Environmental History: Researching the Environment:
American Nature Study Society records
The print version of the finding aid was compiled by Karen Cannell, New York State Archives.
© 2005
Overview
Arrangement
Biographical Note
Content Description
Administrative Information
Use of the Collection
Related Information
Access Terms
Overview of the Collection
| Repository: | Cornell University Library Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
| Sponsor: | Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. |
| Collection Number: | 2195 |
| Creator: | American Nature Study Society |
| Title: | American Nature Study Society records |
| Dates: | 1924–1997 |
| Physical Description: | 5.2 cu. ft. of textual records; photographs |
| Summary: | The American Nature Study Society was founded in 1908 in Pennsylvania and is one of America’s oldest environmental organizations. These records consist of correspondence of thsociety officers Nellie Matlock and Richard L. Weaver and society officer Ephraim Laurence Palmer, as well as the society’s general files. The correspondence with the U.S. Department of the Interior, senators and congressmen,and other groups concerns legislation on national parks; grazing lands; irrigation and reclamation projects; other aspecof forest, soil, and wildlife conservation; and national land use policy. There are also letters regarding annual meetingsand the printing and distribution of Canadian Nature, one of the society’s publications. |
Arrangement
The records have been intellectually arranged into four series by contributor: Nellie Matlock file (Series 1); Richard L. Weaver files (Series 2); E.L. Palmer files (Series 3); and American Nature Study Society files (Series 4).
Biographical History
The American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) was founded in 1908 in Pennsylvania and is America's oldest environmental organization. The organization serves the Nature Study Moveme - an effort to incorporate the study of nature into the public school curriculum. Its focus aims at teachin youth by encouraging them to experience nature and to gain a better appreciation and understanding o the natural world around them. The society provides support and training to teachers promoting environmental education and related issues through workshops, fieldtrips, conferences, and publications, such asNature Study, the A.N.S.S. journal. The organization awards annually the Eva L. Gordan Award for Children's Science Literature and the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award. The latter award honors educators and interpreters whom reflect the values and ideals of founding member Liberty Hyde Bailey. A.N.S.S. is affiliated with other environmental organizations including the North American Association for Environmental Education, American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Alliance for Environmental Education, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and the Canadian Nature Federation.
Overview
These records include the correspondence of American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) Secretary-Treasurers Nellie Matlock (1937-1940) and Richard L. Weaver (1943-1949); and officer Ephraim Laurence Palmer, Professor o Rural Education at Cornell University (1925-1942). Correspondents include the U.S. Department of the Interior (1947-1948); senators and congressmen; the Izaak Walton League; the Ecologists Union; National Council of State Garden Clubs; and other groups and individuals. Correspondence concerns legislation on national parks; the Land Grab Fight; grazing lands; irrigation and reclamation projects; other aspects of forest, soil, and wildlife conservation; and national land use policy. Other letters address A.N.S.S. annual meetings and the printing and distribution ofCanadian Nature, an official publication of the society. The records also contain society newsletters membership lists; marked ballots; minutes; reports; memoranda; off-prints (J.W. Brainerd); pamphlets; programs; accounts; constitutions; and other printed items. Additionally there is correspondence; announcements; membership and mailing lists of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Natural Resources Council of America; and resolutions and press releases of the National Parks Association.
Administrative Information
The records were transferred by the following: a donation by Prof. E. Laurence Palmer, 1962; a donation by Dr. Verne N. Rockcastle through B. J. Dickerson, his secretary, May 13 and June 3, 1965; a gift of the society, 1965 - 1966, probably through Verne Rockcastle, Aug. 14, 1967 and through John A. Gufstafson, April 4, 1974 and Aug. 16 1995; a transfer from the Rare Books, Olin Library, Dec. 5 and 16, 1966; and donations by Ralph W. Dexter, July 6, 1976 and Jan. 25, 1984.
This collection's description was enhanced as a part of the New York State Archives Environmental HistoryVirtual Research Collection Project, 2005. The National Endowment for the Humanities provided funding for this project.
Use of the Collection
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
No other form exists.
Related Information
A guide is also available at the repository and also can be accessed online at http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM02195.html.
