Museum News Clippings Scrapbooks Finding Aid LA.2019.0321
Finding aid prepared by Isabella Dumon
San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library
2019-03-21
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
library@sdnhm.org
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library
Title: Museum News Clippings Scrapbook Collection
Identifier/Call Number: LA.2019.0321
Physical Description:
29 Items
Date (inclusive): 1920-1994
Abstract: The Museum News Clippings Scrapbooks consist of 29 volumes of newspaper clippings about the San Diego Natural History Museum,
those involved with the museum, and local science news.
Scope and Contents
The Museum News Clippings Scrapbooks consist of 29 volumes of newspaper clippings about the San Diego Natural History Museum,
those involved with the museum, and local science news. The 29 elephant folios collect articles that date from 1920-1994.
The volumes are labeled 1
to 30, but volumes one and three are combined into one binding. The collection includes
an index to volumes 1 through 17 (1920-1977).
Biographical / Historical
The clippings collected in these scrapbooks were primarily published in local newspapers, including the
San Diego Union (1922-1992), the
Evening Tribune (1895-1939), and the
San Diego Sun (1908-1939). The Museum employed news clipping services to supply newspaper and magazine articles and notices of events from
many published sources, including newspapers in California and Arizona.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment. Contact the Research Library Director, San Diego Natural History Museum.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright may be reserved. Consult the San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library Director for more information.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Museum News Clippings Scrapbooks (LA 2019-0321). Research Library, San Diego Natural History Museum.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Audubon, John James, 1785-1851. Birds of America
Baja California (Mexico: Peninsula)
Balboa Park (San Diego, Calif.)
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Galapagos Islands
Gray whale -- California
Gray whale -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Los Coronados, Islas (Coronado Islands), Baja California, Mexico
Museum curators
Museum exhibits
Museum libraries
Natural history museum directors
San Diego Society of Natural History
Abbott, Clinton G. (Clinton Gilbert), 1881-1946
Anthony, A. W. (Alfred Webster), 1865-1939
Baker, Frederick, 1854-1938
Bancroft, Griffing, 1879-1955
Fischer, Arthur F., (Arthur Frederick), 1888-1962
Harbison, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1904-1989
Hubbs, Carl L. (Carl Leavitt), 1894-1979
Huey, Laurence M. (Laurence Markham), 1892-1963
Klauber, Laurence Monroe, 1883-1968
Lindsay, George E. (George Edmund), 1916-2002
Marston, George W., 1840-1901
Phillips, Richard P., 1928-
Scott, Carroll De Wilton, 1878-1970
Scripps, Ellen Browning, 1836-1932
Stephens, Frank, 1849-1937
Valentien, Albert R., 1862-1925
Wright, William S. (William Sherman), 1866-1933
Item 1
Scrapbook Vol. 1
1920-1926
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook contains newspaper clippings dated 1920-1921 and 1924-1926. Includes clippings advertising museum events and
a series called "Alice in Natureland." Clippings note that the Natural History Museum formally opened to the public in December
1920, and the San Diego Society of Natural History celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1924. Articles discuss the growing partnership
between the San Diego Natural History Museum and the National History Museum of Mexico City, including collaborative work
on the Coronado Islands and on specimens found in Baja California. The scrapbook's articles reference Museum Director Clinton
G. Abbott, Curator of Entomology George H. Field, and Curator of Education Carroll DeWilton Scott, who wrote many of the articles
in the scrapbook. Includes articles reporting on the state of the San Diego ecosystem, including reports on invasive species,
the Argentine Ant and the English Sparrow; State Lion Hunter Jay Bruce came to eradicate the mountain lion population; and
scientist-led petitions to have the City of San Diego to declare Mission Bay a bird sanctuary to protect migrating birds from
hunters. The scrapbook contains one page of the Annual Christmas Bird Census reports from the years 1922-1933. 67 pages.
Item 2
Scrapbook Vol. 2
1921-1924
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook collects short clippings advertising the museum's various events between the years 1921-1924. Includes articles
on the 1923 opening of the Scientific Library in Balboa Park's California Building, a joint expedition between San Diegan
and Mexican naturalists to study Elephant Seals in Guadalupe, and an article written by Natural History Museum Director A.
W. Anthony and G. Dallas Hanna called "A Cruise among Desert Islands." 41 pages.
Item 3
Scrapbook Vol. 4
1926-1932
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook collects newspaper articles dated 1926-1932. Notable articles include various expeditions conducted by scientists
that worked with the Natural History Museum, including Entomologist and Curator of Insects William S. Wright, and Laurence
M. Huey. Clippings about San Diego wild life include an article from the Natural History Museum urging San Diegans to not
kill hawks and eagles and reports of many whales, killed for commercial purposes, continuously washing up on San Diego shores.
