American History Museum Acquires Collection Of HIV/AIDS Research Materials

The “Victory Deferred” collection is unique in that it includes audiocassette recordings and complete transcripts of more than 200 interviews with scientific, political and gay community leaders and activists.

“I think it’s fair to say that I interviewed every living gay/lesbian leader who was involved in a central way in the nation’s—and gay community’s—response to HIV/AIDS from the earliest years,” said Andriote. His collection includes interviews with Larry Kramer, one of the world’s best-known AIDS activists and founder of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis; Tim Westmoreland, who served as counsel to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment in the U.S. House of Representatives; Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984; and Dr. Donald Francis, pioneering researcher for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This donation provides the National Museum of American History with one of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS archives, including the reaction to the disease in America,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the museum.

“It will be a rich resource of primary information for researchers interested in the medical, social, cultural and political issues of HIV/AIDS.” Publications and newsletters on a range of topics such as fundraising, prevention, community mobilization and bereavement make up additional secondary source materials. They come from grass-roots activist groups, medical conferences, meeting programs and reporting notes, correspondence and manuscripts. -- www.americanhistory.si.edu