Weiss, Helena M., 1909-2004, interviewee Search this
Extent:
8 audiotapes (Reference copies).
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Audiotapes
Transcripts
Date:
1987
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 student on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Weiss was interviewed for the Oral History Collection because of her long and distinguished career as the Smithsonian museum registrar and an administrator, and because
of her many memories of life and colleagues in the United States National Museum.
Descriptive Entry:
The Weiss interviews were conducted by Pamela M. Henson, Historian for Smithsonian Institution Archives, and discuss her work at the Veterans Administration and career
at the Smithsonian, including her work as a stenographer for the Office of Correspondence and Documents and secretary for the Department of Geology, tenure as Registrar for
the USNM, and role as one of the first women managers at the Smithsonian. Also included are reminiscences of many colleagues, notably Ray S. Bassler, Herbert S. Bryant, Louise
M. Pearson, and Alexander Wetmore, and stories about her responsibilities for important artifacts and specimens.
This collection is comprised of eight interview sessions, totaling approximately 8.0 hours of recordings and 291 pages of transcript.
Historical Note:
Helena M. Weiss (1909-2004), was born on February 6, 1909, in Shipman, Illinois. She earned her clerical degree from Wheeler Business College in Birmingham, Alabama,
before moving to Washington, D.C., in 1930, where she began her career as a stenographer for the Veterans Administration. In 1931, she was appointed Junior Clerk-Stenographer
in the Office of Correspondence and Documents (renamed the Office of Correspondence and Records in 1947) of the United States National Museum (USNM) and in 1935 transferred
to the Department of Geology. She returned to the Office of Correspondence and Records in 1948 as an Administrative Assistant and later that year advanced to Chief, after
the retirement of Herbert S. Bryant. In 1956, her title was changed to Registrar and she remained in that position until her retirement in 1971.
As one of the first women managers at the Smithsonian, Weiss was responsible for the central filing system of the USNM, public inquiry mail, mail service, accession reports,
loans and exchanges, shipping, foreign travel, customs regulations, insurance, and workman's compensation. She was involved in the acquisition of such famous museum artifacts
and specimens as the Wright Brothers' plane, Kitty Hawk, the Hope Diamond, and the Fenykovi elephant. She was also a recipient of the Secretary's Exceptional Gold Service
Award.
Covers period during and the effects of the Great Depression and World War II on the museum and Washington, D.C., including: housing shortages; street-cars; staffing and work-schedule at museum; growth of the city; Works Progress Administration; nation...
Collection Creator::
Weiss, Helena M., 1909-2004, interviewee Search this
Container:
Interviews
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9587, Helena M. Weiss Oral History Interviews
Per Midboe and Ian MacTavish were interviewed by Shenandoah Gale on June 30, 1996. Both were born in Virginia. Midboe and MacTavish are neighbors and students. This interview discusses their previous visits to the Smithsonian, memories of the dinosaur ...
101 Conservation; Stories from the Field,Research / David Revere McFadden, Jeff Post, Richard Kurin.
102 Conservation; Stories from the Field,Research / William A. Xanten, Billy Turner, Larry Collins.
Local Numbers:
FP-1996-CT-0086
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, June 27, 1996.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Festival Footage: Working at the Smithsonian: Narrative Stage: The Hope Diamond
Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Festival of American Folklife. Smithsonian Workers Program 1996 Washington, D.C. Search this
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
1 Item (videocassette (BetacamSP))
Type:
Archival materials
Place:
Washington (D.C.)
Local Numbers:
FP-1996-BETASP-0011
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington, D.C, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1996 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Festival Footage: Working at the Smithsonian: Narrative Stage: The Hope Diamond; Pandamonium
Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Festival of American Folklife. Smithsonian Workers Program 1996 Washington, D.C. Search this
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
1 Item (videocassette (BetacamSP))
Type:
Archival materials
Place:
Washington (D.C.)
Local Numbers:
FP-1996-BETASP-0012
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington, D.C, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1996 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
