Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sea-Level Canal Oral History Interviews, 2010-2012

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU9626
Creators:
Dates:
2010-2012
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 cu. ft. (1 half document box)
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.
Christine Keiner, Research Associate, Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, and Associate Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, conducted oral history interviews in 2010 and 2012 about the Smithsonian's role in evaluating plans for a sea-level canal in Meso-America in the 1970s, especially the contributions of staff at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama.

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
The Sea-Level Canal Interviews consist of nine recording sessions totaling 13:26:01 hours of interview and no transcripts are available.

Historical Note

Historical Note
Interviewers discussed STRI staff roles in preparing a report that was not supportive of building a sea-level canal because of potential environmental damage. Interviewees included Ira Rubinoff, director emeritus of STRI; Harilaos A. Lessios, STRI senior staff scientist in evolution, ecology, and marine biology; Stanley Heckadon-Moreno, STRI staff scientist emeritus in anthropology, sociology, and history of natural history; Egbert Giles Leigh, Jr., STRI staff scientist emeritus in evolution and ecology; Mark E. Torchin, STRI staff scientist in marine ecology, disease and parasite ecology; Hector M. Guzman, STRI staff scientist in marine biology; Rachel Collin, STRI staff scientist and director of the Bocas del Toro Research Station studying evolution and marine biology; and a recording of howler monkey sounds on Barro Colorado Island.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9626, Sea-Level Canal 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
Rubinoff, Ira Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Keiner, Christine, 1971-, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lessios, H. A. (Harilaos A.) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Heckadon Moreno, Stanley Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Leigh, Egbert Giles Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Torchin, Mark E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Guzman, Hector M. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Collin, Rachel Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Bocas del Toro Research Station Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Environmental responsibility Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tropical biology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Canals, Interoceanic Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Oral history Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Panama Canal (Panama) Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Compact discs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sound recordings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electronic records Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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