African-American Exhibits at the Smithsonian Oral History Interviews, 1999, 2001

Object Details

Notes: In 1999 and 2001, Smithsonian predoctoral fellow Michele Gates-Moresi conducted oral history interviews about the history of African-American exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution as part of her dissertation research. In 1999 and 2001, Gates-Moresi interviewed six curators from the National Museum of American History (NMAH), Richard E. Ahlborn, curator in the Division of Community Life; Ellen Roney Hughes, curator in the Division of Community Life; Claudia B. Kidwell, curator in the Division of Costume; Edith P. Mayo, former curator in the Division of Political History; Keith Melder, former curator in the Division of Political History; and Rodris Roth, curator in the Division of Domestic Life. In 2001, she also interviewed Cynthia A. Hoover, curator in the Division of Musical History, also at the NMAH.; (1) Description in control file; (2) unprocessed.
Organization: (1) Audiotapes, 9 hours; (2) transcript
Summary: These interviews conducted by Michele Gates-Moresi cover each curator's role in and views on National Museum of American History exhibitions that have portrayed African-Americans.
Repository Loc.: Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Subject: Kidwell, Claudia Brush; Melder, Keith E; Mayo, Edith; Ahlborn, Richard E; Roth, Rodris; Hoover, Cynthia A (Cynthia Adams)
interviewer: Gates Moresi, Michèle
Subject: National Museum of History and Technology; National Museum of American History (U.S.)

Restrictions & Rights: Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission

Topic: African Americans; African Americans--Exhibitions; Museum curators; Museum exhibits; Museums--Employees; African Americans--History; Oral history; Interviews