9.48 cu. ft. (6 record storage boxes) (1 document box) (3 oversize folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Drawings
Posters
Date:
1982-1988
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of materials documenting the research and production of the exhibition "Magnificent Voyagers, United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842,"
curated by Herman J. Viola. Materials include research materials, funding proposals, contact sheets, speech notes, loan records, evaluations, committee materials, drafts of
some chapters, and some oversize graphics.
The Natural Partners Program was established in 1997 and was responsible for developing on average six distance learning modules a year that were Smithsonian based
and supported National Education Standards. Each module or unit integrated content with the following technologies: live two-way video conferencing, electronic field trips,
interactive curricula-based web sites, development of both internet and intranet sites, satellite broadcast and a variety of multimedia presentations and products. The development
of each module required coordination of a team made up of representatives from the various partners that made up the Natural Partners. Beyond these programmatic initiatives,
Natural Partners was responsible for building the public side of the virtual, digital museum. This includes creating a publicly accessible, educationally meaningful digital
collection of over 100,000 objects and associated text material. From this foundation, a series of virtual tours, field trips, and on-line activities was created. These materials
came to the Archives upon the disbanding of the Natural Partners Program in the fall of 2006. Materials include brochures, color slides and photographs, clippings, correspondence,
grant proposals, website information, curriculum, maps, architectural drawings, and video and audio cassettes.
This accession consists of press releases related to the National Museum of Natural History's exhibitions, public programs, research, events, and administrative changes.
Materials also include statements to the press, fact sheets, and related materials. Some press releases were issued by partnering organizations or the Smithsonian Institution,
Office of Public Affairs.
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2034. Records may contain personally identifiable information (PII) that is permanently restricted; Transferring office; 12/2/2022 memorandum, Johnstone to File; Contact reference staff for details
This accession consists of an informational page about the Butterfly Pavilion maintained by the Office of Education and Outreach at the National Museum of Natural History.
The page is part of the museum website and was crawled on April 3, 2020. It includes a description of the experience, hours, prices, and a butterfly identification guide.
Materials are in electronic format.
This accession consists of the National Museum of Natural History's collection search website as it existed on February 21, 2020. This website allows the public to
search collections maintained by the Department of Anthropology, the Department of Botany, the Department of Entomology, the Department of Invertebrate Zoology, the Department
of Mineral Sciences, the Department of Paleobiology, and the Department of Vertebrate Zoology, including the Division of Fishes, the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, the
Division of Birds, and the Division of Mammals. Searches query the museum's central collection management system. This accession includes the introductory and explanatory
pages as well as the search screens, but includes very little of the underlying collection data. Materials are in electronic format.
This accession consists of a subsite of the "Ocean Portal" website containing two quizzes, "What's Your Ocean Animal?" and "What's Your Ocean Microbe?" The "Ocean Portal"
is maintained by the National Museum of Natural History. Server files for the subsite were transferred on August 28, 2018, shortly before the subsite was removed from the
"Ocean Portal" and temporarily staged in a new online location. The subsite was crawled at its temporary location on November 20, 2019, before it was taken offline. Materials
are in electronic format.
This accession consists of "Darwin," the National Museum of Natural History intranet, as it existed on June 12, 2020. "Darwin" includes information about museum resources,
departments, committees, and events. It also includes administrative forms, contacts, communications from the Office of the Director, announcements, and a suggestion box.
Due to technical issues, some content may be missing from this accession. Materials are in electronic format.
Rights:
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2036; Transferring office; 10/5/2021 memorandum, Wright to File; Contact reference staff for details.
31.73 cu. ft. (31 record storage boxes) (1 tall document box) (1 oversize folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Floor plans
Color photographs
Black-and-white photographs
Drawings
Clippings
Books
Manuscripts
Brochures
Date:
circa 1955-1990 and undated
Descriptive Entry:
This record unit contains a variety of records documenting the planning, design, and production of permanent and temporary exhibitions at the NMNH. It also contains
smaller amounts of records concerning exhibitions held at the National Museum of History and Technology, National Air and Space Museum, National Collection of Fine Arts, Anacostia
Neighborhood Museum, and Arts and Industries Building. A few records documenting office administration are also found.
The records were created by the Office of Exhibits, 1955-1969; the Office of Exhibits Programs, 1969-1973; and the Office of Exhibits, NMNH, 1973-1990. Staff of the Office
of Exhibits, NMNH, and its predecessor offices, represented in the records include John E. Anglim, 1956-1972; A. Gilbert Wright, 1963-1970; Dorothy Guthrie, 1965-1970; James
A. Mahoney, 1969-1973; William F. Haase, 1969-1983; Harry T. Hart, 1970-1977; Eugene F. Behlen, 1977-1983; and Carl A. Alexander, 1969-1987. Also included are a few records
of Lawrence P. O'Reilly, 1984-1990.
The records offer primary documentation of natural history exhibition production at the Smithsonian, and they help to illustrate a period of intense exhibit modernization
at the Institution. They include correspondence, memoranda, photographs, blueprints, layouts, scripts, work contracts, schedules, notes, and publications. Of special interest
are records documenting the renovation of permanent exhibition halls during the 1960s; efforts to make NMNH exhibits more accessible to the handicapped; the development of
the Insect Zoo; planning and preparation of the NMNH Bicentennial Exhibition in the 1970s; activities of the NMNH Exhibits Committee; and professional activities of the staff.
Historical Note:
The Office of Exhibits in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) was created in 1973 when a reorganization established independent exhibit offices in several
Smithsonian museums. Prior to its establishment, natural history exhibitions were the responsibility of the Office of Exhibits, 1955-1969, and the Office of Exhibits Programs,
1969-1973.
Harry T. Hart was appointed Chief of the Office of Exhibits, NMNH, on March 18, 1973. Eugene F. Behlen replaced Hart on May 22, 1977, and he served as Chief until 1983.
Carl A. Alexander was Acting Chief during 1983-1984. In 1984, administration of the Office of Exhibits became a duty of the newly established Assistant Director for Exhibits.
Lawrence P. O'Reilly was appointed to the position.
