This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
Guide to the Smithsonian Archives, 1996
Smithsonian Year Supplement, 1986-1987
Smithsonian Directory, 2017
LinkedIn, Jackie Reimann, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-reimann-037a237/details/experience/, accessed November 21, 2022
National Museum of American History website, https://americanhistory.si.edu/, 2008-2022
Rebecca B. Clapp was the first Special Events Officer within the National Museum of History and Technology (NMHT), taking the position in 1975. She was succeeded by Geraldine E. Sanderson in 1976. In 1978 Sanderson's title was changed to Public Information Officer, still responsible for special events. When NMHT was renamed the National Museum of American History (NMAH) in 1980, the special events staff was separated from Public Affairs to become the Office of Special Events. Susan B. Beaudette was appointed Museum Program Coordinator for the Office, reporting to the Director of NMAH. The Office of Special Events was placed under the Office of External Affairs in 1986, which was renamed the Department of Public Services about 1995 and was transferred to the Department of Capital Campaign and External Affairs about 1998. By 2017 the Office of Special Events was under the Office of External Affairs.
The Office of Special Events creates, designs, and implements all facets of the receptions, dinners, donation ceremonies, and other special events at the Museum. The office also provides corporations, associations, and other organizations the opportunity to co-host a dinner or reception as a benefit of making a charitable contribution to the educational program of the Museum.
Staff have included Rebecca B. Clapp, Special Events Officer, 1975; Geraldine E. Sanderson, Special Events Officer, 1976-1977, Public Information Officer, 1978-1980; Susan B. Beaudette, Museum Program Coordinator, 1981-1985; Anne Walton, Special Events Assistant, 1983-1987; Renee Kortum, Museum Support Manager, 1985; Anne Spivak, Special Events Coordinator, 1988-1991; Bee Gee Thompson, Special Events Coordinator, 1992-1998; Elizabeth Little, Special Events Coordinator, 1988-2001, Director, 2002-2013; Jackie Reimann, Special Events Coordinator, 2008-2013, Deputy Director, 2013-2015, Director, 2015-2017; Abbey Hunter, Director, 2018; and Elise Luthi, Director, 2021- .
For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.
Repository Loc.:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520
