Existing comment:
1966
The Carnegie Mansion is named a national historic landmark.
1967
The American Association of Museums (now the American Alliance of Museums) endorses the Smithsonian's decision to acquire the Cooper Union Museum as part of the national collections.
1969
The Carnegie Corporation offers the mansion and the Miller house as a new home for the museum, now known as the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Smithsonian Institution. Lisa Taylor is appointed director of the museum and serves until 1987.
1976
After being renovated by Hardy Holzman & Pfeiffer Associates, the Carnegie Mansion opens on October 7 as Cooper-Hewitt, The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Design, with the exhibition MAN transFORMs.
1982
Cooper-Hewitt and Parsons School of Design start a master's degree program in the History of Decorative Arts. Classes held at Cooper-Hewitt are taught by curators and scholars, utilizing the museum collection and that National Design Library as teaching tools.
1988
Dianne Pilgrim is appointed director of the museum and serves until 2000. Polshek & Partners Architects make the museum building and the multilevel terrace garden fully wheelchair accessible. The museum's name changes to Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. |