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Acting Director Named At American History Museum

WASHINGTON (AP) -- David Allison has been named acting director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The Washington Post reports that the appointment came after museum director John Gray had a heart attack last week and was hospitalized.

Allison is the museum's associate director of curatorial affairs. Museum spokeswoman Melinda Machado says Allison was asked to step in on Tuesday afternoon. It's not clear how long he'll be serving in the position.

Gray is 64 years old and came out of retirement in July to lead the history museum, which is the third-most popular Smithsonian museum.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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