5 audiotapes (Reference copies). 9 digital .mp3 files (Reference copies).
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Audiotapes
Compact discs
Transcripts
Electronic records
Date:
1973, 1995-1996
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.
Dr. Reingold was interviewed for the Oral History Program for his knowledge of the history of the Institution and because he made significant scholarly and administrative
contributions to the Smithsonian during 27 years of service.
Descriptive Entry:
Reingold was interviewed on December 19, 1973, by Miriam S. Freilicher and William A. Deiss to obtain background information on the history of the Smithsonian and to
discuss potential issues and interviewees for the Smithsonian Institution Archives Oral History Program. On October 5, 1995, Pamela M. Henson recorded Reingold's autobiographical
lecture, "Life Begins at Forty: On Becoming a Historian," presented at the Smithsonian Institution Archives Research in Progress Lecture Series. On May 28 and 31, 1996, Henson
conducted two additional interviews with Reingold that cover his family history and career as a historian of American science and documentary editor, and because of his significant
scholarly contributions to the Smithsonian during 27 years of service. The interviews provide an overview of the lives and careers of Nathan and his first wife Ida from a
survey of their memorabilia, awards, medals, personal records, manuscripts and photographs, now part of Reingold's personal papers at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Reingold discusses his work at the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian, reminiscences of colleagues, particularly S. Dillon Ripley and Frederick
Seitz, the early development of the Joseph Henry Papers Project and the role of research at the Smithsonian.
Historical Note:
Nathan Reingold received his B.A. (1947) and M.A. (1948) from New York University and the Ph.D. in American Studies (1951) from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1951,
he joined the staff of the National Archives, and then worked at the Science and Technology Division of the Library of Congress from 1959 to 1966. In 1966, he was appointed
the founding editor of the Joseph Henry Papers Project at the Smithsonian, which he directed until 1985. He was then appointed senior historian at the National Museum of American
History until his retirement in 1993. Reingold's major publications included Science, American Style, 1991, Science in Nineteenth-Century America: A Documentary
History, 1964, and Science in America: A Documentary History, 1900-1939, 1981. Reingold was noted as a pioneer in the study of the history of American science.
District of Columbia: SI - SIA, Record Unit (RU) 7001: Joseph Henry Collection - Translation of Henry Papers Microfilm Batch Numbers to Locations in SIA
Container:
Box 4 of 7
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-217, Joseph Henry Papers Project, Depository Files
Illinois: American Library Association; American Medical Association; American Society of Anesthesiologists; Augustana College; Chicago Academy of Sciences; Chicago Historical Society; Chicago Public Library; Chicago Park District; Chicago Public Libra...
Container:
Box 4 of 7
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-217, Joseph Henry Papers Project, Depository Files
Virginia: Bridgewater College; College of William and Mary; Colonial Williamsburg; Eastern Mennonite College; Fort Belvoir Engineer School; Fort Monroe Casemate Museum; Friends of Historical Pharmacy; Hampden-Sydney College; Hampton Institute; Hollins ...
Container:
Box 7 of 7
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-217, Joseph Henry Papers Project, Depository Files
Kentucky: Berea College; Cumberland Gap National Historical Park; Papers of Henry Clay; Filson Club; Jefferson County Archives and Records Service; Kentucky Historical Society; Louisville Free Public Library; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Tran...
Container:
Box 4 of 7
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-217, Joseph Henry Papers Project, Depository Files
