Philip C. Brooks Oral Histories
The 威尼斯人娱乐场鈥� first major attempt to document its own history through oral interviews began in 1969. The Archivist of the United States, , asked staff to suggest names for an oral history project covering the agency鈥檚 early years. In late 1971 he asked Philip C. Brooks, recently retired director of the Harry S. Truman Library, to embark on the first large-scale 威尼斯人娱乐场 oral history project.
Over the next two years, Brooks interviewed several high-level former staff, including fourth Archivist of the United States Robert Bahmer. Most of Brooks鈥檚 subjects had come to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 when the agency first began hiring staff in 1935. The interviews provide vital insight into the agency鈥檚 formative years.
For more information, consult the files related to this project in Record Group 64, Records of the 威尼斯人娱乐场.
Disclaimer: The views presented in these oral history interviews are those of the participants and not of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 or the U.S. Government.
Herbert "Herb" Angel came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1936 as the Assistant Director of Publications. Angel worked in various capacities for both the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and later the General Services Administration. He eventually became Deputy Archivist of the United States and served from 1968 until his retirement in 1972. Angel鈥檚 oral history covers initial staff selection and hiring at the 威尼斯人娱乐场, and the agency鈥檚 development in its early years.
Robert Bahmer came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1936 as a deputy examiner. After departing the 威尼斯人娱乐场 during the mid-1940s, he returned to the agency as Deputy Archivist in 1948, eventually becoming Archivist of the United States in 1965. Bahmer鈥檚 oral history covers both the early years of his career, and his time as Deputy and Archivist of the United States. Bahmer left the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1968, and passed away in 1990 at the age of 86.
G. Philip Bauer became a research assistant with the , a Works Progress Administration project, in 1936. He came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 the following year. Bauer鈥檚 oral history covers his career at the 威尼斯人娱乐场, including the period when the agency was moved into the General Services Administration. Bauer left the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1965 and passed away in 1989.
Lester Cappon was a historian, archivist, and documentary editor. He was Director of the Virginia Historical Records Survey from 1936 to 1937. While never employed by the 威尼斯人娱乐场, Cappon鈥檚 interview provides an outside perspective of the agency. For this interview, Cappon answered written questions Philip Brooks had sent him.
Sherrod East started with the Library of Congress in 1933 and transferred to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1937. In his written statement, East discusses the many reorganizations of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and the various changes, especially related to World War II records.
George Elsey served as adviser to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. He was also President of the American Red Cross. Elsey鈥檚 oral history is a supplement to Jerry Hess conducted with Elsey for the Truman Library.
W. Neil Franklin came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1936 as a special examiner, and when that office was abolished he became an associate archivist for the Division of Veterans Administration Archives. He was chief of the Division of Navy Department Archives from 1943-44, chief of the General Reference Division from 1944-1962, and chief of the Diplomatic, Legal, and Fiscal Branch from 1962-1966. In 1966 he became an archivist in the Territorial Papers Branch, a position he held until his retirement in 1972.
Herman Friis began his career at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1938 as a geographer-archivist in the Division of Maps and Charts. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India Theater. In 1946, Friis returned to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 to be Assistant Chief of the Division of Cartographic Records. In 1952, he became Chief of that Division, and later Chief Archivist of the Technical Records Division. Friis became Director of the Center for Polar Archives in 1967, a position he held until his retirement in 1976.
Collas Harris was one of the very first persons to be hired by the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in December 1934. He was the agency鈥檚 first Administrative Officer (later renamed Executive Officer). His oral history covers his role in overseeing the operations of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 during his two stints, 1934-42 and 1948-52.
Oliver W. Holmes came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1936 as a deputy examiner. After working in various divisions at the 威尼斯人娱乐场, Holmes became Director of the National Historical Publications Commission in 1961. In his oral history, Holmes talks about his time before coming to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and the agency鈥檚 early years through World War II. Holmes retired from the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1972 and passed away in 1981.
H. G. Jones was Director of the North Carolina State Department of Archives and History. He wrote the book Records of a Nation, which included a history of the 威尼斯人娱乐场. While most oral histories Brooks collected were with staff, Brooks included Jones to explore how the 威尼斯人娱乐场 interacted with other professional organizations.
Herman Kahn came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1936 as a deputy examiner. During his more than 30 years with the agency, Kahn served in various capacities, including Director of the FDR Library. In his oral history, he discusses his path to the 威尼斯人娱乐场, personalities at the agency, and the early Presidential libraries. Kahn retired from the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1968 and passed away in 1975.
Jess Larson was the first Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) serving from 1949 to 1953. From 1949 to 1985, the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and Records Service was under GSA. In his interview Larson discusses the 威尼斯人娱乐场 incorporation into GSA.
Guy Lee came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1942 as an editorial assistant for the Division of Information and Publications. Lee was at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 for four years. His oral history covers his career before coming to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and reference services at the agency during his brief tenure.
In 1935 Archivist of the United States R. D. W. Connor appointed Paul Lewinson deputy examiner, with responsibility for appraising non-current federal records, chiefly those of labor-related agencies. Three years later Lewinson became Director of the Division of Department of Labor Archives. In 1947 he was promoted to Director of the Industrial Records Division, with the added responsibility for appraising, accessioning, and managing the archives of the Department of Commerce and regulatory, social, and scientific agencies. Lewinson retired in 1960 and passed away in 1988.
was the first Administrative Secretary at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 serving from 1935 to 1947. Page went on to become Chief of the Legislative Reference and Records Division. His oral history covers the tenures of Archivists R.D.W. Connor, Solon Buck, and Wayne Grover. Page retired from the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1960. He passed away on September 5, 1973, in Alexandria, VA.
was a German archivist of Jewish descent who fled to the United States during World War II. He secured a position teaching archival administration at American University, and was key in helping the 威尼斯人娱乐场 safeguard its records when the United States entered the war. Posner鈥檚 interview consists of his written answers to a list of Brooks鈥檚 questions.
Marcus Price came to the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1935 as the Assistant Director of Archival Services. Price went on to become the director of a number of divisions within the 威尼斯人娱乐场. In his oral history, Price talks about how the 威尼斯人娱乐场 was organized in its early years as well as some of its personalities. Price retired from the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1960.
Walter 鈥淲alt鈥� Robertson began his career at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1941 as a junior laborer and by the time he retired in 1975 he was the agency鈥檚 Executive Director. Note: this oral history was not part of the Philip Brooks project but was instead published in the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and Records Service newsletter in 1976. The file also includes a of him receiving a Distinguished Service Award in 1963. Robertson passed away in 2013 at age 96.
Fred Shipman
Fred Shipman was one of the first professionals Archivist of the United States R. D. W. Connor selected in 1935. In 1936, Shipman was appointed chief of what became the Division of State Department Archives. In 1938, Shipman became involved with President Roosevelt鈥檚 plans to establish a Presidential library, and on July 16, 1940, Shipman became the first Director of the FDR Library. In 1948, he left to take a position within the National Security Resources Board. Shipman鈥檚 interviews consist of three parts: Part I conducted on March 27, 1973,Part II conducted on May 23, 1973,and Part III conducted on June 24, 1973.
Vernon Tate was appointed on May 1, 1935, as the first Chief of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Division of Photographic Reproduction and Research. His oral history covers the early years of the at the 威尼斯人娱乐场. Tate left the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1946.
Karl Trever was hired as an archivist for the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in 1936. He made his way through various divisions at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 retiring in 1964 as the Special Assistant to the Archivist for Presidential Libraries. Trevor鈥檚 interview provides insight into the agency鈥檚 early years from the perspective of a staff member and includes one of his favorite memories: .