Riddick Vann, a former Exhibit Designer for the National American History Museum, discusses how he came to serve on a committee to develop the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now Anacostia Community Museum). He describes how the committee came to select the Carver Theater as the site, John Kinard as the director, and the many other topics they considered. He recalls how the museum affected and impacted the Anacostia neighborhood upon opening. In remembering people who influenced the museum's development, he highlights the tremendous work of Louise Hutchinson, the historian who researched and presented the exhibits, and John Kinard, the first director. He comments on the experimental nature of the museum, and how its success influenced museums around the country.
The interview was conducted on July 16, 1991. There is background noise throughout the record, but the interviewee can be heard clearly throughout.
Biographical / Historical:
Riddick Vann (1930-2022) graduated from the Howard University School of Architecture. He worked as an Assistant Professor for the School of Architecture and Planning, teaching Museum Design and Architectural Photography. He designed the University Museum for the Moorland Spingarn Research Center, and was a tennis coach at the University of the District of Columbia. He worked at the Smithsonian Institution National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of American History`, the Anacostia Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History, with over 30 years of service. He also served as the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Ward 4A04 (Brightwood, DC) November 1992-2002.
Provenance:
Conducted as part of the ACM 25th Anniversary Oral History Project, which includes approximately 100 interviews of residents and influential people of the Anacostia area of Washington, DC.
Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Genre/Form:
Oral histories (document genres)
Collection Citation:
ACM 25th Anniversary Oral History Project, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution
