Craig Wright, long-time Archivist at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, retired this past summer after dedicating over 20 years to the history of Herbert Hoover. An affable figure on the Hoover Campus, he always had an obscure Hoover fact or little-known tidbit about the Library at the ready in a conversation. He recently answered a few questions for us to give us some insight into his role and what he found fascinating during his time here.

What brought you to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum?

I was working for the Minnesota Historical Society when the state budget tanked. My position was to be eliminated and Matt Schaefer, who I had met during my grad school days, let me know there was an opening at the Hoover and encouraged me to apply. I was attracted to a job that allowed me to enhance and refine my technological skills.

Describe the role you have had at the Library?

My primary role has been to enhance access to our collections by adding finding aids to our website, standardizing formatting of finding aids, and enhancing descriptions by adding details. I have been the primary person responsible for cataloging and managing digitization projects. Files have been shared with people all over the world, including projects for researchers in Japan, England, Czechoslovakia, Kazakhstan, and Australia.

What is your favorite Herbert Hoover fact?

There are so many interesting facets of Hoover’s life and the 300+ people not named Hoover for which we have archival collections. Kristallnacht was when the Nazis attacked Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes in November 1938. Herbert Hoover was one of the few well-known people to speak out publicly against the German government. We have many letters and telegrams to Hoover in response to his speech, including my favorite from the famous actor Edward G. Robinson. He writes in part, “I join those who commend your courage in demonstrating practical Americanism which is basically humanitarianism.”.

What’s one of your favorite memories at the library?

The day Pete Hoover sat down with his wife in our lobby and patiently fielded questions from grade school students for 20 minutes. I have also enjoyed working with roughly 60 students and interns here over the years.

What’s your favorite exhibit?

Since I enjoyed so many exhibits over the years, I don’t really have a favorite.

I was especially pleased with the Holograph and Van Allen exhibits as they brought in a new audience and science classes. I also loved the miniature Mount Vernon artifact used in the presidential homes exhibit.

What are your plans after retirement?

I have no solid plans yet. Writing, painting, game design, travel, organizing my family papers, to name just a few possibilities. I think I will revert to my Junior High School days and explore these activities to see which ones give me the most joy.

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