Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Accession 23-021
National Museum of American History. Archives Center
Chair Records, 1971-2020
Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of the files of John Fleckner. Fleckner was appointed Archivist, 1982-1983, Senior Archivist, 1984-1989, and Chief Archivist/Chair, 1990-2007. In 2007 Fleckner stepped down as Chair but remained as a part-time staff member until retiring in 2021. Some materials predate his time at the Smithsonian and the creation of the Archives Center.
Fleckner was a history graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, receiving the M.A. in 1965, and received the B.A. from Colgate University in 1963. At the State Historical Society of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1982, Fleckner directed a thirteen-member archival network affiliated with the Society and, with the help of others, made the Area Research Center system a national model. He has also been a faculty member in the Department of Museum Studies at George Washington University.
These materials document Fleckner's work leading the Archives Center and its staff on exhibitions, collections acquisitions, information technology, collections management systems, strategic planning, policies and procedures, fundraising, public relations, special projects, and the management and history of the Archives Center. His other activities documented include his tenure as Acting Director of the Archives of American Art, 1987-1988; his work with the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation; and his work teaching the Archives Practices course for the Museum Studies Program at George Washington University. Also featuring prominently in the collection is Fleckner's professional work consulting with archives, collaborating with professional organizations, giving talks and presentations, and writings for journals and newsletters. Of particular interest is Fleckner's work with Native American archives and the acquisition of the Scurlock Studio Records. Some materials date to before Fleckner's tenure at the Smithsonian. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, reports, staff meeting minutes, statistics, evaluations, surveys, budget records, conference records, fundraising records, newsletters, brochures, and images. Some materials are in digital format.
Restrictions
Use RestrictionRestricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2036; Transferring office; 07/18/2014 memorandum, Toda to Richardson; 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
- Archives of American Art
- Colgate University
- Fleckner, John A., 1941-
- George Washington University. Department of Museum Studies
- Lemelson Center
- Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.)
- State Historical Society of Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin
Subject
- Archives -- Acquisitions
- Archives -- Administration
- Archives -- Collection management
- Archives -- Processing
- Archives -- Public relations
- Archives -- Reference services
- Archives and education
- Archivists
- Indians of North America -- Archives
- Museum archives
- Museum exhibits
- Strategic planning
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 23-021, National Museum of American History. Archives Center, Chair Records