Smithsonian Institution Archives

National Museum of Natural History 100th Anniversary Oral History Interviews, 2009-2011

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU9622
Creators:
National Museum of Natural History
Dates:
2009-2011
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
15 digital audio files; 42 digital video files
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Introduction

Introduction
The Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) 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 reminiscences and interviews recorded by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
As part of the celebration of the Centennial of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), oral history interviews were conducted with museum staff members from an array of professions and subject areas, by SIA Institutional History Division staff, American University students, and volunteers from 2009 to 2011. Interviewees were nominated by NMNH staff and the project was coordinated by Heather P. Ewing. Interviews were recorded in digital audio and digital video, and deposited in the Smithsonian Institution Archives Oral History Collection.

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These interviews discuss their careers at the NMNH, work with collections, research, scientific illustration, exhibits, taxidermy, museum security, interaction with the public and staff. The NMNH Centennial Interviews consist of c. 38.75 hours of interview with 21.25 hours of digital audio recordings, 17.5 hours of digital video recordings, and c. 500 pages of transcript.

Historical Note

Historical Note
National Museum of Natural History interviewees include Andre R. Bell, Protection Services, NMNH; Audrey Butler, Food Services; Alan H. Cheetham, Curator of Paleobiology; R. "Chip" Clark, museum photographer; Roy S. Clarke, Jr., Curator of Meteorites; Donald Davis, Curator of Entomology; Elizabeth Dietrich, Supervisory Museum Specialist, Museum Support Center; Leon Dixon, Locksmith Foreman; Nathan Erwin, manager, Insect Zoo; Frank M. Greenwell, taxidermist; Kristofer M. Helgen, Curator of Mammals; Gary F. Hevel, Museum Specialist, Department of Entomology; David Hunt, Museum Specialist, Department of Anthropology; James J. Krakker, Museum Specialist, Department of Anthropology; Storrs L. Olson, Curator of Birds; David L. Pawson, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology; Paul W. Pohwat, Museum Specialist, Department of Mineral Sciences; Paul D. Rhymer, exhibits specialist; Mary E. Rice, director Emeritus, Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce; Martha Rosen, Natural History Branch Librarian for Smithsonian Institution Libraries; George F. "Rusty" Russell, Supervisory Museum Specialist, Department of Botany; and George Venable, scientific illustrator, Department of Entomology.
Interviewers included Inci Bowman, Mignon Davis, and Mark White from NMNH, Lauren Dare and Pamela M. Henson from Smithsonian Institution Archives, Emma Lang, John Minks, James Nelson, Cigdem Pakel, William Stapleton, and Bridget Sullivan from American University, and Courtney Shaw and Mary A. Thomas from Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9622, National Museum of Natural History 100th Anniversary Oral History Interviews
Access Restriction
Some of these interviews are restricted. The Andre Bell, Roy S. Clarke, Jr., Kristofer M. Helgen, Storrs L. Olson, Paul W. Pohwat, Paul D. Rhymer, and Mary E. Rice interviews cannot be used without their permission prior to 2050. The Leon Dixon, Donald Davis, David L. Pawson, and Martha Rosen interview transcripts cannot be used without their permission. The George Venable recording cannot be used without permission. The Audrey Butler, Alan Cheetham, Chip Clark, Elizabeth Dietrich, Nathan Erwin, Frank Greenwell, Gary Hevel, David Hunt, James Krakker, and Rusty Russell interviews are unrestricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

More Information

Notes

Oral Histories


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Bell, Andre R. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Butler, Audrey Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cheetham, Alan H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clark, Chip, 1947-2010 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clarke, Roy S. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Davis, Donald R. (Donald Ray) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dietrich, Elizabeth Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Erwin, Nathan Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Greenwell, Frank M. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Helgen, K. M. (Kristofer M.) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hevel, Gary F. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Krakker, James J. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Olson, Storrs L. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pawson, David L. (David Leo), 1938- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Powhat, Paul W. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rhymer, Paul D. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rice, Mary E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Russell, G. F. (George F.) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Venable, George L. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bowman, Inci Altug, 1939- , interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dare, Lauren, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Henson, Pamela M., interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lang, Emma, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Minks, John, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Nelson, James, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pakel, Cigdem, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Shaw, Courtney, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stapleton, William, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sullivan, Bridget, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Thomas, Mary Augusta, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
White, Mark, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hunt, David Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce (Fort Pierce, Fla.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Protection Services Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American University (Washington, D.C.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Oral history Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photography -- Scientific applications Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Centennial celebrations, etc. Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cafeterias Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Security guards Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Food service Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taxidermists Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scientific illustration Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Anniversaries Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Natural history museums Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum exhibits Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum curators -- Interviews Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Collection management Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taxidermy Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sound recordings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Video recordings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electronic records Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Compact discs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Digital images Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Transcripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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