The clippings document reports of a fire that occurred across the street from the Natural History Museum, spurring a money-raising
effort to build a new, permanent building with fire-safety measures. A conditional $125,000 was promised to the museum for
this project if the museum could raise a matching amount from other sources. Clippings suggest the money was pledged anonymously
by Ellen B. Scripps, who passed away before the new museum building is complete. 78 pages.
Item 4
Scrapbook Vol. 5
1932-1937
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook contains newspaper articles dated 1932-1937. The scrapbook begins with articles on the formal opening of the
new Natural History Museum building on February 1, 1933. Includes articles on various scientists working for or with the museum,
including Laurence M. Huey's expeditions to Southwest Arizona and a fossil-finding expedition of naturalist Frank Stephens.
Includes articles on the Society of Natural History's 60th anniversary celebration, where they honored their last remaining
founding member, George Marston, and named him a museum patron. Other clippings report on the Natural History Museum's acquisitions,
including the Valentien Collection of 1200 wild flower paintings, Allen Brooks bird paintings, and a portion of Ellen B. Scripps'
library. There are reports that the museum received a large insect collection from Entomologist George H. Field after the
new, fire-proof building was complete, and a collection of shells was willed to the museum by Herbert N. Lowe. 55 pages.
Item 5
Scrapbook Vol. 6
1937-1941
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook includes articles relating to acquisitions made by the San Diego Natural History Museum between 1937 and 1941,
includes the double elephant folio of Audubon's Birds of America, a geologic clock, and a giant clam. Other reports include
a trade between the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, exchanging a fossilized
fish known as "the oldest San Diegan" for the remains of a sloth and a tiger, and a donation of around 30,000 bird eggs by
Griffing Bancroft. Includes an article 14-year-old bee enthusiast named Everett Litchfield who created an exhibit about bees
for the museum. Other articles announced the deaths of scientists associated with the museum, including Frank Stephens and
Fred Baker. 48 pages.
Item 6
Scrapbook Vol. 7
1941-1946
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook encompasses World War II, and many of the articles refer to the Natural History Museum's role in the war effort.
The articles report that the museum was closed to the public and converted into extra Naval hospital space in 1943. Museum
scientist Laurence Huey was called back to the United States from an expedition to Baja California due the war as well. Articles
throughout the scrapbook mention Natural History Museum director Clinton Abbott, who celebrated his 20th year in the role,
and later passed away in 1946. Clippings report that the museum established a memorial fund in his name. 51 pages.
Item 7
Scrapbook Vol. 8
1947-1960
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook collects articles about the Natural History Museum dated 1947-1960. Includes reports on Clinton Abbott's successor,
Colonel Arthur F. Fischer, as director of the Natural History Museum. Reportedly, the Natural History Museum remained closed
to the public until August 1949, and reopened in time to celebrate the Society of Natural History's 75th anniversary. Articles
include reports on the work involved to convert the building from a temporary hospital back into a museum and the educational
programs that continued despite the museum's closure under the supervision of curator of entomology Charles F. Harbison. Includes
article spotlights on scientists that worked with the museum, including a "Who's who in San Diego" series on both Laurence
Klauber and Lee Passmore, and a yearly articles on curator of Botany Ethel Baily Higgins as she continued to work well into
her 90s. Includes articles on the death of Griffing Bancroft, and one article on Charles Lindbergh, who reportedly charted
his trans-Atlantic flight in the San Diego Public Library. Clippings report the acquisitions of the Museum's two-story pendulum
and a seismograph. Articles report that the seismograph detected tremors caused by an underground nuclear blast in Yucca Flats,
Nevada. 102 pages.
Item 8
Scrapbook Vol. 9
1960-1961
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook primarily contains of articles advertising many of the museum's classes and excursions. Notable articles include
the National Science Foundation granting the San Diego Society of Natural History almost $20,000 to support the Vermillion
Sea Field Station in Baja California, and the retirement of Laurence M. Huey in 1961, after 38 years of working as the Natural
History Museum's curator of birds and mammals. 35 pages.
Item 9
Scrapbook Vol. 10
1962-1966
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook includes articles that describe many new exhibits and new Natural History Museum directors that came and went
during this time. Reportedly, Colonel Arthur F. Fischer passed away in 1962 and is succeeded by George E. Lindsey who steps
down in 1963. Dr. E. Yale Dawson accepts the job next, but he also steps down a year later and is succeeded by Richard P.
