This accession consists of records that document the proceedings of the Smithsonian Institution's governing body, the Board of Regents, during the tenures of S. Dillon
Ripley, eighth Secretary of the Institution (1964-1984), and Robert McCormick Adams, ninth Secretary of the Institution (1984-1994). There is a very small portion of records
that refer to business before the Board of Regents' Executive Committee. Materials include agendas, minutes, reports, background material on matters before the Board; notes,
clippings, lists of attendees; brochures, correspondence, and memoranda.