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Theodor "Ted" Swem, Sr.

Ted Swem was born in 1917 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and came to Alaska in 1962. Working for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C, Ted was key to development of new national park areas in Alaska in the 1970s. He was Chairman of the Alaska Planning Group for the Department of Interior, and his work set the stage for enactment of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Ted received his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Iowa State University in Ames, and completed one year of graduate work at the Biology School at Harvard University. He went on to work for the Colorado State Game and Fish Department, became the Coordinator for the Federal Aid to the Wildlife Restoration Program, worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in 1946, and then in 1957 joined the National Park Service. He had a long and successful career as a park planner and advocate, and was considered a conservation leader. Ted retired from the Park Service in 1976. Ted Swem died in 2006. For more information about Ted Swem.

Date of Birth:

Dec 6, 1917

Date of Death:

Feb 7, 2006

Theodor "Ted" Swem, Sr. appears in the following new Jukebox projects:

Ted Swem's Slideshow

Interview Title	Abstract	Archive #: Oral History	Project	Date of Interview
Ted Swem, Interview 1, Part 1	Ted Swem was interviewed by William Schneider on October 10, 1991 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. Ted was also interviewed by Bill Schneider on July 6, 1993 (ORAL HISTORY 93-15-26 through 93-15-29). Ted had a long career with the National Park Service, and in this interview offers a historical overview of events and policies that led up to the expansion of the national park system in Alaska. Ted was interviewed in his den, which was really a working office. Although he was retired, he continued to collect information on park service areas and issues. His particular interest in Alaska was evidenced by many of the books, articles and photographs in the room. In this first part of a two part interview, Ted talks about his early days with the National Park Service, coming to Alaska, and the Park Service's early role in Alaska.	91-22-25	Gates of the Arctic National Park	Oct 10, 1991
Ted Swem, Interview 1, Part 2	This is a continuation of the interview with Ted Swem by Bill Schneider on October 10, 1991 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. In this second part of a two part interview, Ted talks about working for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., and planning and establishing new national parks in Alaska.	91-22-26	Gates of the Arctic National Park	Oct 10, 1991
Ted Swem, Interview 2, Part 1	Ted Swem was interviewed by Bill Schneider on July 6, 1993 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. Ted was also interviewed by Bill Schneider on October 10, 1991 (ORAL HISTORY 91-22-25 and 91-22-26). Ted was the key person in the National Park Service for development of National Park areas in Alaska. In these interviews, he traces the history of National Park Service interest in Alaska and the various people who played a role in identifying, studying, and helping to promote the "new" National Interest Lands, which were finally established under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) in 1980. Swem's account is the the story of Washington D.C. and the connections with Alaskan operations, a story not well known in Alaska. In this first of a four part interview, Ted talks about Alaska national parks in the 1960s and 1970s, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), and studying lands for inclusion in new national parks.	93-15-26	Wrangell-St.Elias National Park	Jul 6, 1993
Ted Swem, Interview 2, Part 2	This is a continuation of an interview with Ted Swem by Bill Schneider on July 6, 1993 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. In this second part of a four part interview, he talks about the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), choosing the staff of the land study team, President Nixon's trip to Canada with plans for an international park, and agencies and committees included in the land withdrawals.	93-15-27	Wrangell-St.Elias National Park	Jul 6, 1993
Ted Swem, Interview 2, Part 3	This is a continuation of an interview with Ted Swem by Bill Schneider on July 6, 1993 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. In this third part of a four part interview, he talks about the new director of the National Park Service, the Alaska Planning Group, Ron Walker's trip to Alaska, environmental impact statements, presentations to Washington D.C. about the Gates of the Arctic, the Yukon Charley and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks, and the Congressional delegation and Office of Management and Budget briefings.	93-15-28	Wrangell-St.Elias National Park	Jul 6, 1993
Ted Swem, Interview 2, Part 4	This is a continuation of an interview with Ted Swem by Bill Schneider on July 6, 1993 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. In this fourth part of a four part interview, he talks about the proposal to bring about regional planning and national planning, happenings during the Ford administration, an individual area bill for Lake Clark, and John Seiberling's trip to Alaska.	93-15-29	Wrangell-St.Elias National Park	Jul 6, 1993

