Correspondence and Memoranda, 1879-1907

Object Details

Other title

Outgoing Correspondence

Notes

For a description of the record series of which these materials are a part, refer to "Forms part of" above.

Organization

Chronologic, letterpress volumes numbered sequentially with the prefix L

Summary

These records comprise the primary outgoing correspondence of the officer in immediate charge of the United States National Museum from the appointment of George Brown Goode as Assistant Director in 1881. Records from the years 1879-1881 mostly pertain to the United States Fish Commission, and Commission business is included through 1887. In 1888, Goode was made Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum. After Goode's death in 1896, the business of this office was administered for a time by the Executive Curator, Frederick William True. Richard Rathbun became Assistant Secretary in 1898, but most correspondence in this series in the period 1896-1902 is signed by the Executive Curator; after that, most is signed by the Assistant Secretary.

Several peculiarities of this record unit should be noted. Predominance of Fish Commission correspondence in the pre-1881 years has been described. Although letterpress volumes are numbered sequentially, dates do not always follow in strict chronologic order; sometimes special books were designated for an official to use when out of the city or when discharging special duties. Many letters were signed by subordinates, the Secretary, and by the Assistant Secretary as Acting Secretary. Apparently, the sequential numbering was imposed at a later date. These records were in the custody of the Registrar for many years. See Record Unit 189 for incoming correspondence. See also Record Unit 192.

Repository Loc.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Data Source

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Date

1879

1879-1907

Local number

SIA RU000112

Creator

Smithsonian Institution Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum

Subject

Rathbun, Richard 1852-1918

Goode, G. Brown (George Brown) 1851-1896

True, Frederick William 1858-1914

Walcott, Charles D (Charles Doolittle) 1850-1927

United States Fish Commission

United States National Museum Executive Curator

United States National Museum Office of the Registrar

United States National Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Record unit available on microfilm

Type

Microfilms

Collection descriptions

Manuscripts

Letterpress copybooks

Physical description

42.64 cu. ft. (76 document boxes) (232 microfilm reels)

See more items in

Correspondence and Memoranda 1850-1948 [Smithsonian Institution Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum]

Topic

Museums--Administration

Museums--Collection management

Record ID

siris_arc_216715

Usage

CC0