Research: Topics: Environment: Preliminary Guide to Environmental Sources
Preliminary Guide to Environmental Sources
Historical Records Repositories in New York State
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Entomology.
New York, NY
- Curran, Charles Howard, 1894-1972. Papers, 1929-1959.
4 cubic ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical, chronological within correspondent.
Entomologist, specialist in Diptera (flies). Curran was a Curator in the Dept. of Entomology, American Museum of Natural History, 1929-1960.
Curran's papers consist primarily of correspondence reflecting his scientific interest in Diptera as well as other orders of insects. Correspondence refers to Curran's research, loan of specimens, publications, exchange of scientific information and related curatorial responsibilities. Colleagues with whom he corresponded include Mont A. Cazier, 1947-1958; Charles L. Fluke, 1929-1959; Frank M. Hull, 1929-1958; Cornelius P. Philip, 1941-1958; and Frederick Snyder, 1944-1957. Also, correspondence pertaining to Curran's personal affairs; worksheets sent to Curran and correspondence regarding a weed control program at Bear Mountain State Park near the Hudson River, 1945-1959; correspondence concerning the use of DDT and other chemicals as pesticides; and correspondence, manuscripts, and notes Curran wrote for articles in encyclopedias and popular journals.
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Library Services.
New York, NY
- Akeley, Mary L. Jobe, b. 1886. Papers, 1921-1952, 1927-1940 (bulk).
8.9 cubic ft.
Reproduction note: Martin Johnson diary is a copy.
Wife of Carl Akeley; she died in 1966.Papers of Mrs. Akeley for the most part pertain to her expeditions to Africa, primarily following Carl Akeley's death in 1926. Papers pertaining to her 1935-1936 expedition to South Africa include letters and notes regarding her plans, notebooks she maintained while in Africa, and photographs she took. Collection also contains a report of a Swaziland native murder trial, 1935; and notes on native law of Zululand and Swaziland. Texts of folk tales she collected of the Zulu, and notes and manuscripts by a variety of people about the culture of people of Zululand and Swaziland. Also, notes written by Mary Akeley concerning her other African trips.
Scrapbooks of news clippings about the naming of a park in the Belgian Congo in honor of King Albert of Belgium. Other news clippings refer to her explorations in Canada, 1913-1914; and to Africa, 1924-1940; and her speaking engagements. Some clippings concern the elephant and gorilla groups Carl Akeley captured and prepared for exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History. Published written by Mrs. Akeley about her explorations in Africa and the Canadian Rockies and reviews of her books. Correspondence covers her Canada expedition, -1915; letters from Carl Akeley pertaining to for a gorilla sanctuary in Parc National Albert, Belgian Congo, 1922-1925; and fan mail her radio broadcasts. Letters from Martin Johnson written from Kenya concerning his Museum expedition for filming and exploratory purposes, 1922-1925; a copy of his diary and reports; and personal letters from Museum staff, friends, and colleagues. Also, numerous manuscripts by Harry Miller and Samuel William Banks about travels in Africa; an account book of the Akeley-Eastman-Pomeroy African Expedition, maintained by Mrs. Akeley, 1926; and a map she drew of Mount McKenzie. The collection also includes biographical information about Mr. and Mrs. Akeley.
In addition, extensive series of photographs, many taken by Carl Akeley, of indigenous peoples of Kenya and elsewhere in Africa, as well as Akeley at work in Africa, landscape scenes, his sculptures which appear at the Museum, and lions he mounted in preparation for habitat groups exhibited at the Museum. Also, photographs of his grave in Zaire and of Mrs. Akeley. Papers of Carl Akeley include diaries of several trips to Africa, plans for construction and preparation of the Akeley African Hall at the Museum, and correspondence of the Museum's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial and the Roosevelt Memorial Association. Many news clippings refer to Akeley.
- American Museum of Natural History. And there were none exhibition
photographs, [ca. 1971]
14 transparencies : col. ; 35 mm.
Ecological museum multi-media presentation in the Corner Gallery on endangered species.
Photographs of panels from the temporary exhibition on endangered species. The presentation combined slide projection, narration, music, songs, and sound effects. It was produced by the Museum and Motiva Ltd. Photographs are identified. - American Museum of Natural History. Can man survive? exhibition
photographs, 1968-1969.
270 photonegatives : b&w.
270 photoprints : b&w.
Ecological museum exhibition. "Can Man Survive?" was a major temporary museum centennial exhibition. The multi-media display contained in a 55 ton structural shell presented environmental dangers inherent in technological advancement.
Photographs showing the installation and opening of the exhibit, including a press preview and an opening preview and dinner. Photographs taken by Robert Elwood Logan, Arthur Singer, Alex J. Rota, and Florence Stone. Photographs are identified. - American Museum of Natural History. Never say die exhibition
photographs, 1972.
16 photonegatives : b&w.
