Oral history interview with Benjamin W. Lawless

Benjamin Lawless was serving as director of exhibitions at the Smithsonian Museum of History and Technology (now National Museum of American History), when he was selected to work with the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now Anacostia Community Museum) to develop its first exhibitions. He describes the selection process for the Carver Theater site. He talks about preparing the theater for exhibitions by leveling the slanted floor and adjusting the lighting. He suggests the idea for the museum arose because the neighborhood was cut off from the mainstream Washington museums. With little access and no direct subway line, concern had also grown that the Anacostia neighborhood children were not receiving the same treatment as children across the river. In his opinion, the purpose of the museum was to address this inequity. He talks at length about the first exhibits, and the process for finding subjects relevant to the residents. He also remembers John Kinard, describing him as "fun", "smart", "cagey", and "dedicated", and describes how he helped communicate the community's needs to the Smithsonian Institution. The interview was recorded on July 23, 1991. The audio quality is clear throughout the recording, with some minor background noise. Exhibitions mentioned: This Thing Called Jazz, Field to Factory: Afro-American Migration, 1915-1940.