National Museum of American History (U.S.)
Biography
The National Museum of American History opened to the public in January 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology. It was the sixth Smithsonian building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Since then, some 4 million visitors a year have passed through the doors to enjoy the museum’s exhibitions, public programs, educational activities, collections, and research facilities. Millions more make virtual visits to the museum’s website.
On June 28, 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill authorizing $36 million for the museum. Groundbreaking took place on August 22, 1958. The architects were McKim, Mead and White (succeeded in 1961 by Steinman, Cain and White). Mills, Petticord and Mills were associate and supervising architects and engineers. The museum’s area is approximately 750,000 square feet, including a basement, three main exhibition levels, two office-collection levels, and a mechanical penthouse on the roof.
The building’s location on the National Mall qualifies it as a National Historic Landmark. Its status as one of the last structures designed by the renowned architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, along with its location, makes it eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1980, the museum’s name was changed to the National Museum of American History to better represent its basic mission—the collection, care, and study of objects that reflect the experience of the American people.
In 2008, the museum completed a two-year, $85 million renovation of the building’s center core, dramatically transforming the building’s architectural appeal while reorganizing and renewing the presentation of its extensive collections. The renovation project focused on three areas: architectural enhancements to the center core, including a grand staircase and a skylight; construction of a new Star-Spangled Banner gallery, and updates to the 44-year-old building’s infrastructure.
Currently, the transformation of the museum is continuing with a major project to renew the building’s 120,000-square-foot west exhibition wing.
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
Congratulations letters, 1970's, 1970's
This folder contains congratulations letters and notes related to the Vera Maxwell's retrospective fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Line-up, 1970, 1970
This folder contains a list of the line-up of outfits for the Vera Maxwell's retrospective fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Also, included is a list with names and address of guests who were invited to the show.
Newspaper clippings with pictures, 1970's, 1970's
This folder contains newspaper clippings with pictures related to the Vera Maxwell's retrospective fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Newspaper clippings without pictures, 1970's, 1970's
This folder contains newspaper clippings without pictures related to the Vera Maxwell's retrospective fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Also, included are promotional materials and photomechanically reproduced sketches of designs for womenswear.
Prints, 1970, 1970
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs. Some of the prints depict models walking in a fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Vera Maxwell also appears alongside two models in fitting sessions in two prints. Also, included are photomechanically reproduced sketches of designs for womenswear and news clippings. There are also two texts about Vera Maxwell that were written for press releases.
Smithsonian retrospective show, 1970's, 1970's
This sub-series is comprised of 5 folders containing primarily prints, congratulation letters, and news clippings related to the Vera Maxwell's retrospective fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Special events, 1961 - 1970's, 1961 - 1970's
This series is comprised of material related to Vera Maxwell's 25th Anniversary, Monte Carlo show, and Smithsonian retrospective show. The material includes primarily prints, negatives, letters, invitations, correspondence, promotional handouts, and news clippings.