Taylor, Frank A. (Frank Augustus), 1903-2007, interviewee Search this
Extent:
26 audiotapes (Reference). 45 digital .mp3 files (Reference copies).
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Compact discs
Audiotapes
Transcripts
Electronic records
Date:
1974, 1979-1980, 1982, 2005
Introduction:
The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives'
record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program
staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also interviews conducted
by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Taylor was interviewed for the Oral History Program because of his long and outstanding scholarly and administrative career during his sixty years at the Smithsonian.
Descriptive Entry:
Taylor was interviewed by Miriam S. Freilicher on ten occasions between January and April of 1974, by Pamela M. Henson on seven occasions between July 1979 and April
2003, and by Henson and Cynthia Field in May of 2005. The interviews cover Taylor's youth and education, career at the Smithsonian from laboratory apprentice to Director-General
of Museums, work on the Exhibits Modernization Program, development of the National Museum of History and Technology, role as an administrator and work in the international
museum community.
Historical Note:
Frank Augustus Taylor (1903-2007) was a Curator of Engineering and Industries and administrator at the Smithsonian. He was born in 1903 in Washington, D.C., where he grew
up. In 1922 he accepted a position as Laboratory Apprentice in the Division of Mechanical Technology of the United States National Museum (USNM), and in 1925 he advanced to
Museum Aid. After receiving the B.S. in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Taylor was appointed Assistant Curator in 1929. He became Curator
of the Division of Engineering in 1933 and Head Curator of the Department of Engineering and Industries in 1948. Taylor also received the J.D. from Georgetown University Law
School in 1934.
During his early years at the Smithsonian, Taylor worked to improve the exhibits and collections in the Arts and Industries Building of the USNM. During the depression,
he was assistant director of the Historical American Merchant Marine Survey, WPA Federal Project #6, which was administered through the Smithsonian. In 1950, as chairman
of the Exhibits Modernization Committee, he began planning the renovation program for exhibits in the USNM. In 1946 he also began the planning effort for a science and technology
museum, and in 1954, the authorization for the National Museum of History and Technology was passed by Congress. In 1955 he was appointed Assistant Director of the USNM with
special responsibility for planning the NMHT. Taylor oversaw construction of the building, hiring of staff, and development of exhibits. In 1958 he was appointed the first
Director of the new museum which opened in January of 1964.
In the fall of 1962 Taylor was appointed Director of the United States National Museum with responsibility for both the National Museum of History and Technology and the
National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). In 1968 he became Director-General of Museums with responsibilities for Smithsonian-wide programs in conservation, exhibits and
registration, the National Museum Act programs, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Taylor was active in the international museum community and worked
closely with the American Association of Museums and the International Council of Museums. He oversaw the 1965 Belmont Conference and Report on the needs of America's museums
which led to the National Museum Act and the Museum Services and
Facilities Act. Taylor was responsible for the development of the legislation and programs of the National Museum Act. Taylor retired on 23 January 1971 but continued to work
at the Smithsonian as a Research Associate of Smithsonian Institution Archives and as Consultant to the Secretary until 1983.
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
5 cu. ft. (5 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Newspapers
Black-and-white photographs
Date:
1955-1960, 1965-1988
Descriptive Entry:
The Torch, a newspaper for Smithsonian Institution employees, was first published in 1955 by the Office of Information and later by its successor, the Office
of Public Affairs. The publication appeared somewhat sporadically until 1960, when it stopped, to resume in 1965. Since that time, it has appeared monthly in a larger format.
Occasional special issues mark events such as the opening of a major museum or a change in the administration of the Institution.
Articles in The Torch concern exhibitions, events, seasonal happenings, administrative changes, job moves, retirements, marriages, births, and deaths. Also included
are features on individual staff members, concerning interesting aspects of their jobs, sports, or hobbies.
These records consist of two copies (when available) of each issue of The Torch. Issues since roughly 1972 also include prints of some of the photographs for that
issue. Not every photograph is included-only those transferred with the records. In some instances, there is a notation that a photograph was returned to its owner. In others,
there is no explanation.
Many of the images in this collection are available online.
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Black-and-white photographs
Black-and-white negatives
Color negatives
Color transparencies
Date:
1979-1986 and undated
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of master and duplicate photographs, slides and negatives, mostly of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (until 1983, Chesapeake Bay
Center for Environmental Studies), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which were featured in the TORCH, Smithsonian Research
Reports and News Service. Photographs, which were taken by Smithsonian Institution staff photographers as well as outside photographers, depict buildings and grounds, staff,
animals and insects. In a few cases there are descriptions attached to the photographs, and in many cases, Smithsonian (Office of Printing and Photographic Services) negative
numbers are noted.
Several photographs are by photographers not associated with the Smithsonian, and may contain copyright restrictions.
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
5 cu. ft. (10 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Black-and-white photographs
Clippings
Manuscripts
Date:
circa 1963-1988
Descriptive Entry:
These records consist of biographical files collected by the Office of Public Affairs primarily for the use and convenience of that office.
