Viewing page 169 of 320

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Gift of Johnson Wax Art Collection

The Johnson Wax Company has presented for execution an agreement to transfer ownership to the Smithsonian Institution of the Johnson Collection of Art. Under the proposed agreement, the Smithsonian would exhibit the collection at the opening of the Fine Arts and Portrait Galleries Building, name a gallery in this building the "Irene and Herbert F. Johnson Gallery," make portions of the collection available for loan to other galleries, enhance the appreciation of the collection by school children, label each item, and maintain a record of the origin of the collection prior to its ownership by the Smithsonian.

The Committee recommended that the Regents authorize the Secretary to execute the agreement.

Juanita G. Ramsey Estate

The estate of Mrs. Ramsey which was accepted by the Regents in January, 1967, provides that the estate, valued at $580,000, be administered by a Board of Trustees including Mr. Raymond Poston, Mr. Paul Garber, and a representative of the Smithsonian.

The Committee recommends that the Regents approve a motion to authorize the Secretary or his designee to serve as trustee of this estate.

Hillwood Museum

The draft of agreement for the operation by the Smithsonian Institution of Mrs. Post's estate, Hillwood, as a museum was discussed. It is evident that the present provisions have the effect of withholding from the Smithsonian Regents the full responsibility for appointment of the Director, for management of the monetary bequest to support the museum, and for establishing rules and policies for the operation of the museum. It was pointed out also that should any furniture, furnishings, or works of art be disposed of, the proceeds from such disposition would inure to the Post Foundation and not to the Smithsonian. 

It was agreed that the Chancellor, Mr. Fleming, and Mr. Ripley should confer with Mr. Daniels, Mrs. Post's lawyer, in order to have an exchange of views on such provisions of the draft agreement as are mentioned above. 

It was recognized that it would be undesirable to have a private collection such as the Hillwood Museum placed nominally under the Smithsonian while not actually being subject to the control of the Board of Regents.