The Department of Design was first organized as the Exhibits Section in 1946, its staff known as Assistants. In 1953 the Exhibits Section was renamed the Department of Exhibitions, and the title of Assistant was changed to Keeper. The title was changed to Curator, Department of Exhibitions, in 1958 and so remained through 1972. In 1973 exhibits functions were assigned to an Exhibits Specialist and, in 1979, to an Exhibits Coordinator. In 1988 a Curator of Exhibitions was again appointed. After a vacancy during 1993-1994 a Head, Design Department was appointed in 1995.
The Department of Design is responsible for the design, preparation, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions presented by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.
Alliene E. Dodge, D. Graeme Keith, James I. Rambo, Everett P. Lesley, Jr., and William R. Osmun were Assistants, Exhibits Section, during the period from 1946 to 1953. H. Christian Rohlfing, Osmun and Keith were curators, 1953-1958. Rohlfing continued as Curator of Exhibitions until 1977. Dorothy Twining Globus was Exhibits Specialist, 1973-1978, Exhibits Coordinator,1979-1987, and Curator of Exhibitions, 1988-1992. Ellen Lupton was appointed Head, Design Department, 1993- .
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 227176
