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Council names DeRay Smith Oak Ridge city historian
Summary
Council voted to designate DeRay (Ray) Smith as the official city historian after public commenters praised his preservation work, podcast and column; Mr. Smith accepted and acknowledged prior historian Bill Wilcox and local collaborators.
Council unanimously approved a resolution designating DeRay (Ray) Smith as the city historian for Oak Ridge.
Residents Gordon Fee and David Bradshaw spoke during the public comment portion in support of the resolution, citing Smith's decades of local historical work, a long‑running podcast, weekly newspaper columns and collaboration with national Manhattan Project historical partners. "He started as the y 12 historian... Without his personal involvement, I truly believe that a lot of the history of y 12 would've been lost," one supporter told council.
When asked to speak, Smith accepted the honor and credited predecessors and collaborators. "I'm honored, by your recognition, and humbled by Gordon and David's comments," he said, adding that he looks to former historian Bill Wilcox with gratitude and praised local documentary work and colleagues who help preserve Oak Ridge history.
Council voted in favor of the resolution (voice vote recorded as four ayes).
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