Overview of the Collection
Smithsonian Institution Archives,
Washington, D.C.,
osiaref@si.edu
National Museum of Natural History
Oral Histories
National Museum of Natural History 100th Anniversary Oral History Interviews
2009-2011
15 digital audio files; 42 digital video files
Record Unit 9622
English
Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9622, National Museum of Natural History 100th Anniversary Oral History Interviews
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.
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
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.
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.
Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Name
Bell, Andre R.
Butler, Audrey
Cheetham, Alan H.
Clark, Chip, 1947-2010
Clarke, Roy S.
Davis, Donald R. (Donald Ray)
Dietrich, Elizabeth
Erwin, Nathan
Greenwell, Frank M.
Helgen, K. M. (Kristofer M.)
Hevel, Gary F.
Krakker, James J.
Olson, Storrs L.
Pawson, David L. (David Leo), 1938-
Powhat, Paul W.
Rhymer, Paul D.
Rice, Mary E.
Russell, G. F. (George F.)
Venable, George L.
Bowman, Inci Altug, 1939- , interviewer
Dare, Lauren, interviewer
Henson, Pamela M., interviewer
Lang, Emma, interviewer
Minks, John, interviewer
Nelson, James, interviewer
Pakel, Cigdem, interviewer
Shaw, Courtney, interviewer
Stapleton, William, interviewer
Sullivan, Bridget, interviewer
Thomas, Mary Augusta, interviewer
White, Mark, interviewer
Hunt, David
Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce (Fort Pierce, Fla.)
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
Smithsonian Institution. Office of Protection Services
American University (Washington, D.C.)
Subject
Oral history
Photography -- Scientific applications
Centennial celebrations, etc.
Interviews
Cafeterias
Security guards
Food service
Taxidermists
Scientific illustration
Anniversaries
Natural history museums
Museum exhibits
Museum curators -- Interviews
Museums -- Collection management
Taxidermy
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Sound recordings
Video recordings
Electronic records
Compact discs
Digital images
Transcripts
Interviews
Interviews
Interview 1: October 6, 2009
Interviews
Interview of Frank M. Greenwell by Cigdem Pakel of American University discusses his career as a taxidermist and field collector for the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-90, of digital audio recording, 3.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 3.0 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital audio .wav files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital audio .mp3 files
Interviews
Interview 2: October 15, 2009
Interviews
Interview of Gary F. Hevel by James Nelson of American University covers his career as a Museum Specialist in the Department of Entomology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-35, of digital audio recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 3: October 21, 2009
Interviews
Interview of "Chip" Clark by John Minks of American University focuses on his career as a photographer for the NMNH, including field shoots, object and exhibit photography.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-26, of digital audio recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 3 digital audio .wav files
- Reference Copies: 3 digital audio .mp3 files
Interviews
Interview 4: October 22, 2009
Interviews
Interview of George F. "Rusty" Russell by James Nelson of American University discusses his career as a Museum Specialist in the Department of Botany at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-24, of digital audio recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 5: November 3, 2009
Interviews
Interview of Nathan Erwin by William Stapleton of American University discusses his career as a entomologist, focusing on his role as manager of the NMNH Insect Zoo.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-30, of digital audio recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 6: November 5, 2009
Interviews
Interview of Paul D. Rhymer by Cigdem Pakel of American University covers his work as an exhibit specialist for the NMNH and his career as an artist.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-57, of digital audio recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 7: December 15, 2009
Interviews
Interview of Andre R. Bell by Emma Lang of American University discusses his career as a Supervisory Security Officer in the Office of Protection Services, stationed in the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-29, of digital audio recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 8: March 22, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Mary E. Rice by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives focuses on her early career in invertebrate zoology and as a Curator at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-45, of digital audio recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 9: March 22, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Mary E. Rice by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives provides an overview of her career, especially her work as founding director of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.
