Smithsonian Institution Archives

Theodore H. Reed Oral History Interviews, 1989-1994

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU9568
Creators:
Reed, Theodore H., interviewee
Dates:
1989-1994
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
5.38 cu. ft. processed holdings.
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Introduction

Introduction
The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives' record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also interviews conducted by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Reed was interviewed for the Oral History Collection because of his distinguished veterinary and management career, contributions as a Smithsonian administrator, and long tenure as director of the National Zoological Park. Additional information about Reed can be found in the Records of the National Zoological Park which are also housed in Smithsonian Archives.

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These interviews of Reed by Pamela M. Henson discuss his youth; education; veterinary practice; experiences at the Portland Zoo; and career at the NZP, including his tenure as Veterinarian and achievements as Director, especially renovation and modernization of facilities, development of the Cap-Chur Gun, acquisition of such animals as the Giant Pandas, Komodo dragon, and white tigers, development of research and educational programs, creation of an endangered species program and the CRC, participation in the Species Survival Program, his role in the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums and the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens; and reminiscences of such colleagues as William Mann, John Perry, and Leonard Carmichael. An additional interview of Reed by Pamela M. Henson, Historian, Smithsonian Institution Archives, and Caroline Winslow, Graphics Department, National Zoological Department was conducted in 1992. Reed was interviewed about the 1958 Safety Brochure that was created by the Zoo in response to the death a little girl by a lion at NZP. The collection consists of 13 interviews totaling 31.5 hours of audio recordings and 790 pages of transcript.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Theodore H. Reed (1922- ), veterinarian and zoo administrator, received the D.V.M. in 1945 from the School of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State College. From 1946 to 1955, he practiced as a veterinarian in Oregon and Idaho. He gained experience with exotic animals while serving as a veterinarian to the Portland Zoological Park from 1951 to 1955. In 1955, Reed was appointed Veterinarian at the National Zoological Park (NZP). In 1956, he was named Acting Director after the retirement of William M. Mann, and in 1958, he advanced to Director. During his tenure, Reed oversaw a capital renovation of the NZP; development of the Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Front Royal, Virginia, in 1974; a transition from display of exotic specimens to breeding of endangered species; and many advances in exotic animal care and medicine. Reed retired from administration in 1983 and from the NZP in 1984.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9568, Theodore H. Reed Oral History Interviews

More Information

Notes

Oral Histories


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Reed, Theodore H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mann, William M., 1886-1960 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Perry, John Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Carmichael, Leonard, 1898-1973 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Henson, Pamela M., interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Winslow, Caroline, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Conservation and Research Center (National Zoological Park) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Species Survival Program (NZP) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Portland Zoo Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cap-Chur Gun Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Zoos Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Records of meetings, organizations, and professional societies Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Conservation of natural resources Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Giant panda Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Komodo dragon Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tigers Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Oral history Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Veterinarians Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Zoo directors Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Endangered species Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion pictures (visual works) Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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Washington, D.C.
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