SI Records
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 366, National Museum of Natural History. Exhibits Committee, Exhibits Committee Records
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Exhibits Committee was formed in 1970 in order to advise the Director of NMNH on a number of matters concerning both temporary and permanent exhibitions at the museum. The Committee, which included one representative from each of the scientific departments in the museum, was responsible for advising in the selection of temporary exhibitions and the selection, support, and approval of the development and production of new exhibition halls. The Committee also assisted in the development of a long-range plan for the museum's exhibition program, and was responsible for the establishment of priorities for the upkeep and improvement of existing exhibitions.
The Exhibits Committee was headed by a Chairman who would serve for roughly two years. The Chairmen represented by these records are as follows: Ronald S. Goor (1970-1972), Leo J. Hickey (1973-1975), Douglas H. Ubelaker (1975-1977), Richard Sewell Fiske (1977-1979), Robert W. Read (1980-1981), Bruce D. Smith (1981-1983), and Richard S. Boardman (1983-1985).
These records consist of memoranda, correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and plans and photographs of exhibitions and exhibition halls. Also included are some scripts of label text from various NMNH exhibitions. The bulk of the records are from the years 1970-1985, with a few items from 1987 and 1989.
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.