New York State Museum of Natural History State Museum Director's, State Geologist's, and State Paleontologist's Correspondence,…
Statement on Language
Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.
Overview of the Records
Repository
- New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
- This series consists of correspondence; drafts publications; notes; photographs of fossils and geological features and formations; maps; pamphlets; and drawings of geological sections. The records were accumulated by James Hall, State Geologist, State Paleontologist, Curator of the State Cabinet of Natural History, and Director of the State Museum of Natural History. Much of the material concerns the preparation and publication of the Paleontology of New York.
Title
- State Museum Director's, State Geologist's, and State Paleontologist's correspondence, drafts of publications, and photographs
Quantity
- 2 cubic feet
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
- B0579
Creator
Arrangement
Arranged by type of material (correspondence, drafts of publications, photographs). Correspondence is arranged by incoming to Hall (thereunder alphabetically by author), outgoing from Hall (thereunder chronological by date), and others (non-Hall, thereunder chronological by date). Rest of series is arranged as "Miscellany" (mostly drafts of publications), "Pictures", "Large Plates" (large drawings), and "Drafts of Books and Scientific Papers."
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of correspondence, drafts of publications, notes, photographs, and occasional maps, pamphlets, and drawings accumulated by James Hall, State Geologist (1837-1898), State Paleontologist (1843-1898), Curator of the State Cabinet of Natural History (1866-1870), and Director of the State Museum of Natural History (1870-1894). Much of the material concerns the preparation and publication of the Paleontology of New York, prepared by Hall over several decades.
Other subjects of the correspondence include: preparation of otherpublications by Hall; legislative and other funding sources for Hall's work; acquisition and disposal of fossils by Hall (including sales and donations by Hall and purchase of the Ford Collection); discussion of geologic formations and stratigraphy; preparation of the geologic map of New York State (1894); allocation of Hall's work space; progress reports by Hall; historical background of the Museum and its procedures; Hall's appointment to a committee to study the Hoosac Tunnel; suggestions by Hall of suitable stone for the State Capitol; and field collecting activities by Hall's assistants.
The drafts and related items concern State Museum publications, reports by the State Geologist to various State officials, field work, and other activities of State Museum staff. The photographs depict fossils and geological features and formations. The drawings and "plates" are mostly geological sections, some colored, illustrating the stratigraphy of specific areas.
Related Material
B0561Series B0561, State Museum Director's, State Geologist's, and State Paleontologist's correspondence files, and
11843Series 11843, Assistant Commissioner's Correspondence and Subject Files, contain additional Museum correspondence. Series B1511, A4211, and B0582 contain writings of other New York State Paleontologists.
Other Finding Aids
Note: This correspondence is not included in the card index to Hall's correspondence in series B1815.
Folder list (prepared by New York State Library?) is available at the repository.
Processing Information
Originally accessioned from State Library as old collection # 129, accession number -90. It is unclear why these materials are separate from the rest of Hall's correspondence.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Corporate Name(s)
- State Cabinet of Natural History (N.Y.)
- University of the State of New York
- New York (State). Education Department
- New York State Museum