14 march 1968 & national collection of fine arts

#OTD 14 March 1968 The National Collection of Fine Arts announced that it would open to the public on 6 May 1968 in its new location: the old Patent Office Building (7th & F Sts, NW). The previous exhibition space was in the Museum of Natural History.

Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, white, announced today, "This is a great occasion for the Smithsonian, for the city of Washington and for the nation." Curators selected 500+ pieces of art, "including paintings, pieces of sculpture, watercolors, prints and drawings," for the opening exhibition.

Please comment below. Did you work at the National Collection of Fine Arts (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum)? Do you remember visiting the old or new location? What do you remember seeing? Do you remember Claes Oldenburg, the poster artist? What do you think of the poster? You may comment privately here.

Poster: Courtesy eBay. "Untitled," by Claes Oldenburg, 1968. 
For Smithsonian material on Oldenburg, click here.
"Fine Arts Gallery To Open May 6," Evening Star 14 May 1968.