Viewing page 60 of 146

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

58

On a number of occasions in the past legislation has been introduced which would have created "National" museums not under the jurisdiction of the Smithsonian Institution. At its meeting on January 23, 1964, with reference to proposed legislation "to incorporate the National Aviation Hall of Fame," it was 

"VOTED that the Board of Regents instructs the Secretary to advise that it has no objection to this bill except to question the appropriateness of using the word, 'National.'"

Similarly, in 1966 with regard to proposed legislation "to authorize the establishment of a National Nuclear Museum," the Institution responded, in part, as follows:

"The Smithsonian Institution consistently has indicated its reservations about the use of the title 'National Museum' in connection with proposals to the Congress to establish museums outside of the Smithsonian's administration. The reason is the confusion which results in the public mind from the association of these museums with the Smithsonian's long-established United States National Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Air and Space Museum, and others. It is recommended that the proposed museum be designated by another name such as the American Museum of Nuclear Energy."

The Regents then:

VOTED that the Secretary is authorized to advise the Textile Museum of its reservations concerning the use of the title "National Museum" as indicated in the above paragraph.