Aerial image of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. Pierce, Florida, c. 1995. [Image no. SIA2010-1064]
Aerial image of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. Pierce, Florida, c. 1995. [Image no. SIA2010-1065]
Dave Pawson, unidentified man, President of the Harbor Branch Foundation J. Seward Johnson Jr., Mary Rice, Secretary Adams, and Assistant Secretary of Science Robert Hoffmann in the Secretary's parlor on the occasion of discussions over Ft. Pierce land agreements, 1994. [Image no. SIA2010-1061]
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-40, of digital video recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 10: March 23, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Mary E. Rice by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives discusses role at the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce and research on sipunculan worms.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-56, of digital audio recording, 2.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 2.0 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital audio .wav files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital audio .mp3 files
Interviews
Interview 11: March 25, 2010
Interviews
Interview of George Venable by volunteer Inci Bowman of the NMNH discusses his career as an artist and scientific illustrator at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-57, of digital video recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 12: March 31, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Don Davis by volunteer Inci Bowman of the NMNH discusses his career as a Curator of Lepidoptera in the Department of Entomology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-70, of digital video recording, 2.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 2.0 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 13: April 6, 2010
Interviews
Interview of David L. Pawson by volunteer Inci Bowman of the NMNH discusses his career as a Curator of Marine Invertebrates in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-68, of digital video recording, 2.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 2.0 hours
- Original Masters: 6 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 6 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 14: April 8, 2010
Interviews
Interview of David L. Pawson by volunteer Inci Bowman of the NMNH discusses his career as a Curator of Marine Invertebrates in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the NMNH and his research on his predecessor, Austin Hobart Clark.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-34, of digital video recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital video file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital video .wmv file
Interviews
Interview 15: May 14, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Audrey Butler by Mark White of NMNH covers her career with the NMNH cafeteria, interactions with the public and staff, and changes over time.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-70, of digital video recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 16: May 21, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Elizabeth Dietrich by Mark White of NMNH focuses on her role as a Museum Specialist and manager at the NMNH's Museum Support Center and her role in coordinating the move of collections from NMNH to MSC.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-70, of digital video recording, 2.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 2.0 hours
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 17: May 27, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Chip Clark by intern Lauren Dare of Smithsonian Institution Archives complemented interview 3 with a video session in which he discussed his work as a photographer and reviewed many of his images.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-21, of digital video recording, 1.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 4 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 4 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 18: August 14, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Alan H. Cheetham by Courtney Shaw of Smithsonian Institution Libraries discusses his career as Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology in the Department of Paleobiology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-35, of digital video recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hours
- Original Masters: 1 analog audio cassette
- Reference Copies: 1 analog audio cassette
Interviews
Interview 19: August 18, 2011
Interviews
Reminiscences of Alan H. Cheetham were recorded by him and sent to SI Archives.
Interviews
Draft transcript available, of digital audio recording, 1.0 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 20: August 17, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Roy S. Clarke, Jr., by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives discusses his career as Curator of Meteorites in the Department of Mineral Sciences at the NMNH.
