The Division of Community Life was created by the National Museum of History and Technology in 1978 from the former Division of Ethnic and Western Cultural History. The Division studied the American community, urban life, and popular culture, including education, immigration, and labor movements. In 1995 it was merged into a new Division of Cultural History.

Staff included Richard E. Ahlborn, Curator, 1978-1994; Carl H. Scheele, Curator, 1978-1987; Spencer R. Crew, Curator, 1988-1989; Bernice Johnson Reagon, Curator, 1988-1993; Lonnie G. Bunch, Curator, 1990-1991; Charles McGovern, Curator, 1989-1991; and Marvette Perez, Curator, 1991, 1993-1994.