Like many biographical files, the records were added to as bits of information were collected, from the newspaper, from press releases, from The Torch, or from SI announcements.
The more important figures represented in the files contain more documentation and often include a photograph.
The files contain information on regents, employees, donors, artists whose works are in the collections, and docents and volunteers.
Historical Note:
The Office of Public Affairs had its origins in the editorial and publication division of the Smithsonian Institution (SI), which had long been disbursing news about
events and exhibitions. In 1965 a separate Office of Information, reporting to the Secretary, was created, in part to deal with festivities and events surrounding the Smithson
Bicentennial. B. Richard Berg was appointed Director and George J. Berklacy, press officer. The new office issued press releases, answered public inquiries, maintained a system
of recorded telephone announcements, arranged for the production of films, and dealt, in general, with the media.
The Office of Public Affairs, reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Public Service, was established in 1968. It was charged with publicizing the programs of the Smithsonian
through a broad range of methods of communications, from radio to films to special events. Initially the office provided services including tours, visitor booths, publications,
recorded messages, news releases, information leaflets, and the answering of public inquiries.
Frederic M. Philips served as Director, 1968-1972. He was succeeded by Carl W. Larsen, who held the position 1972-1978. In 1977 Lawrence E. Taylor assumed the title of
Coordinator of Public Information, with the offices of public affairs, congressional liaison, and special events under his direction. In 1984 Taylor retired and the Office
of Public Affairs again reported to the Assistant Secretary for Public Service. Alvin Rosenfeld served as the Director of the Office of Public Affairs,1979-1986. Madeleine
Jacobs was Director, 1987- .
Smithsonian Institution. Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center Search this
Extent:
0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Newsletters
Date:
1978-2009
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of a record set of volunteer issues of and special supplements to The Torch, the monthly employee newsletter published by the Office
of Public Affairs. The Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center (VIARC) collected this subset of The Torch in order to pull together all documentation of
the various volunteer programs at the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to 1985, the January issue of each year contained several articles related to volunteers and, in most
years, a list of all volunteers across the Smithsonian Institution. These articles were alongside articles covering other topics. Beginning in 1985, a special volunteer supplement
was placed in the January issue each year. During this later time period, only the supplement, and not the entire newsletter, was maintained by VIARC in most cases. In 2009,
the supplement occurred in the April issue, the last print issue of The Torch.
National Zoological Park. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
0.25 cu. ft. (1 half document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Newsletters
Date:
1988-1990
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of memoranda and correspondence relating news and information about National Zoological Park (NZP) events and staff activities. Materials include
submissions for the Torch and Tiger Talk, and NZP's Assistant Secretary's monthly program reports. Also included are updates for the Visitor Information and
Associate's Reception Center's (VIARC) exhibition directory.
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Newspapers
Compact discs
Color photographs
Color transparencies
Color negatives
Electronic records
Date:
2000-2004
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of a record set of The Torch, a newspaper for Smithsonian Institution employees. Also included are photographs (both hard copy and digital
images) used in each issue, as well as slides.
Research reports (Smithsonian Institution) (Serial)
Inside Smithsonian Research (Serial)
Smithsonian year (Serial)
The Torch (Serial)
Creator::
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
2.58 cu. ft. (2 record storage boxes) (1 tall document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Brochures
Manuscripts
Pamphlets
Compact discs
Color photographs
Color transparencies
Audiotapes
Black-and-white photographs
Electronic records
Date:
1969, 1971, 1976-2007
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of publication records maintained by Kathryn B. Lindeman, Director of Publications. These materials document the various publication efforts
of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) to promote and provide information to the diverse population of people who work for, visit, and do research at the Smithsonian Institution
(SI). Included in this accession are visitor brochures printed in a variety of languages, in Braille, and on audiocassette; brochures regarding African American heritage at
SI; materials related to the publication of "Research Reports" and "Inside Smithsonian Research," including reader surveys; materials related to the publication of "Smithsonian
Year" and subsequent annual reports of SI, including photographs used in the annual report; materials related to the publication of "The Torch," including materials regarding
redesigns of the newspaper and materials from focus groups; and other miscellaneous publication-related records including documentation regarding metrication in publications,
newsletter surveys, African American focus groups, and alternative formats for brochures. Materials include correspondence; memoranda; brochures; guides; reports; surveys;
audiocassettes; color transparencies, slides, and photographs; and black-and-white photographs. Some materials are in electronic format.
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Public Affairs Search this
Extent:
0.25 cu. ft. (1 half document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Compact discs
Electronic records
Date:
2003-2007
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of digital images used in the Office of Public Affairs publications, Inside Smithsonian Research and The Torch. Inside Smithsonian
Research is a newsletter which documents research in art, history, and science at the Smithsonian Institution. The Torch is a newspaper for Smithsonian Institution
employees and documents exhibitions, events, seasonal happenings, administrative changes, job moves, and retirements. Also included are features on individual staff members,
concerning interesting aspects of their jobs, sports, or hobbies. Materials consist of JPEG and TIFF images and are in electronic format.
