Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Accession 19-138
Smithsonian American Art Museum. Curatorial Office
Exhibition Records, 1990-2004
Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of records documenting the planning, development and production of the exhibition Secrets of the Dark Chamber: The Art of the American Daguerreotype at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, which, prior to 2000, was known as the National Museum of American Art. The exhibition featured daguerreotypes from public and private collections, with a focus on how the medium contributed to American art and culture. Staff represented in these records include curator Mary A. Foresta and curatorial assistant Betsy Anderson. A book prepared for the exhibition was co-authored by Foresta and John Wood, professor of English at McNeese State University. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; exhibition and book proposals; scripts; loan information; object checklists; budget summaries; press releases and articles; brochures; an exhibition catalog; a press kit; public program information; and photographs.
Restrictions
Access RestrictionBox 1 contains materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid. Transferring office; 01/08/2007 memorandum, Toda to Earle; Contact reference staff for details.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
- Anderson, Betsy
- Foresta, Merry A.
- McNeese State University
- National Museum of American Art (U.S.)
- Secrets of the Dark Chamber: The Art of the American Daguerreotype (Exhibition) (1995: Washington, D.C.)
- Secrets of the Dark Chamber: The Art of the American Daguerreotype (Monograph : 1995)
- Wood, John, 1947 January 2-
Subject
- Art museum curators
- Art museums
- Art, American
- Daguerreotype
- Museum exhibits
- Museum loans
- Museums -- Collection management
- Museums -- Educational aspects
- Museums -- Public relations
- Photography -- History
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 19-138, Smithsonian American Art Museum. Curatorial Office, Exhibition Records