Join Host Kristy Burns in Episode 3 as she rejoins Tennessee’s notable Historian Ray Smith, to talk about Small Town Oak Ridge History, and Innovations you may not realize you’re in possession of right this minute! Listen as Kristy and Ray discuss the Secret City, but also upcoming events for Oak Ridge, such as, the The Secret City Festival. Plus, Ray tells a fun story about a Russian Travel Writer who turns out to have stories of his own about Secret Cities of Russia! This is a fun one friends!

Information on Guest:

Ray Smith

Commissioner, Tennessee Historical Commission; Historian, City of Oak Ridge, TN; Board Member of American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation; and Y-12 National Security Complex Historian (retired), photographer, film producer, newspaper columnist and author

He has produced or co-produced several documentary films, some of which are available online at https://www.y12.doe.gov/about/history/video-gallery Ray’s most recent documentary film, produced in January 2018, is Ed Westcott – Photographer, a tribute to the famous Manhattan Project and Department of Energy photographer without whose exceptional photographs our Oak Ridge and DOE history would not be nearly so well documented. The documentary film can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYvzw9f8M8A

In 2019 Ray began participating on the team led by Lee Riedinger to write a book on the history of the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge.

In 2020 Ray and Keith McDaniel started a webinar/video podcast “Hidden History: Stories from the Secret City” which is produced every two weeks. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52Ainl_FiRCGMvtZdLEvWgRay Smith ensures that current and future generations can learn about the heritage, history, ongoing and planned activities in the city of Oak Ridge, TN. Through printed media complemented by film, presentations, tours, and a history center, he has made the history of the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge available to all. Almost five decades of experience at Y-12 provide Smith a deep understanding and high appreciation of its unique heritage. He is also familiar with the history of the other government sites in Oak Ridge.

Secret City Festival Site: https://www.secretcityfestival.com/

About My Town Travels:

Welcome to the My Town Travels Podcast. The Only Podcast Dedicated to Small Town Travel Destinations, Adventures, & Lifestyle; with expert interviews including Travel Professionals, Writers, Bloggers, Influencers, & More! Listen Now for Great Travel Stories and Insights you’re going to love, whether it’s for an escape, a laugh, to relate, or to find the very best Small Town Destinations!

Join host Kristy Burns on her adventures, as she gets up close, destination stories from a small town perspective. Listen as Kristy, special travel guest collaborators, and small town enthusiasts, discuss what makes small towns special and unique.

As an added bonus you’ll always get great travel tips, personal experiences, and a traveler’s teachings on personal growth – sometimes with specific small town culture, values, or business entrepreneurship thrown in! Plus, there’s a lot of fun, interesting, and quirky experiences Kristy would love to share with you! There is always something to discover and to learn from travel. So, press play and come discover the joy in a small town journey.

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