University of Washington Nuclear Reactor film, 1967

Overview of the Collection

Director
Worthington, James
Title
University of Washington Nuclear Reactor film
Dates
1967 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 film reel (13 minutes, 400 feet): color, silent; 16mm
Collection Number
PH0992
Summary
Aerial views of the UW campus and exterior and interior views of the University of Washington Nuclear Reactor Building also including plans for the reactor and instructions regarding operation
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access to the original film is restricted. A viewing copy is available for patron use.

Languages
English

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

Built in 1961 to provide training and experimental opportunities to Department of Nuclear Engineering students and faculty, the Nuclear Reactor Building was also designed to promote nuclear energy to the greater public. The Architect Artist Group (TAAG) -- a collaboration between architects, artists, and engineers -- designed a building with a predominantly glass upper level to allow the public to view both the reactor and attendant scientists from an observation plaza. The building was used by the Nuclear Engineering department until 1988, when the reactor was shut down due to concerns about nuclear energy and waste managment. With student numbers on the decline, the department ultimately closed its doors in 1992. The reactor sat idle until 2001, when concerns raised by the September 11th terrorist attacks prompted the university to move forward with decommissioning plans. The reactor was removed in 2008, but the building remains and has since been added to the Washington Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The film contains aerial views of the University of Washington, as well as exteriors of the Nuclear Reactor Building housed on campus. Interiors of the control room and reactor machinery are juxtaposed with blueprints and statistical title cards to familiarize the viewer with the workings of the facility.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated February 25, 1997.

Processing Note

Finding aid prepared by Kate Dawson, 2015 and Kelly Burton, 2016.

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Albert L. Babb papers (Manuscript Collection 2510)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
viewcopy item
VC169 1 University of Washington Nuclear Reactor
An aerial view of the Nuclear Reactor Building at University of Washington campus. Blueprints and graphs are used to display the structure and fuctionality of the building. Various pieces of machinery within the facility are shown, and animated title cards display statistics. Scientists work on and around the building's machinery.
Original1 film reel (13 minutes, 400 feet) : color, silent ; 16mm
1967

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Moving Image Collections (University of Washington)
  • Nuclear reactors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Aerial views
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • University of Washington--Aerial views
  • University of Washington--Buildings--Aerial views