Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1893-1980 and undated

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7294
Creators:
Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States.
Dates:
1893-1980 and undated
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
22.67 cu. ft. (45 document boxes) (1 3x5 box) (1 microfilm reel)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records document the history, operation, and activities of the ANS (before 1960, the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia). They also help to illustrate the evolution of the local and national conservation movement; environmental legislation and issues supported by ANS; the development of environmental education; and the natural history of Washington, D. C. and vicinity. The records include correspondence, scrapbooks, minutes, announcements, circulars, publications, reports, fiscal records, photographs, newspaper clippings, field notes, manuscripts, tape recordings, phonograph records, drawings, and memorabilia.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The Audubon Society of the District of Columbia was founded on 18 May 1897 "...for the protection and study of birds..." The original by-laws placed governing authority for the Society in a fifteen member Executive Committee which supervised the election of officers, appointed committees, managed finances, and arranged for publications and meetings. Officers of the Society included a President, Honorary Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When the Society was incorporated in 1947, new by-laws were instituted which abolished the Executive Committee and replaced it with an annually elected Board of Directors. In December 1959, the name of the Society was changed to the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc. (ANS). In 1969, the Society moved into its headquarters at Woodend, a thirty room mansion on forty acres of land in Chevy Chase, Maryland, which was bequeathed to ANS by Mrs. Chester Wells. The Atlantic Naturalist, the Society's official organ, was published from 1950 to 1976. In 1976, Audubon Naturalist News became the primary ANS publication.
Although the Society was founded "for the protection and study of birds," it has been active in all areas of wildlife protection, the preservation of natural areas, and pollution control. The Society has lobbied for environmental legislation, promoted environmental education, and disseminated environmental information through its publication program. Conservation efforts of the Society have included blocking the construction of highways along the C & O Canal and through Rock Creek and Glover-Archbold parks; the preservation of Dyke Marsh in Virginia; assistance in the formation of the Potomac Valley Conservation and Recreation Council; and the protection of bald and golden eagles.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7294, Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States., Records

More Information

Notes

Non-SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Barnes, Irston R. (Irston Robert) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Shoemaker, Clarence R. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Briggs, Shirley A. (Shirley Ann), 1918-2004 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wells, Chester, Mrs. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audubon Society of the District of Columbia Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Woodend Mansion Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Potomac Valley Conservation and Recreation Council Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Atlantic naturalist Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Conservation of natural resources Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ornithology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Phonograph records Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Field notes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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