SI Records
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 463, National Collection of Fine Arts/National Portrait Gallery Library, Records
The Fine Arts and Portrait Gallery Library was established in 1965 as a joint operation of the National Collection of Fine Arts (NFCA) and the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) and was originally housed in the Arts and Industries Building. In 1968, the two museums moved into the newly-renovated Old Patent Office Building, renamed the Fine Arts and Portrait Gallery Building, where the Library continued as before. In 1980, the Library became the National Museum of American Art and Portrait Gallery Library (AA&PG) as a result of the name change.
William B. Walker was hired as Librarian in 1965 and held that position until 1979. Katherine Ratzenberger was named Acting Librarian in 1980 followed by Acting Librarian Susan Gurney in 1981. Cecilia H. Chin served as Librarian of AA&PG Library, 1982- .
These records document the opening of the National Collection of Fine Arts and the National Portrait Gallery in the Patent Office Building in 1968. Included are press
kits; photographs; development files; pamphlets of the opening; catalogs from the
Also included are newsletters, library count sheets, policies, minutes of meetings, surveys, a variety of reports, brochures, volunteer and internship information, and other records. Some materials date to when the museum was known as the National Gallery of Art.
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Cover - National Collection of Fine Arts and National Portrait Gallery booklet - 16-page printed booklet that discusses the history of the Old Patent Office Building and how it came to be the location of the National Portrait Gallery and the National Collection of Fine Arts in 1968. [Image nos. SIA2017-048909 to SIA2017-048919]
Cover - National Collection of Fine Arts | Smithsonian Institution booklet - 20-page printed color booklet discussing the history, purpose, and development of the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian Institution. [Image nos. SIA2017-048920 to SIA2017-048932]
Cover - National Collection of Fine Arts brochure - A printed tri-fold brochure about the Old Patent Office Building, which became the home for the National Collection of Fine Arts in 1968. [Image nos. SIA2017-048933 to SIA2017-048935]
Reception Hall of the Nation Collection of Fine Arts, 1968. [Image no. SIA2017-048938]
President Lyndon B. Johnson's Opening Speech at the National Collection of Fine Arts, May 1968. [Image no. SIA2017-048937]
"This American - This New Man" Symposium Program [Image no. SIA2017-048936]