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Oscar Dean Kidd Oral History Interviews

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

Object Details

Creator:
Kidd, Oscar Dean, interviewee
Place
Panama
Jamaica
Topic
Tropical biology
African Americans -- History
Oral history
Interviews
Motorboats
Scientists
Creator:
Kidd, Oscar Dean, interviewee
See more items in
Oscar Dean Kidd Oral History Interviews
Historical Note
Oscar Dean Kidd (1907- ) was born in Jamaica and migrated to Panama in 1909. He grew up in the Panama Canal Zone, eventually settling down in Frijoles, the train station used by scientists visiting Barro Colorado Island (BCI). The BCI Research Station was created in 1923 as a preserve for the study of tropical biology. In 1946, this Canal Zone Biological Area (CZBA) was transferred to the Smithsonian and in 1966 was renamed the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). As a motorboat operator, Kidd became acquainted with scientists visiting BCI, especially CZBA Director James Zetek.
Extent
3 audiotapes (Reference copies).
Date
1987, 1990
Archival Repository
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Identifier
Record Unit 9574
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Audiotapes
Transcripts
Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9574, Oscar Dean Kidd Oral History Interviews
Rights
Restricted. Contact [email protected] to request permission.
Genre/Form
Audiotapes
Transcripts
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. Kidd was interviewed for the Smithsonian Institution Archives Oral History Collection because of his long tenure of service at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.
Descriptive Entry
This collection consists of a 1990 interview of Kidd by Pamela M. Henson of Smithsonian Institution Archives, and Patricia Escobar Paramo and Elizabeth Stockwell of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, that covers his youth, work as a chauffeur and motorboat operator, and reminiscences of Barro Colorado Island and the scientists working there. A second interview of Kidd by Mitchell Aide and Carolien Haverkate of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in 1987 was also donated to the collection. The collection consists of 2.5 hours of audiotape recordings and 27 pages of transcript.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1503510854017-1503510854020-0
Metadata Usage
CC0

In the Collection

  • Interviews

  • Electronic resourceInterview of Kidd by Henson, Paramo, and Stockwell at his home in Frijoles, Panama, across Gatun Lake from Barro Colorado Island, covers his youth in Panama, work as a chauffeur and motorboat operator transporting scientists to and from Panama City and across the lake to Barro Colorado Island, and reminiscences of Barro Colorado Island and the scientists working there, especially long-time director James Zetek; c. 1909-1990.

  • Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 0.5 hour

  • Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 0.5 hour.

  • Interview 2: December 17, 1987

  • Transcript, pp. 1-27, of audiotape recording, 2.0 hours.

  • Interview of Kidd by STRI staff Mitchell Aide and Carolien Haverkate also covers his long relationship with the scientists on Barro Colorado Island; c. 1920-1987.

  • Interview 1: June 17, 1990

  • Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 2.0 hours

View Finding aid

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