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Finding Aids to Oral Histories in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 9605

Conservation and Research Center Oral History Interview, 2000

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:
Title:Conservation and Research Center Oral History Interview
Dates:2000
Quantity:1 audiotape (Reference copy).
Collection:Record Unit 9605
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

In May of 2000, as part of the 25th anniversary of the Conservation and Research Center, two long-time staff members, Maxie L. Cameron and George W. North, Jr., were interviewed about the history of the CRC. Both interviewees, who served on the facilities staff, provided historical background on the CRC property before it was transferred to the Smithsonian and in the years since.

Historical Note

The Conservation and Research Center (CRC) of the National Zoological Park, now known as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, located in Front Royal, Virginia, was established in 1975 to encourage development of all aspects of animal sciences. It trains wildlife biologists from developing countries, and breeds, houses, and conducts research on a range of endangered species. Prior to being transferred to the Smithsonian Institution, the property served as a United States Army Cavalry Remount Station, a facility for prisoners of war during World War II, a guard dog training site, and a United States Department of Agriculture cattle station. In May of 2000, as part of the 25th anniversary of the Conservation and Research Center, two long-time staff members, Maxon L. Cameron and George "Junior" North, were interviewed about the history of the CRC. Both interviewees, who served on the facilities staff, provided historical background on the CRC property before it was transferred to the Smithsonian and in the years since.

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Introduction

The Oral History Program is part of the Smithsonian Institution Archives. The purpose of the program is to conduct interviews with current and retired members of the Smithsonian staff who have made significant contributions, administrative and scholarly, to the Institution. The project's goal is to supplement the published record and manuscript collections in the Archives, focusing on the history of the Institution and contributions to the increase and diffusion of knowledge made by its scholars.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), National Zoological Park, Interview was conducted as part of the Smithsonian Institution Archives Oral History Program to document the history of the SCBI site prior to being transferred to the Smithsonian and changes since then.

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Descriptive Entry

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Interview was conducted in 2000 by Smithsonian Archives Historian Pamela M. Henson. This collection consists of one interview session, totaling approximately 1 hour of recordings and 60 pages of transcript.

Additional documentation pertaining to the SCBI can be found in the Theodore H. Reed Interviews (Record Unit 9568) and the History of CRC Interviews (Record Unit 9596) in Smithsonian Institution Archives.

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Use Restriction

Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9605, Conservation and Research Center Oral History Interview

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Container List

Interviews

Interview 1: May 4, 2000

Interviews

Cameron and North reminisce about the property where SCBI is located while they were growing up nearby; World War II prisoners of war; canine training facilities; working at the U.S. Department of Agriculture cattle station there from the early 1950s until it closed in the late 1960s; a U.S. Department of State conference facility; and changes since the land was acquired for the SCBI in 1970, c. 1940-2000.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-60 of audiotape recording, 1.0 hour.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interview: Total Recording Time: 1.0 hour

Interviews
Original Masters: 2 7" reel-to-reel analog audiotapes
Reference Copies: 1 audiotape cassette

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