SECRETARY'S REPORT 11 



from Federal funds to match contributions from the public. Under 

 the chairmanship of Roger L. Stevens, the Center made notable prog- 

 ress during the year toward its objectives. Many substantial gifts 

 were received. Questions relating to the size and site of the Center 

 have been resolved, and plans call for construction of the substructure 

 to begin in the summer of 1965. It is estimated that about 21^ years 

 will be required to complete the building. The Secretary of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution serves ex officio as a member of the board of trustees 

 of the Center. Also serving on the board are Senator Leverett Salton- 

 staU and Senator J. William Fullbright, both Regents of the Institu- 

 tion. A detailed report on the John F. Kennedy Center for the year, 

 together with a financial statement, is presented beginning on page 247. 



NATIONAL ARMED FORCES MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD 



During the year the National Armed Forces Museum Advisory 

 Board gained a staff to provide assistance in the execution of its mis- 

 sions as assigned by Public Law 87-186. The staff head, designated 

 Coordinator of Studies, is Col. John H. Magruder, III, U.S. Marine 

 Corps. Colonel Magruder, Director, Marine Corps Museums, was 

 detailed by the Secretary of the Na-v'y to work part-time with the 

 Board. He reported for duty October 2, 1963. Other staff members 

 are James S. Hutchins, Assistant Coordinator of Studies (reported 

 December 2, 1963) ; Col. Robert M. Calland, U.S. Marine Corps, Re- 

 tired, Musemn Specialist (reported June 1, 1964) ; and Mrs. Miriam 

 PI. Schuraan, Administrative Assistant (reported September 23, 1963). 



The Board, at its third meeting, January 20, 1964, unanimously 

 endorsed Fort Washington, Md., now administered by the National 

 Park Service, as the most feasible and appropriate site for the pro- 

 posed National Armed Forces Museum. The Board also recommended 

 to the Smithsonian Board of Regents that necessary arrangements 

 be made with the National Park Service and the Congress to provide 

 for the transfer of that site to the Smithsonian Institution. 



Accordingly, representatives of the Smithsonian Institution opened 

 negotiations with the National Park Service looking to acquisition of 

 Fort Washington. On March 16, 1964, the Secretary met with T. Sut- 

 ton Jett, Director of the National Capital Region, National Park 

 Service, and discussed with him the Board's interest in obtaining the 

 Fort Washington site. On May 14, 1964, the subject again was dis- 

 cussed at a meeting between the Secretary and George B. Hartzog, 

 Director of the National Park Service. Further negotiations with 

 the Park Service are in progress. 



During the year the staff of the National Armed Forces Museum 

 Advisory Board opened negotiations with various agencies of the 

 Armed Forces and the General Services Administration in regard to 



