This accession consists of records documenting the various curatorial activities of Valerie Neal, curator in the Space History Department. Documents pertain to exhibit
planning, display updates, National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Trophy process and events, collections care and plans, Space Telescope History Project, exhibit space upgrades,
special events, object worksheets, loan materials, agreements, schedules, funding, royalty reports, visitor comment forms, and inquiries. A significant topic covered in this
accession includes the Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 101 Enterprise Space Shuttle, which was transferred to NASM and maintained at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in 1985 from the
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Some records date to when the department was known as the Department of Space Science and Exploration (1980-1986),
the Department of Space History (1987-1996), and Space History Division (1997-2013). Some records originated from other organizations at earlier dates and provide more context.
Materials include correspondence, agreements, charts, memoranda, contracts, outlines, floor plans, illustrations, presentations, captions, scripts, budget plans, proposals,
photographs, negatives, transparencies, agendas, notes, pamphlets, invitations, meeting minutes, reports, articles, news clippings, newsletters, brochures, publications, VHS
cassettes, and related materials. Some materials are in electronic format.
Important correspondents include Paul E. Garber, Esther Goddard, Philip S. Hopkins, and S. Paul Johnson. Institutions collaborating with NASM include the United States
Army, Navy, and Air Force, NASA, and the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
Historical Note:
The National Air Museum (NAM) was created as a separate bureau of the Smithsonian Institution by Act of Congress in 1946. Twenty years later its name was changed to
the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) as part of the Congressional Act authorizing construction of a separate building to house its collections.
Previous to 1946 the NASM collections were under the custodial care of the Department of Anthropology, Division of Mechanical Technology, 1887-1919, and the Department
of Arts and Industries, Division of Mechanical Technology, 1919-1931, then the Division of Engineering, 1931-1946.
With the creation of NAM, Carl W. Mitman, head curator of the Division of Engineering, became Assistant to the Secretary for NAM. Mitman retired from the Smithsonian in
1952 and Philip S. Hopkins was appointed as the Museum's first director in 1958. Hopkins was succeeded by S. Paul Johnson, 1964-1969, Frank A. Taylor, acting director, 1969-1971,
and Michael Collins, 1971 to the present.
Though the first accessioned artifact in the collection was the John F. Stringfellow engine in 1889, the NASM collection dates back to the close of the 1876 Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia when the Smithsonian received a group of kites from the Chinese Imperial Commission.
This accession consists of records created and maintained by Frank H. Winter, Curator of Rocketry, 1980-2007, documenting a variety of topics including exhibitions,
acquisitions, professional activities, and research. Prior to his tenure as Curator, Winter held various posts at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). Materials include
correspondence, memoranda, proposals, grant applications, notes, and related materials.
20.5 cu. ft. (20 record storage boxes) (1 document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Clippings
Compact discs
Floppy disks
Electronic records
Black-and-white photographs
Color photographs
Black-and-white transparencies
Black-and-white negatives
Audiotapes
Date:
1889-2011
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of the papers of David H. DeVorkin, Curator in the Space History Division at the National Air and Space Museum, 1981- , with earlier records
dating from when he was assistant professor of astronomy at Central Connecticut State College, as well as during the years he attended high school and college. DeVorkin specializes
in the origins and development of modern astrophysics and the space sciences, and is involved in professional societies that include the American Astronomical Society, the
History of Science Society, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The papers primarily document DeVorkin's scientific articles, lectures, planetarium programs, research,
professional society activities, and preparation of his own books such as "Science with a Vengeance: How the Military Created the US Space Sciences after World War II" and
"Henry Norris Russell: Dean of American Astronomers." Materials include correspondence, memoranda, and notes; articles; book reviews; clippings; agreements; lecture papers
and presentation material; press releases; meeting agendas; information about committees, conferences, symposiums, and workshops; manuscripts; audiotape recordings; photographs,
slides, and negatives; course outlines; proposals; and supporting documentation. Some materials are in electronic format.
Restrictions:
Until the death of the Donor, SIA will notify the Donor prior to, or within 7 days after, the materials have been accessed for research, Transferring office; 9/5/2007 Deed of Gift; Contact reference staff for details.
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2035. Records may contain personally identifiable information (PII) that is permanently restricted; Transferring office; 11/4/2022 memorandum, Johnstone to File; Contact reference staff for details
