The position of the Assistant Secretary for History and Art was intended to create the office of the Secretary's principal deputy for oversight and control of the art and history units of the Smithsonian.

In 1967 Charles Blitzer was named Acting Assistant Secretary for History and Art. Blitzer, who had been Director of the Office of Education and Training from 1965, became Assistant Secretary and served 1968-1983. John E. Reinhardt, 1983-1984, and Dean W. Anderson, 1984-1985, served as Acting Assistant Secretary. The office was abolished in 1985.