Oral History Interview with Bill Putnam, 2001 May 12

Oral history interview of Bill Putnam, who served as treasurer and President of the American Alpine Club, discussed club members, relationships, and politics of the organization, including the large rift regarding the move of American Alpine Club offices. Putnam describes some of his climbs in British Columbia, Montana, Alaska, New York, Colorado, Italy, and other places. Many times Putnam mentioned several trips to the Silkirk Mountains. Putnam talked of his experiences in the Army during World War II in the United States Army 10th mountain division and his injuries sustained in the war. Narrative also detailed Putnam's stories of Harvard Mountaineering Club and his teaching experiences at Tufts. Putnam briefly described his career in broadcast journalism and in mountain rescue in New England. At the end of the interview, the interviewer Stan Boucher reads notes for a portion of the interview that had not been recorded (nearly one hours worth of time) which included stories of climbs in the early 1960s and 1970s. The notes also detailed Putnam's religious views, his trips as a delegate of the American Alpine Club, his research and books, and his beliefs regarding the nature of leadership.