Access Terms
Cady, Bertha Chapman
Caldwell, Otis W.
Davidson, C. Girard
Finley, William L.
Free, George
Gillmore, Ruth Miriam
Green, George R.
Matlock, Nellie F.
Ordway, Samuel H., Jr.
Palmer, Ephraim Laurence, 1888-1970
Patch, Edith
Sharp, L. B.
Shaw, Ellen Eddy
Sollberger, Dwight E.
Teale, Edwin Way, 1899-
Vinal, William Gould
Weaver, Richard L.
Westwood, Richard W.
Wiley, Farida A. (Farida Anna)
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Nature Study Society. Canadian nature
American Nature Study Society. Conservation Committee
Ecologists Union (U.S.)
Izaak Walton League of America
National Council of State Garden Clubs.
National Parks Association (U.S.)
Natural Resources Council of America
United States. Department of the Interior
Conservation of natural resources
Forest conservation
Land use - Law and legislation
Nature study
Science - Study and teaching
Soil conservation
Wildlife conservation
Detailed Description of Contents
| Title: | Nellie Matlock files |
| Dates: | 1924-1941 |
| Arrangement: | The material is arranged in chronological order. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. General files are arranged by document type or by activity and therein arranged chronologically The A.N.S.S. files ca. 1960-ca. 1980 are arranged in rough chronological order. |
| Overview: | These files form part of the American Nature Study
Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of
A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Nellie Matlock correspondence
concerning legislation on national parks, grazing lands
irrigation and reclamation projects, and other aspects
of forest, soil, and wildlife conservation and national
land use policy. Also included are letters dealing with
annual meetings and with the printing and distribution
of Canad Nature, an official publication of the society.
These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Weaver correspondence. Correspondents include Bertha Chapman Cady; William L. Finley; George R. Green; Edith Patch; Ellen Eddy Shaw; Otis W. Caldwell; C. Girard Davidson; George Free; Ruth Miriam Gillmore; Samuel H. Ordway, Jr.; L.B. Sharp; Dwight E. Solberger; Edwin Way Teale; William Gou Vinal; Richard W. Westwood; and Farida Wiley. Photographs and material pertaining to subscriptions are also included. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. officer Ephraim Laurence Palmer correspondence. Correspondents include Commander E. Breck; Bertha Chapman Cady; L. Lenore Conover; Victor L. Crowell; C.E. Douglas; Elizabeth Downhour; William L. Finley; George Green; Theodosia Hadley; Jennie Hall; Russell F. Lund; Harold I. O'Bryne; Edith Patch; P.Victor Peterson; and Radcliff. Also included is miscellaneous correspondence concerning Cornell University. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The A.N.S.S. files contain correspondence and records that are administrative in nature and include announcements; membership lists; mailing lists; financial accounts; minutes; officers' reports (Treasurers' and Secretaries'); program informatio election information (ballots and nominations); information about society meetings in Boston (1946); St. Louis (1946) Chicago (1947); Washington, D.C. (1948); New York (1949); Philadelphia (1962); Publication committee files; and le documents such as the society's constitution and certificate of incorporation and other legal documents. Also included are speeches and writings; printed and promotional material including pamphlets; newspaper clippings; the society's newsletter Canadian Nature; and the society's journal Nature Study; graphic material consisting of photographs; drawings; and off-prints (J.W. Brainerd); and a scroll ma from Liberty Hyde Bailey's walking stick (Bailey was the first dean of Cornell's New York College of Agriculture and the director of its experimental stations). Topics discussed include A.N.S.S. history; Consolidated Edison; City Critters; urban workshops; Trinidad and Tobago trips; Natural Resources Council of America; Natural Parks Association. Various nature clubs also are represented in the files and include the Bangor Bird Conservation Club; Watching Nature Club: New Jersey section; St. Louis Nature Club; Webster Groves Nature Club; and Eastern Nazarene College Club. |
| Title: | Richard L. Weaver files |
| Dates: | 1943-1949 |
| Arrangement | The material is arranged in chronological order. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. General files are arranged by document type or by activity and therein arranged chronologically The A.N.S.S. files ca. 1960-ca. 1980 are arranged in rough chronological order. |
| Overview: | These files form part of the American Nature Study
Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of
A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Nellie Matlock correspondence
concerning legislation on national parks, grazing lands
irrigation and reclamation projects, and other aspects
of forest, soil, and wildlife conservation and national
land use policy. Also included are letters dealing with
annual meetings and with the printing and distribution
of Canad Nature, an official publication of the society.
