RF.PORT OF TTTE SFPRETARY ,]] 



A unique record for niuseniii attendance was established on July 7. 

 1941, when the one millionth visitor entered the Gallery, less than 4 

 months after its dedication. The Gallery is open to the public each 

 week day of tlie year between the hours of 10 a. m. and 5 p. m., except 

 for Cliristmas and New Year's Day, and on Sundays from 2 until 

 5 p. m. 



On June 7, 1942, the Gallery inaugurated an experimental series 

 of Sunday evening openings, primarily for the benefit of men in the 

 armed forces and war workers in the city. The exhibition galleries 

 were open from 2 to 10 p. m., and orchestral concerts during the 

 summer months were given, through the generosity of Chester Dale, 

 from 7:15 to closing time. Special lectures with color slides were 

 given by the Gallery staff at 7:30 and 8:30 in the lecture hall, and 

 the cafeteria in the Gallery building was open from 4 to 8. Each 

 Sunday evening from 50 to 75 service men were invited by members 

 of the staff and by friends of the Gallery to supper in tlie cafeteria. 

 On Sundays the attendance frequently exceeded 8,000; and, in view 

 of the popularity of the Sunday evening openings, it was decided 

 to continue the arrangement indefinitely. 



Through the generosity of Mrs. Matthew John Whittall, the Gal- 

 lery presented in the lecture hall on the ground floor, a concert by 

 the Rudaijest String Quartet on Sunday afternoon. May 31, 1942. 

 This concert had been planned for men in the Service and their 

 friends, the program lasting approximately 1 hour. 



PUBLICATIONS 



In the information rooms in the Gallery building, a general in- 

 formation booklet is given without charge to visitors on request. It 

 contains a short survey of the collections and information which has 

 been found to be of great assistance to visitors to the Gallery. Also 

 available, are catalogs of the paintings and sculpture, a complete book 

 of illustrations of all the works of art in the Gallery's collection, color 

 reproductions, and postcards in color and black and white, all made 

 available through the Publications Fund. These publications are on 

 sale at moderate cost. 



AIR-RAID PROTECTION 



Immediately following the outbreak of hostilities on December 7, 

 1941, the National Gallery building was blacked out nightly. The 

 staff was organized into five air-raid services: Fire, police (includ- 

 ing morale), health (first aid), maintenance, and evacuation. Drills 

 were started and repeated frequently in order that the units might 

 operate smoothly in the event of an actual air raid. Drills that were 

 held in coordination with the District of Columbia authorities, when 

 visitors were in the building, evidenced the measure of efficiency 



