The Office of Cooperative Programs was created in 1987 to develop lectures, films, and seminars for the public and lectures for the staff. The Office had previously been a part of the Department of Museum Operations. Helen C. McMahon was selected as its first manager and served 1987-1996. She had previously served as Chief of Special Projects and Publications, Chief of Aerospace Education and Publications, and Director of Educational Planning. Pamela Blalock was the Program Coordinator 1993-1996. In 1996, the department was abolished, and its functions were largely dispersed to other offices, including the Aeronautics Division, Space History Division, and Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.