These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Weaver correspondence. Correspondents include Bertha Chapman Cady; William L. Finley; George R. Green; Edith Patch; Ellen Eddy Shaw; Otis W. Caldwell; C. Girard Davidson; George Free; Ruth Miriam Gillmore; Samuel H. Ordway, Jr.; L.B. Sharp; Dwight E. Solberger; Edwin Way Teale; William Gou Vinal; Richard W. Westwood; and Farida Wiley. Photographs and material pertaining to subscriptions are also included. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. officer Ephraim Laurence Palmer correspondence. Correspondents include Commander E. Breck; Bertha Chapman Cady; L. Lenore Conover; Victor L. Crowell; C.E. Douglas; Elizabeth Downhour; William L. Finley; George Green; Theodosia Hadley; Jennie Hall; Russell F. Lund; Harold I. O'Bryne; Edith Patch; P.Victor Peterson; and Radcliff. Also included is miscellaneous correspondence concerning Cornell University. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The A.N.S.S. files contain correspondence and records that are administrative in nature and include announcements; membership lists; mailing lists; financial accounts; minutes; officers' reports (Treasurers' and Secretaries'); program informatio election information (ballots and nominations); information about society meetings in Boston (1946); St. Louis (1946) Chicago (1947); Washington, D.C. (1948); New York (1949); Philadelphia (1962); Publication committee files; and le documents such as the society's constitution and certificate of incorporation and other legal documents. Also included are speeches and writings; printed and promotional material including pamphlets; newspaper clippings; the society's newsletter Canadian Nature; and the society's journal Nature Study; graphic material consisting of photographs; drawings; and off-prints (J.W. Brainerd); and a scroll ma from Liberty Hyde Bailey's walking stick (Bailey was the first dean of Cornell's New York College of Agriculture and the director of its experimental stations). Topics discussed include A.N.S.S. history; Consolidated Edison; City Critters; urban workshops; Trinidad and Tobago trips; Natural Resources Council of America; Natural Parks Association. Various nature clubs also are represented in the files and include the Bangor Bird Conservation Club; Watching Nature Club: New Jersey section; St. Louis Nature Club; Webster Groves Nature Club; and Eastern Nazarene College Club. |
| Title: | E.L. Palmer files |
| Dates: | 1925-1942 |
| Arrangement | The material is arranged in chronological order. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. General files are arranged by document type or by activity and therein arranged chronologically The A.N.S.S. files ca. 1960-ca. 1980 are arranged in rough chronological order. |
| Overview: | These files form part of the American Nature Study
Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of
A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Nellie Matlock correspondence
concerning legislation on national parks, grazing lands
irrigation and reclamation projects, and other aspects
of forest, soil, and wildlife conservation and national
land use policy. Also included are letters dealing with
annual meetings and with the printing and distribution
of Canad Nature, an official publication of the society.
