Citadel on the Mountain

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Summary

This autobiographical volume focuses on Richard Wertime's father, Theodore Allen Wertime, an Office of Strategic Services operative in World War II, post-war diplomat, and Research Associate at the National Museum of American History. A specialist on ancient metallurgy, Wertime published several volumes on the topic, including "Coming of the Age of Iron" and "Coming of the Age of Steel." Richard Wertime struggles with his admiration for and fear of his father, a dominating and often frightening personality. The "Citadel on the Mountain" was a large home his father built in rural Pennsylvania. Made entirely of concrete, it was to serve as a bunker and headquarters when modern civilization collapsed and the elder Wertime was called upon to lead the new world order. The younger Wertime chronicles all the various times of his family, good, bad, and unusual. The elder Wertime felt little constrained by social mores and, alongside his wife, installed a second woman in the citadel, a troubled Smithsonian conservator who specialized in ancient concrete. But the negatives were balanced by his father's love of music, of nature, and the passion he brought to his many interests. The second of four boys, Wertime struggled throughout his life to come to terms with his father, and this volume seems to be a significant part of that process.

Subject

  • Wertime, Theodore Allen
  • Mishara, Joan W
  • United States Dept. of State
  • National Museum of History and Technology (U.S.)
  • Conservation Analytical Laboratory (CAL)
  • National Museum of American History (U.S.) (NMAH)
  • Office of Strategic Services
  • Museum Conservation Institute

Category

Smithsonian Institution History Bibliography

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

2000

Topic

  • History of Science and Technology
  • Autobiography
  • Diplomacy
  • History of Technology
  • Metal-work
  • Metallurgy

Physical description

264 pp

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