Yes, some museums have pursued oral history programs.  The Smithsonian  
Institution Archives has conducted an oral history program for some years,  
interviewing Smithsonian curators, scholars, and administrators.  I believe  they 
videotape interviews rather than just audiotaping, although I may be wrong  about 
that.  I have no connection with the program and have not been the  subject 
of an interview, but I can put you in touch with the director of the  program 
if you're interested, Timothy.
 
In addition, the Smithsonian has recently sponsored several predoctoral  
fellowships for studies of Smithsonian history.  As the coordinator of a  
colloquium series at the National Museum of American History, I've had these  students 
deliver papers based on their dissertations.  Interesting  stuff.  While they 
are specific to Smithsonian history, they also document  in a more general 
sense changing concepts of museum collecting and exhibition  programs, cultural 
values, etc.
 
(Personally, I'm writing a memoir about my museum career, rather thinly  
disguised as an analysis of successful and unsuccessful management, perhaps to  be 
published after I retire.  Or possibly a posthumous publication!)
 
David Haberstich

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