These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Weaver correspondence. Correspondents include Bertha Chapman Cady; William L. Finley; George R. Green; Edith Patch; Ellen Eddy Shaw; Otis W. Caldwell; C. Girard Davidson; George Free; Ruth Miriam Gillmore; Samuel H. Ordway, Jr.; L.B. Sharp; Dwight E. Solberger; Edwin Way Teale; William Gou Vinal; Richard W. Westwood; and Farida Wiley. Photographs and material pertaining to subscriptions are also included. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. officer Ephraim Laurence Palmer correspondence. Correspondents include Commander E. Breck; Bertha Chapman Cady; L. Lenore Conover; Victor L. Crowell; C.E. Douglas; Elizabeth Downhour; William L. Finley; George Green; Theodosia Hadley; Jennie Hall; Russell F. Lund; Harold I. O'Bryne; Edith Patch; P.Victor Peterson; and Radcliff. Also included is miscellaneous correspondence concerning Cornell University. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The A.N.S.S. files contain correspondence and records that are administrative in nature and include announcements; membership lists; mailing lists; financial accounts; minutes; officers' reports (Treasurers' and Secretaries'); program informatio election information (ballots and nominations); information about society meetings in Boston (1946); St. Louis (1946) Chicago (1947); Washington, D.C. (1948); New York (1949); Philadelphia (1962); Publication committee files; and le documents such as the society's constitution and certificate of incorporation and other legal documents. Also included are speeches and writings; printed and promotional material including pamphlets; newspaper clippings; the society's newsletter Canadian Nature; and the society's journal Nature Study; graphic material consisting of photographs; drawings; and off-prints (J.W. Brainerd); and a scroll ma from Liberty Hyde Bailey's walking stick (Bailey was the first dean of Cornell's New York College of Agriculture and the director of its experimental stations). Topics discussed include A.N.S.S. history; Consolidated Edison; City Critters; urban workshops; Trinidad and Tobago trips; Natural Resources Council of America; Natural Parks Association. Various nature clubs also are represented in the files and include the Bangor Bird Conservation Club; Watching Nature Club: New Jersey section; St. Louis Nature Club; Webster Groves Nature Club; and Eastern Nazarene College Club. |
| Title: | American Nature Study Society files |
| Dates: | 1925-1997 |
| Arrangement | The material is arranged in chronological order. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. The material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. General files are arranged by document type or by activity and therein arranged chronologically The A.N.S.S. files ca. 1960-ca. 1980 are arranged in rough chronological order. |
| Overview: | These files form part of the American Nature Study
Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of
A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Nellie Matlock correspondence
concerning legislation on national parks, grazing lands
irrigation and reclamation projects, and other aspects
of forest, soil, and wildlife conservation and national
land use policy. Also included are letters dealing with
annual meetings and with the printing and distribution
of Canad Nature, an official publication of the society.
These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Weaver correspondence. Correspondents include Bertha Chapman Cady; William L. Finley; George R. Green; Edith Patch; Ellen Eddy Shaw; Otis W. Caldwell; C. Girard Davidson; George Free; Ruth Miriam Gillmore; Samuel H. Ordway, Jr.; L.B. Sharp; Dwight E. Solberger; Edwin Way Teale; William Gou Vinal; Richard W. Westwood; and Farida Wiley. Photographs and material pertaining to subscriptions are also included. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The files are comprised of A.N.S.S. officer Ephraim Laurence Palmer correspondence. Correspondents include Commander E. Breck; Bertha Chapman Cady; L. Lenore Conover; Victor L. Crowell; C.E. Douglas; Elizabeth Downhour; William L. Finley; George Green; Theodosia Hadley; Jennie Hall; Russell F. Lund; Harold I. O'Bryne; Edith Patch; P.Victor Peterson; and Radcliff. Also included is miscellaneous correspondence concerning Cornell University. These files form part of the American Nature Study Society (A.N.S.S.) records. The A.N.S.S. files contain correspondence and records that are administrative in nature and include announcements; membership lists; mailing lists; financial accounts; minutes; officers' reports (Treasurers' and Secretaries'); program informatio election information (ballots and nominations); information about society meetings in Boston (1946); St. Louis (1946) Chicago (1947); Washington, D.C. (1948); New York (1949); Philadelphia (1962); Publication committee files; and le documents such as the society's constitution and certificate of incorporation and other legal documents. Also included are speeches and writings; printed and promotional material including pamphlets; newspaper clippings; the society's newsletter Canadian Nature; and the society's journal Nature Study; graphic material consisting of photographs; drawings; and off-prints (J.W. Brainerd); and a scroll ma from Liberty Hyde Bailey's walking stick (Bailey was the first dean of Cornell's New York College of Agriculture and the director of its experimental stations). Topics discussed include A.N.S.S. history; Consolidated Edison; City Critters; urban workshops; Trinidad and Tobago trips; Natural Resources Council of America; Natural Parks Association. Various nature clubs also are represented in the files and include the Bangor Bird Conservation Club; Watching Nature Club: New Jersey section; St. Louis Nature Club; Webster Groves Nature Club; and Eastern Nazarene College Club. |