Phillips in 1965. New exhibits reported on include the birds of San Diego County, arthropods, marine life, and a rabies exhibit
in collaboration with the San Diego Department of Public Health. Articles report that a Julius Wangenheim sundial, donated
by the creator's daughter, was given to the museum. Other clippings report on excursions of San Diego scientists to the Galapagos
Islands and Baja California. 41 pages.
Item 10
Scrapbook Vol. 11
1966-1968
Scope and Contents
This collects articles dated 1966-1968. Many articles report on earthquakes and light tremors felt around the San Diego area,
detected by the museum's seismograph, including some caused by nuclear blast tests in Nevada. Includes reports on the deaths
of scientists who used to work closely with the museum, including Laurence Klauber and former museum director E. Yale Dawson.
Collected articles discuss the expansion of the Natural History Museum. 69 pages.
Item 11
Scrapbook Vol. 12
1969-1972
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook contains articles regarding the resignation of Natural History Museum director Richard P. Phillips and the
subsequent appointment of Dr. William A. Burns to the position. During Burns' time in the position, he reportedly created
a new series of "Museum at Work" exhibits that allowed the public behind-the-scenes views of the work done at the museum.
He also spoke out against the lack of minority representation in museum boards and staff. The Natural History Museum published
a number of articles included here that warned the public against the use of the pesticide DDT. Included are many articles
about whales from this time, including reports that Mexico declared Scammon's Lagoon in Baja California a whale sanctuary,
and many articles follow the release of a young gray whale named Gigi from Sea World. 59 pages.
Item 12
Scrapbook Vol. 13
1972-1973
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook includes many "What's Going On" and "What's Doing in San Diego" articles that advertise various lectures or
film screenings at the Natural History Museum. Includes a series of articles called "San Diego Nature Notes" written by various
employees of the museum. Museum programs and exhibits reported on in the articles include fossil shells and their living counterparts,
the endangered California condor and brown pelican, the Japanese beetle, and phosphorite rocks. Includes reports of a photo
collection about Executive Order 9066, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, which was on display in San
Diego because of Natural History Museum director William Burns, though not in the Natural History Museum. Also includes an
article spotlighting the Natural History Museum's Tactile Mobile Museum Program, which brought portions of museum exhibits
to "physically and mentally handicapped children." Many articles follow a fight to preserve the Florida Canyon in Balboa Park,
led by Natural History Museum associate botanist Helen Witham. The scrapbook includes articles about a beached gray whale
that was buried in Imperial Beach in 1963. In the articles dated 10 years later, scientists at the Scripps Institute and the
Natural History Museum chose to uncover the whale's skeleton and exhibit it at the museum. 56 pages.
Item 13
Scrapbook Vol. 14
1973-1974
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook includes many reports on the centennial celebrations of the Society of Natural History, which included a dinner
and series of luncheons, free admission for a day at the Natural History Museum, the opening of a new exhibit (The Sefton
Hall of Shore Ecology), and guest speaker and conservationist Euell Gibson. Notable names related to the museum appeared in
many of the articles, including Dr. Raymond Gilmore, a whale expert who led whale-watching tours for the museum; Dr. Carl
L. Hubbs, who was named Scientist of the Year at the Society of Natural History's centennial dinner celebration; Ephraim Morse,
the "father of Balboa Park"; Guy McCaskie, research associate and ornithologist; Mrs. J. Dallas Clark, President of the Society
of Natural History; Thomas Fritts, herpetologist; and various curators of the museum: George Radwin (marine invertebrates),
Reid Moran and Helen Witham (botany), Arnold Ross (invertebrate fossils), Josephine Scripps (minerals), and Anthony D'Attilio
(assistant curator of invertebrate fossils and artist). Included articles report an invasive species (the African Clawed Frog),
a thriving colony of Alaskan Fur Seals on San Miguel Island, and the remains of lost civilizations found off the California
Coast. 79 pages.
Item 18
Scrapbook Vol. 19
1978-1980
Item 19
Scrapbook Vol. 20
1980-1981
Item 20
Scrapbook Vol. 21
1981-1982
Item 21
Scrapbook Vol. 22
1983-1985
Item 22
Scrapbook Vol. 23
1982-1984
Item 23
Scrapbook Vol. 24
1985-1986
Item 24
Scrapbook Vol. 25
1986-1987
Item 29
Scrapbook Vol. 30
1993-1994
Scope and Contents
15 pages and envelope with a few clippings.