As Interviewer

Interview Title	Archive #: Oral History	Project	Abstract
Roger Allin, Part 1	93-15-36	Wrangell-St.Elias National Park	Roger Allin was interviewed by William Schneider on July 7, 1993 at his house in Fort Collins, Colorado. Ted Swem was present and had suggested the interview, because of the important role Roger played in helping the National Park Service identify management areas. Ted participates in the interview, but the focus is on Roger telling about his experiences in Alaska and how his job as a fisheries biologist gave him the chance to explore the natural areas. Because of his knowledge and because he enjoyed showing people these areas, he was often called upon to take VIP's to different parts of Alaska. At the time of this interview, Roger had been away from Alaska for many years, but in this interview you can tell he looks back at his time there with a great deal of pleasure. He speaks freely and publicly expresses his opinions. Corrections: The comments made in this intervew about territorial control over game and fish matters pertained specifically to the Territorial Department of Fish and Game. There was a Territorial Game Commission, composed of six "old timers" who passed on and effectuated the recommendations of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Upon later reflection, Roger Allin does not believe George Collins accompanied Dick Leonard, Bob Luntey, and himself on the McCarthy trips as stated in the tape.
Roger Allin, Part 2	93-15-37	Wrangell-St.Elias National Park	This is a continuation of the interview with Roger Allin by William Schneider on July 7, 1993 at his house in Fort Collins, Colorado. Ted Swem was present and had suggested the interview, because of the important role Roger played in helping the National Park Service identify management areas. Ted participates in the interview, but the focus is on Roger telling about his experiences in Alaska and how his job as a fisheries biologist gave him the chance to explore the natural areas. In this second part of a two part interview, Roger talks about his park service career and his perceptions of federal management related to subsistence, Native people, and resource management. Corrections: The comments made in this intervew about territorial control over game and fish matters pertained specifically to the Territorial Department of Fish and Game. There was a Territorial Game Commission, composed of six "old timers" who passed on and effectuated the recommendations of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Upon later reflection, Roger Allin does not believe George Collins accompanied Dick Leonard, Bob Luntey, and himself on the McCarthy trips as stated in the tape.

Interview Title

Archive #: Oral History

Project

Abstract

Roger Allin, Part 1

93-15-36

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

Roger Allin was interviewed by William Schneider on July 7, 1993 at his house in Fort Collins, Colorado. Ted Swem was present and had suggested the interview, because of the important role Roger played in helping the National Park Service identify management areas. Ted participates in the interview, but the focus is on Roger telling about his experiences in Alaska and how his job as a fisheries biologist gave him the chance to explore the natural areas. Because of his knowledge and because he enjoyed showing people these areas, he was often called upon to take VIP's to different parts of Alaska. At the time of this interview, Roger had been away from Alaska for many years, but in this interview you can tell he looks back at his time there with a great deal of pleasure. He speaks freely and publicly expresses his opinions.

Corrections: The comments made in this intervew about territorial control over game and fish matters pertained specifically to the Territorial Department of Fish and Game. There was a Territorial Game Commission, composed of six "old timers" who passed on and effectuated the recommendations of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Upon later reflection, Roger Allin does not believe George Collins accompanied Dick Leonard, Bob Luntey, and himself on the McCarthy trips as stated in the tape.

Roger Allin, Part 2

93-15-37

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

This is a continuation of the interview with Roger Allin by William Schneider on July 7, 1993 at his house in Fort Collins, Colorado. Ted Swem was present and had suggested the interview, because of the important role Roger played in helping the National Park Service identify management areas. Ted participates in the interview, but the focus is on Roger telling about his experiences in Alaska and how his job as a fisheries biologist gave him the chance to explore the natural areas. In this second part of a two part interview, Roger talks about his park service career and his perceptions of federal management related to subsistence, Native people, and resource management.