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 Institution Archives.
Smithsonian Institution, "The National Portrait Gallery," [http://npg.si.edu], accessed on September 14, 1999.
The Department of Education was part of the Historian's Office from 1969 until 1971. It became a separate entity in 1971 when James R. Vivian, III, was appointed Curator of Education. He was succeeded by Dennis A. O'Toole, who served from 1972 through 1978. In January 1979, Ken Yellis was appointed Curator of Education and served in that capacity through circa 1988. Additional staff included: Robert N. Works, Assistant Curator of Education, 1969-1970; Ruth Hill, Education Program Coordinator, 1982- ; Jewell Robinson, Public Program Director, 1993- ; and Leni Buff, 1975- , Acting Chief/Curator of Education, circa 1988- .
The Department of Education is responsible for preparing educational materials and organizing exhibitions related to the history of the United States, its culture, biography, and the history of the art of portraiture, as reflected in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery. The department interacts with elementary and secondary-school students, senior citizens, handicapped persons, and daily Gallery visitors. Information is disseminated through educational outreach programs, Gallery tours, and public programs in order to address the full range of American history and portraiture, and to reach the widest possible audience.
Repository Loc.:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520
