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[[underlined]]Cooper-Hewitt Museum Facilities[[/underlined]]

Renovation of the Miller House and construction of its link to the Carnegie Mansion have been an integral part of the Museum's plans since the two adjacent properties were donated to the Smithsonian in 1972. Hardy, Holzman and Pfeiffer's conceptual and schematic design plans for the expansion of the Museum call for a combination of new construction, renovation of the Miller House, and redistribution of various functions within the Mansion, providing new galleries for changing exhibitions, the ability to display a much greater portion of the permanent collection, expanded and improved collection storage and registration areas, and new education facilities, including an auditorium and classrooms. 

In 1984 the Regents approved these expansion plans in principle and agreed that $250,000 per year, for up to three years, be made available to the Museum to underwrite the costs of professional fund-raising assistance. With the assistance of Brakeley, John Price Jones, campaign planning began in earnest this fall. A professional cost estimate of $23 million assumes a fiscal year 1989 construction start and completion by the end of fiscal year 1991, including architectural costs, construction management costs, equipping and furnishing, and an amount for inflation. 

At its September 1984 meeting, the Board of Regents learned of the findings of several of its members who had visited the Museum over the summer. After discussion of the extremely cramped and deteriorating physical conditions which are jeopardizing collections the Smithsonian accepted 18 years ago, the Board agreed that an appropriate form of shared funding might be considered to speed the project along. A demonstration of strong Institutional support is crucial if major donors are to be attracted. It is believed that Federal support is fully warranted given the importance of the Museum and the public use and scholarly value of its collections. 

Mindful of the concerns of the Regents about construction priorities, the staff proposed that the Cooper-Hewitt project be substituted for a previously identified administrative office building to replace presently leased space; while it is important to move from expensive leased space, the needs of the Cooper-Hewitt appear more urgent. 

The Regents agreed that the proposed legislation should indicate that no appropriations for Cooper-Hewitt construction should be expended until it is determined that the entire matching amount has been raised from non-Federal sources, and it was 

VOTED that the Board of Regents, recognizing the urgent need for improved and expanded space for the collections and programs of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, supports legislation authorizing the appropriation of $11.5 million for one-half the construction costs of the Museum's physical expansion.