - Lambertus van Zelst and Amy G. Poster, 1987

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence - Lambertus van Zelst and Zora Sweet Pinney, 1991-1992

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence - Department of Antiquities, Jordan, 1986, 1993

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence - General, 1966-1967, 1971, 1987-2003

Box 1 of 2

Analytical Laboratory at the Museum of History and Technology (MHT), 1959-1960

Box 1 of 2

Analytical and Preservation Laboratories Committee - Questionnaire, 1959-1964 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 2

MHT Analytical Laboratory, 1961-1962

Box 1 of 2

Committee on Conservation Research Laboratory, 1963-1965

Box 1 of 2

CAL activities, 1969-1970

Box 1 of 2

Conservation in the Smithsonian, Robert M. Organ, June 1971

Box 1 of 2

Senate Hearings - Robert M. Organ, July 18-19, 1973

Box 1 of 2

Climate Team report, 1984

Box 1 of 2

Read file, 1985

Box 1 of 2

Box 2

Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1985-1994

Box 2 of 2

Jordan-Ain-Ghazal figures - Treatment, 1986

Box 2 of 2

Furniture Conservation Training Program, 1986

Box 2 of 2

Grant proposals, 1986-1992 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 2

CAL/SCMRE Course listings, 1987-2004

Box 2 of 2

Report - Conservation and Preservation of Joya de Ceren, 1992

Box 2 of 2

CAL - Internal Planning Group, 1994

Box 2 of 2

CAL - Information, 1995

Box 2 of 2

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MCI and the Centre for the Study of Materials for Restoration - CESMAR7, 2000

Box 2 of 2

Management notes, October 2004

Box 2 of 2

Management notes, November 2004

Box 2 of 2

Management notes, December 2004 to February 2006

Box 2 of 2

Management notes, September 2004

Box 2 of 2

Archaeological Conservation Program - Final Report, Harriet F. Beaubien, 2004

Box 2 of 2

Smithsonian Conservation Discussion List, 2004

Box 2 of 2

Staff meetings, 2004-2014

Box 2 of 2

Meeting summary - National Museum of the American Indian, Jessie Johnson - Use of XRF, April 5, 2005

Box 2 of 2

SCMRE Regents Report Contribution, October 2005 to March 2006

Box 2 of 2

SCMRE reorganization plan, 2005

Box 2 of 2

Robert J. Koestler, Director, MCI - Meetings with David Evans, Under Secretary for Science, 2005-2007

Box 2 of 2

Smithsonian Directors Meetings, 2005-2007

Box 2 of 2

Topics in Museum Conservation - Lecture series announcements, 2005-2009

Box 2 of 2

MCI Visiting Committee report, 2006

Box 2 of 2

Mission statement elements, 2006

Box 2 of 2

Strategic Plan, 2006-2016, December 2006

Box 2 of 2

Project Summaries, 2006

Box 2 of 2

Project summaries, 2007

Box 2 of 2

Project summaries, 2008

Box 2 of 2

Staff list, 2008, 2011

Box 2 of 2

Presentations, 2009-2014

Box 2 of 2

Organizational chart

Box 2 of 2

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