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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 19-152

National Museum of American History. Division of Culture and the Arts

Curatorial Records, 1933-2016

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:National Museum of American History. Division of Culture and the Arts
Title:Curatorial Records
Dates:1933-2016
Quantity:3.5 cu. ft. (3 record storage boxes) (1 document box)
Collection:Accession 19-152
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession consists of records documenting the curatorial and professional activities of photographic history collection staff in the Division of Culture and the Arts at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), with earlier records dating back to when the staff was in the Division of Information Technology and Society, the Division of Photographic History, the Division of Graphic Arts and Photography, and the Section of Photography in the Division of Graphic Arts at NMAH, which, prior to 1980, was known as the National Museum of History and Technology and the Museum of History and Technology, respectively. Some records predate the creation of NMAH when the Section of Photography was in the United States National Museum. Of special note are records pertaining to the collecting of World War II-era photographs taken by American soldiers and their families. Staff represented in these records include curators Alexander J. Wedderman, Jacob Kainen, Fuller O. Griffith, Arthur J. Olmsted, Eugene Ostroff, Michelle Anne Delaney, Mary K. Grassick, and Shannon Thomas Perich; assistant curator David Haberstich; museum specialist Debbie Griggs Carter; photo specialist Peter Liebhold; museum technician Horace D. Randolph; and research assistant Tony Brooks. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; annual reports; articles; gift agreements; information in regard to collections management, professional societies, conventions, special programs, and committees; photographs and negatives; a lecture paper; biographical information; clippings; and brochures. Some materials are in electronic format.

Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of records documenting the curatorial and professional activities of photographic history collection staff in the Division of Culture and the Arts at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), with earlier records dating back to when the staff was in the Division of Information Technology and Society, the Division of Photographic History, the Division of Graphic Arts and Photography, and the Section of Photography in the Division of Graphic Arts at NMAH, which, prior to 1980, was known as the National Museum of History and Technology and the Museum of History and Technology, respectively. Some records predate the creation of NMAH when the Section of Photography was in the United States National Museum. Of special note are records pertaining to the collecting of World War II-era photographs taken by American soldiers and their families.

Staff represented in these records include curators Alexander J. Wedderman, Jacob Kainen, Fuller Griffith, Arthur J. Olmsted, Eugene Ostroff, Michelle Anne Delaney, Mary K. Grassick, and Shannon Thomas Perich; assistant curator David Haberstich; museum specialist Debbie Griggs Carter; photo specialist Peter Liebhold; museum technician Horace D. Randolph; and research assistant Tony Brooks.

Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; annual reports; articles; gift agreements; information in regard to collections management, professional societies, conventions, special programs, and committees; photographs and negatives; a lecture paper; biographical information; clippings; and brochures. Some materials are in electronic format.

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Use Restriction

Restricted for 15 years; until Jan-01-2032. Records may contain personally identifiable information (PII) that is permanently restricted. Transferring office; 5/9/2007 memorandum, Johnstone to Hoover; Contact reference staff for details.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 19-152, National Museum of American History. Division of Culture and the Arts, Curatorial Records

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Container List

Box 1

General Correspondence, A-Z, 1988-1994 (14 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Box 2

General Correspondence, A-Z, 1988-1994

Box 2 of 4

General Correspondence, A-Z, 1995-2003 (9 folders)

Box 2 of 4

Society of Photographic Scientists and Engineers, 1985-1988 (3 folders)

Box 2 of 4

Photographic History Collecting Policy, 1984, 1990-1991

Box 2 of 4

Steering Committee on Collecting Plans, 1990-1992

Box 2 of 4

Box 3

Collection Census Estimates, 1975-1976

Box 3 of 4

Edith R. Meggers Collection, 1974

Box 3 of 4

Sidney S. Brashears Collection, 1970-1971

Box 3 of 4

Trans-Lux Posters List

Box 3 of 4

Section of Photography Annual Reports, 1933-1964 (3 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Eugene Ostroff: Biographical Information, 1999, 2006

Box 3 of 4

Eugene Ostroff: Correspondence, 1966-1994

Box 3 of 4

Eugene Ostroff: Photographs, circa 1985, 1987, and undated

Box 3 of 4

Eugene Ostroff: Lecture Paper, 1966

Box 3 of 4

Eugene Ostroff: Articles, 1965-1984 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Eugene Ostroff: Notes, 1970-1972

Box 3 of 4

World War Two Photography Collecting Project, 2005-2007 (includes electronic records) (8 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Box 4

David Haberstich: Correspondence, 1970, 1972

Box 4 of 4

David Haberstich: "Gide and the Fantasts: The Nature of Reality and Freedom," 1968

Box 4 of 4

David Haberstich: "A Comparison and Critique of Histories of Photography," 1966

Box 4 of 4

Collections Management Accountability Plan, 1993

Box 4 of 4

Cinema's Centennial Program, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Museum Support Center Objects List, 1993

Box 4 of 4

American Magic Lantern Convention, 1994

Box 4 of 4

Debbie Griggs: "Projection Apparatus for Science in Late Nineteenth Century America," 1992

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Cyclical Inventory Plan, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Museum of History and Technology Guidebook, 1965-1972

Box 4 of 4

The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, 1967

Box 4 of 4

Sarah Kate Gillespie, 2001-2005

Box 4 of 4

Julia L. Haifley, 1975

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: Photographers, 1987, 1989

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: Autochromes, 2007

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: Frederick E. Ives, 2008

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: Astronomy and Space, 2009

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: General Aniline and Film, 2010

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: Optical Toys and Novelties, 2011-2012

Box 4 of 4

Photographic History Collection: Patent Office Models, 2016

Box 4 of 4