Sidney Dillon Ripley S. Dillon Ripley was the eighth Secretary of the Smithsonian, serving from 1964-1984. Under his leadership, the Smithsonian Institution expanded and revitalized. Ripley believed museums should be vital sites of learning and engagement, actively involving the public. He also encouraged expanding the Institution's research agenda through a number of initiatives, including the establishment of the Conservation Biology Institute of the National Zoo. The <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/214">first annual Folklife Festival</a>, a showcase of living history and culture held on the National Mall, was organized with his full support. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Sidney+Dillon+Ripley">Sidney Dillon Ripley</a> Smithsonian Institution Archives. <a href="http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_10684?back=%2Fcollections%2Fsearch%3Fonline%3Dtrue%26facets%3DSEC_8%26page%3D7%26perpage%3D10%26sort%3Drelevancy%26view%3Dlist">View original photograph</a>. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1950-1979">1950-1979</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1980-1999">1980-1999</a>