16 photoprints : b&w mounted on file cards.
Zoological museum exhibition in the Education Gallery. It opened in September 1972.
Photographs showing views of the exhibition on endangered species tracing the survival history of five endangered North American species. Photographs were taken by Arthur Singer. Photographs are identified. - American Museum of Natural History. Pamphlets and miscellaneous
materials, 1871-1968.
81 items.
Pamphlets, brochures, catalogs, guidebooks, leaflets, handbills, posters, programs, invitations, tickets, form letters, clippings and a press release by or relating to the American Museum of Natural History. Includes: Pamphlets of the charter and related documents including revisions (1912, 1936, 1937). General information material (1913, 1937). Visitors' guide pamphlets (1883, 1885). Members' and public programs materials (1915-1945), including brochures, leaflets, announcements and tickets for lecture series for adults and children, and membership solicitation forms. Fund raising form letter, leaflet and solicitation form (1932). Pamphlets from the following three series: Guide leaflets, nos. 3, 4, 6, 31-33, 35, 38, 39 (1902-1914); Miscellaneous publications, nos. 13, 21 (1920-1926); and School service and New school service, nos. 2, 6 (1927, 1931). Series publications consist of essays on, or guides to the collections of birds, butterflies, fossils, insects, mammals, shells and trees. They also include essays on basket makers of Utah, natural trails and education, Antarctic exploration, and protection of river and harbor waters from municipal wastes (with reference to New York City). Programs, invitations and tickets to events such as the openings of exhibitions, dedications of halls, statues and plaques, commemorations of Roosevelt Day, and meetings of special groups and societies (1910-1951).
Also includes: Single issues from the following three periodicals: The American museum journal (sample pages) (v. XV, no. 2, Feb. 1915); Hayden Planetarium: monthly bulletin (v. 1, no. 2, Dec. 1935); and The Sky reporter (v. IV, no. 2, Jan. 1951). Catalogs for the following exhibitions: works by artists of the New York City WPA Art Project (1940); 5th and 6th "Young America Paints" (1940, 1941); "France comes back" (1946); and paintings of weather by Helmut Siber (1951); paintings of American Indians by George Catlin (1956). Posters for: Science and Engineering fair of the American Institute of the City of New York (1941); programs of international songs and dance (1946-1948); exhibitions of masks (1946), native carvings (1946), and head ornaments (1947). Miscellaneous materials include: form letter relating to John C. Jay's shell collection and conchological library (1871); L.C. Gratacap's pamphlet titled "Museums of natural history" (1898); a pamphlet on Iroquois silverwork (1908); a greeting card (1921); form letter with illustrations on the sculptures of Carl Akeley (1929); programs and leaflets of the Hayden Planetarium (1935-1951); a press release of the New York Musuem Group on tax on admission to museums (1946); items regarding membership to the American Polar Society (1947); clippings on Great Gull Island (1949); and a handbill from a strike (195-?).
Finding aids: Checklist; available in the Library; item level control.
- American Museum of Natural History. Special Films Collection:
Museological films, 1926-1929.
7 films.The Special Films Collection is comprised of over 300 films divided by genre.
Films recording the mounting of three exhibits by the American Museum of Natural History, emphasizing special techniques employed. One film shows exhibit halls that no longer exist. Other films introduce research conducted by curators and techniques they used, 1938; examine man as an endangered species, 1968; and commemorate the Museum's centennial anniversary, 1969.
All films in the Special Films Collection are available for use by researchers on video tape.
Finding aids: Description of each film.
General note: Some films are in black and white with captions, others are in color with sound.
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Mammalogy.
New York, NY
- American Museum of Natural History, Dept. of Mammalogy. Departmental
files, 1907-1979.
ca. 111 linear ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Departmental files consist principally of correspondence of the department's past and present curators and other associated individuals. Correspondence with colleagues, scientific organizations, and the public concerning collection management, acquisition of specimens, expeditions and field trips, exchange of scientific information, research, publications, lectures, identification of specimens, and personnel. Curators represented by correspondence include Joel A. Allen; Sydney Anderson, 1959-1979; Roy Chapman Andrews, 1908-1960; Donald , 1926-1972; Samuel Harmsted Chubb, 1907-1947; George G. Goodwin, 1921-1964; Robert T. Hatt, 1925-1940; John Eric Hill, 1935-1950; Karl F. Koopman,1953-1979; Guy Musser, 1959-1976; Henry C. Raven, 1916-1951; Hobart M. Van Deusen; and Richard Van Gelder. Other scientists include Glover M. Allen; Childs Frick, 1915-1972; and George H. Sherwood, Director of the Museum, 1917-1937. Also, correspondence about special topics such as conservation and individual animals popular with the public. In addition to correspondence, the collection also includes departmental annual reports, special fund and grant reports, budget statements, and documents.
Finding aids: Cross index card system for correspondence prior to 1976.