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on the Humanities, the "Petworth Project" shows teachers how to use storytelling in teaching local history, drawing on the resources of the Office of Folklife Programs, the National Museum of American History, the Library of Congress, and the George Washington University American Studies Department. In late April the project will culminate in a public program to be held in Petworth: later this spring, copies of the oral histories and stories collected by participating teachers will be placed in the neighborhood's public and school libraries.

[[underlined]] Soviet Exhibition Project [[/underlined]]

On February 7-9 a meeting took place at Suzdal outside of Moscow involving an American delegation organized by the Smithsonian and a Soviet delegation organized by the Ministry of Culture to discuss the possibility of a joint exhibition on major themes of the 20th-century as reflected in a variety of cultural spheres including the fine arts, literature, music, dance, theatre, film, decorative arts, and architecture. Members of the American team included Dore Ashton, Stanley Cavell, John Conklin, Paul Fussell, Neil Harris, Ihab Hassan, Robert Hughes, Paule Marshall, and Gunther Schuller. The Smithsonian was represented by Assistant Secretary Tom Freudenheim and Marc Pachter of the National Portrait Gallery, who headed the delegation.

The purpose of the meeting, which was initiated by the Soviets in the spirit of "Glasnost," was to explore various conceptual options rather than to focus on technical matters relative to a specific exhibition plan and to determine whether further talks would be appropriate. The meeting resulted in an agreement between the two parties to continue discussions that would further develop the intellectual content for specific themes that emerged during the talks. The American side agreed to produce a report of the meeting from which an agenda for the next meeting, to take place at a retreat setting in the United States in July or August 1989, would be derived.

The American delegation, including representatives from the Smithsonian, was genuinely impressed by the willingness of the Soviets to cooperate on this project. The Americans were hopeful that an exhibition could evolve that would constitute a meaningful statement about the 20th-century, that would encompass critical evaluations of issues that are sensitive to the Soviets, and that would contribute to better relations between the two countries.

[[underlined]] NZP Centennial Celebration [[/underlined]]

The National Zoo entered its second century on March 2, one hundred years after Grover Cleveland signed legislation creating the Zoo. Zoo Director Michael Robinson welcomed a distinguished roster of speakers and guests to the celebration. Mrs. Barbara Bush presided over the festivities, describing the special pleasures she derived from trips to the Zoo with her children and grandchildren. Jeannine Smith Clark eloquently represented the Smithsonian Regents, and Betty Ann Kane of the D.C. City Council read a proclamation passed by the Council in honor of the Zoo's Centennial. George A. Didden, III, President, FONZ Board of Directors, and Dean Anderson, Smithsonian Under Secretary, also made remarks. Mrs. Bush and Dr. Robinson cut the four-tiered, pyramid-shaped Centennial Cake, appropriately decorated with animals, and then the crowd watched as a parade composed of local school children, performers and National Park Service mounted units wound its way down Olmsted Walk. At the reception which followed, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry made some additional remarks.