Reston founders video history collection, 1989/1990

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Reston founders video history collection, Collection #C0136, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Summary

Extent:
1 linear feet 2 boxes
Creator:
Ernst and Young. Visual Services Group Studio
Abstract:
The Reston Founders Video History Collection contains interviews of various people including Reston's founder, Robert E. Simon. The interviews were recorded from 1989 to 1990. The collection is small with only eight 3/4" videotape cassettes, each with its own interview.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Reston founders video history collection, Collection #C0136, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Background

Scope and content:

The Reston Founders Video History Collection contains interviews of various people including Reston's founder, Robert E. Simons. The interviews were recorded from 1989 to 1990. The collection is small with only eight 3/4" videotape cassettes, each with its own interview.

Series 1 is entitled Interviews and is the only series in this small collection. The 3/4" videotape cassettes are interviews with various people about the founding of the Reston Community. People who were interviewed include Robert E. Simon and Jane G. Wilhelm, along with other individuals. The title of each item is the name of the person being interviewed.

These 3/4" videotape cassettes are interviews with various people about the founding of the Reston Community. People who were interviewed include Robert E. Simon and Jane G. Wilhelm, along with other individuals.

Tape 1 of 2; 151

Tape 2 of 2; 151

151

60 Minutes; 151

60 minutes; 152

60 minutes; 152

152

152

Biographical / historical:

Reston is a planned community in Northern Virginia. Robert E. Simon, Jr. was the founder of Reston, and he purchased the land with the proceeds from the sale of Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1961. Construction began in 1963 with the building of Lake Anne. Simon wanted Reston to be a place where individuals could remain their entire lives, thus many different types of housing were constructed. The focus of Reston, according to Simon, was to develop a place where people could live and work. Essentially he wanted Reston to be a way to live. A priority of this way of life was leisure time, so a wide variety of recreational choices were made available. In 1989 the Ernst and Young Visual Services Group Studio recorded interviews with the Reston Founders.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Ernst and Young Visual Services Group Studio, Reston, Virginia, on March 22, 1989, May 15, 1990, March 6, April 17, 1990 and May 15, 1990.
Processing information:

The Reston Founders Video History Project collection was originally attached to the larger Planned Community Collection currently in the Special Collections and Archives. In 2009 the videotape cassettes were removed and organized into a separate collection. The old box numbers are also included as part of the new arrangement.

Processed in December 2008 by Emily Martin. EAD markup completed in December 2008 by Emily Martin.

Arrangement:

Organized into one series.

  • Series 1: Interviews, 1989-1990 (Boxes 1-2)