Smithsonian meteorite scientists gathered around an Antarctic meteorite specimen: ALHA81013. The meteorite was found in Antarctica in 1981 by geochemist Robert Fudali. Left to Right: Eugene Jarosewich, a chemist, Mineral Sciences (Meteorites); Kurt Frederiksson, curator and geochemist; Robert F. Fudali, geochemist; Roy S. Clarke, curator; and Brian Mason, curator, c. 1981. [Image no. SIA2011-0761]
Roy Clarke, Department of Mineral Sciences, United States National Museum, now known as the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), sits at the microbalance in the chemical laboratory on the third floor of the NMNH's main building, c. 1961-1962. [Image nos. SIA2011-0762 and 481C]
Image of Grace and Roy Clarke. Roy Clarke, a curator in the Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History stands with his wife Grace, and Charles Obermeier, NMNH electronic technician, at a Museum celebatory event, 1976. [Image no. SIA2011-0763]
Roy Clarke, curator, Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History, in the storage room looking at a iron meteorite with the aide of a magnifying glass. Photo by Dane A. Penland, 1989. [Image nos. SIA2011-0764 and 89-21444]
Roy S. Clarke and the Mundrabilla, Western Australian Meteorite, 1975. [Image no. SIA2011-0765]
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-21, of digital video recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 5 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 5 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 21: September 7, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Roy S. Clarke, Jr., by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives was conducted in the Meteorite Storage Room and focuses on significant meteorites in the Department of Mineral Sciences collection at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-25, of digital video recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 22: October 12, 2010
Interviews
Interview of David Hunt by Bridget Sullivan of American University discusses his career as a Museum Specialist in physical anthropology, focusing especially on forensic work, in the Department of Anthropology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-40, of digital audio recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.25 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 23: November 22, 2010
Interviews
Interview of James J. Krakker by Bridget Sullivan of American University discusses his career as a Museum Specialist working with archeological collections in the Department of Anthropology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-29, of digital audio recording, 1.25 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.5 hours
- Original Masters: 7 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 7 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 24: March 16, 2011
Interviews
Interview of Storrs L. Olson by Mary Augusta Thomas of Smithsonian Institution Library covers his career as a Curator of Birds in the Department of Zoology at the NMNH.
Interviews
Transcript, pp. 1-35, of digital video recording, 1.5 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 0.25 hour
- Original Masters: 1 digital video file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital video .wmv file
Interviews
Interview 25: June 29, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Paul W. Pohwat discusses his career as a Museum Specialist in the Department of Mineral Sciences at the NMNH.
Interviews
No transcript of digital video recording, 0.25 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 0.25 hour
- Original Masters: 2 digital video files
- Reference Copies: 2 digital video .wmv files
Interviews
Interview 26: June 29, 2010
Interviews
Interview of Kristofer M. Helgen discusses his career as a Curator of Mammals in the Department of Zoology at the NMNH.
Interviews
No transcript of digital video recording, 0.25 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hour
- Original Masters: 4 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 4 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 27: July 19, 2011
Interviews
Interview of Martha Rosen by Inci Bowman discusses her career as Natural History Branch Librarian for Smithsonian Institution Libraries.
The front window of the Natural History Library in the National Museum of Natural History shows a photo of staff members Richard Greene, library technician, and Courtney Shaw dressed in butler and maid's clothes. The window reads "Service in a Grand Manner." Libarian Martha Rosen captioned the photo, "'Service in a Grand Manner' only at the Natural History Library." A visitor can be seen inside in the library. Curator Ray Gagne can be seen in the background. Photo by Martha Rosen, 2005. [Image no. SIA2011-2245]
The circulation desk at the Natural History Library in the National Museum of Natural History. Natural History Librarian Martha Rosen captioned the photo, "This was when the collection fit on the Circulation desk." The desk is filled with mechanical bug and animal toys collected by Martha Rosen. Photo by Chip Clark, c. 2000s. [Image no. SIA2011-2244]
Interviews
Draft transcript of digital audio recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 00:57 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 28: July 28, 2011
Interviews
Interview of Martha Rosen by Inci Bowman continues her reminiscences of her career as a librarian at the National Museum of Natural History.
Interviews
Draft transcript of digital audio recording, 1.1 hours.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1:08 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 29: September 27, 2011
Interviews
Interview of Leon Dixon by Mark White covers his childhood in Washington, career in the military, and outside interests.
Interviews
Draft transcript of digital audio recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1:07 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital audio .wav file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital audio .mp3 file
Interviews
Interview 30: September 28, 2011
Interviews
Interview of Leon Dixon by Mark White covers his childhood in Washington, career in the military, and outside interests.
Interviews
Draft transcript of digital audio recording, 1.0 hour.
Interviews
Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 1.0 hours
- Original Masters: 1 digital video file
- Reference Copies: 1 digital video .wmv file