17.58 cu. ft. (17 record storage boxes) (1 tall document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Architectural drawings
Color photographs
Black-and-white photographs
Black-and-white transparencies
Clippings
Manuscripts
Color transparencies
Date:
1962-1988
Descriptive Entry:
These records were created mostly by administrators Rohlfing, Dobkin, and Dunne. They document the activities of the Museum Advisory Board and the acquisitions committee
and contain files on fundraising, membership, product development, sales, education, collections management, and exhibitions. The records also include audit reports and annual
reports; grant proposals; architectural plans of the Miller House; and public relations files, including news clippings from the reopening of the Museum in 1976. In addition,
the records contain periodic budget projections and reports for the programs, administrative departments, and payroll of the Museum dating from 1983 to 1988, along with the
memoranda and spreadsheets which document their development.
Historical Note:
In 1963 the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art trustees announced that the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration would be closed, and Director
Calvin S. Hathaway resigned. Curator of Exhibitions H. Christian Rohlfing was named Acting Administrator, and in this capacity he helped to guide the Museum's transfer to
the Smithsonian Institution in 1968. In 1969 Rohlfing became Administrator of the renamed Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and in fiscal year 1972 he assumed the dual title of Administrator
and Curator of Collections. John H. Dobkin became Program Management Officer in FY 1974 and was appointed Administrator in FY 1975. Dobkin and Rohlfing both held the title
of Administrator until FY 1978, when Dobkin resigned and Rohlfing relinquished the post to assume purely curatorial responsibilities. The position of Administrator was vacant
until FY 1979, when Daniel O'Leary became Assistant Director for Administration and Barbara V. Foss and Peter M. Scherer were appointed Administrative Assistants to the Director.
O'Leary left the next year, and Foss was replaced by Chauncie McKeever in FY 1981. In FY 1983 McKeever left, Scherer was appointed Special Assistant to the Director, and Linda
Dunne was named Administrator. Scherer left in FY 1984.
Restrictions:
Boxes 6 and 8 contain materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid; Contact reference staff for details.