Smithsonian Institution Archives

Oscar Dean Kidd Oral History Interviews, 1987, 1990

Summary

(Electronic Resource)

Oscar Dean Kidd and Pamela Henson in Frijoles, Panama, June 1990. [Image no. SIA2011-2368]

Collection ID:: SIA.FARU9574
Creators:: Kidd, Oscar Dean, interviewee
Dates:: 1987, 1990
Languages:: English
Physical Description:: 3 audiotapes (Reference copies).
Repository:: Smithsonian Institution Archives

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.

Kidd was interviewed for the Smithsonian Institution Archives Oral History Collection because of his long tenure of service at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

Descriptive Entry

This collection consists of a 1990 interview of Kidd by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives, and Patricia Escobar Paramo and Elizabeth Stockwell of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, that covers his youth, work as a chauffeur and motorboat operator, and reminiscences of Barro Colorado Island and the scientists working there. A second interview of Kidd by Mitchell Aide and Carolien Haverkate of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in 1987 was also donated to the collection. The collection consists of 2.5 hours of audiotape recordings and 27 pages of transcript.

Historical Note

Oscar Dean Kidd (1907- ) was born in Jamaica and migrated to Panama in 1909. He grew up in the Panama Canal Zone, eventually settling down in Frijoles, the train station used by scientists visiting Barro Colorado Island (BCI). The BCI Research Station was created in 1923 as a preserve for the study of tropical biology. In 1946, this Canal Zone Biological Area (CZBA) was transferred to the Smithsonian and in 1966 was renamed the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). As a motorboat operator, Kidd became acquainted with scientists visiting BCI, especially CZBA Director James Zetek.

Administration

Author

Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9574, Oscar Dean Kidd Oral History Interviews

Use Restriction

Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

More Information

Notes

Oral Histories

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms	Keyword Types
Henson, Pamela M., interviewer	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Stockwell, Elizabeth, interviewer	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Escobar Paramo, Patricia, interviewer	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Kidd, Oscar Dean	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Zetek, James, 1886-1959	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Aide, T. M. (Mitchell), interviewer	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Haerkate, Carolien, interviewer	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Barro Colorado Island	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Canal Zone Biological Area	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Barro Colorado Island Research Station	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Canal Zone Biological Area, Barro Colorado Island	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Tropical biology	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
African Americans -- History	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Oral history	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Motorboats	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Scientists	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Panama	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Jamaica	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes	Genre/Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Transcripts	Genre/Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid

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