National Zoological Park (U.S.) Scientific Research Division Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Division of Interpretation Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of the Director Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of Education and Information Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Information and Education Section Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Division of Exhibition and Information Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of Public Information Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of Education and Public Information Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Office of Public Affairs Search this
Type:
Mixed archival materials
Date:
1983
1983-
Category:
Agency History
Notes:
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.
Smithsonian Directory, 1962-1999
Smithsonian Year, 1965, 1981, 1985, 1988
Guide to the Smithsonian Archives, 1996
Obituary, R. J. Hoage, by Bart Barnes, May 12, 2012, Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/robert-j-hoage-spokesman-for-national-zoo-dies-at-66/2012/05/12/gIQAo5v0KU_story.html, accessed February 2, 2023
LinkedIn, Julie Mason, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieemason/, accessed February 2, 2023
National Zoological Park, Meet the Staff, http://nationalzoo.si.edu/AboutUs/Staff/zoochart2.cfm, 2004-2006
National Zoological Park, About, Staff, Pamela Baker-Masson, https://nationalzoo.si.edu/about/staff/pamela-baker-masson, accessed February 2, 2023
The National Zoological Park created the Office of Public Affairs in 1983, although public affairs functions were performed earlier. Prior to 1962, the staff of the Office of the Director was responsible for these functions. After 1962, public relations became part of the Zoo's education and exhibition work. Several administrative and title changes took place before the Office of Public Affairs split from the Office of Education and came under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Director in 1983.
The Office of Public Affairs provides general information on Zoo programs and activities to the public, schools, and media. It has taken a hand in creating courses for wild-life lovers, publications, and public symposia.
The Information and Education Section of the Scientific Research Division, Office of the Director, was led by Marion P. McCrane, 1962-1968, then Sybil E. Hamlet, 1968-1971. In 1972, Chief Saul W. Schiffman ran the Division of Exhibition and Information with Public Information Officer Hamlet. In 1973, the same managers directed the Division of Interpretation. From 1974-1975, Judith White was chief of the Office of Education and Public Information, while Hamlet maintained her former position. Patricia Hurley ran the Office of Public Affairs from about 1979-1980. Then, Chief R. J. Hoage led the Office of Public Information, 1980-1981; the Office of Education and Public Information, 1981-1983; and the Office of Public Affairs, 1983-2003. After the retirement of Hoage in 2003, Julie Mason served as the head of the newly named Public Affairs and Communications Department until 2005. Carolyn Martin served as Associate Director from 2005-2006. Following Martin, Pamela Baker-Masson was appointed the Director of Communications in 2007.
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
