Collection Guide
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Metcalf (Woodbridge) Papers
BANC MSS C-B 1018
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Woodbridge Metcalf papers
creator:
Metcalf, Woodbridge, 1888-
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS C-B 1018
Physical Description:
33 linear feet
Number of containers: 25 cartons, 2 cardfile boxes, 4 oversize folders, 1 box, 1 oversize box
Date (inclusive): circa 1886-1972
Date (bulk): (bulk 1912-1972)
Abstract: Papers of Woodbridge Metcalf, first extension forester for the state of California.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection is open for research.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright
owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition,
the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor
restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected
by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of without permission of the copyright owner.
Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000.
[Identification of item], Woodbridge Metcalf papers, BANC MSS C-B 1018, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Photographs and pictorial materials have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library.
- Related collection: [Collected reprints] (308x M579 co v.1).
- Related collection: Fire protection in the Berkeley Hills, 1921-1926 (BANC MSS 67/65 c).
- Related collection: Woodbridge Metcalf files relating to the Northern California Section of the Society of American Foresters, 1916-1972 (BANC MSS 84/118 c).
- Related item: Extension forester, 1926-1956: transcript, 1968 (BANC MSS 69/150 c).
- Related item: Woodbridge Metcalf interview concerning forestry [sound recording] / conducted by Paul Casamajor, 1968 June (Phonotape 499B).
- Associated collection: The Metcalf-Fritz photograph collection (University of California, Berkeley Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library: BIOS PIC 01).
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
The Woodbridge Metcalf papers were gifted to the Bancroft Library by Mrs Woodbridge Metcalf and the University of California
Department of Forestry, 1973-1978.
No additions are expected.
Processed by Lara Michels in 2013. Finding aid revised for better performance in Aeon in 2017.
Woodbridge Metcalf (1888-1972) was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He received his B.A. and his M.S. in Forestry from the
University of Michigan in 1911 and 1912 respectively. In 1914, Metcalf accepted a position teaching silviculture and dendrology
in the newly formed Department of Forestry at the University of California. His scholarly interests and activities included
studies of the Coast Redwood, Sierra Redwood, Cork Oak, and Eucalypts. In 1926, Metcalf became the first Extension Forester
for California. He would serve in that post for thirty years, dedicating himself to public education in forestry and conservation.
As Extension Forester, Metcalf played a key role in the development of rural and forest fire protection programs in California,
organized a number of 4-H summer camps at Whitaker's Forest, Las Posadas, and White Oak Flat (among other locations) to teach
California youth about forests and the California environment, advocated for better management of farm woods, studied the
efficiency of windbreaks in the protection of citrus orchards in Southern California, and managed the University-owned Whitaker's
Forest in Tulare County. Metcalf was a life member of the California Conservation Council and served as its president for
four years. After retiring in 1956, Metcalf continued to pursue his tree studies and forestry activities. He conducted tree
surveys and developed street tree recommendations for the cities of Livermore, Walnut Creek, Hollister, Campbell, and Santa
Barbara. He participated in the International Shade Tree Conference amd the Street Tree Symposium at Saratoga and was active
in the California Christmas Tree Growers' Association. Metcalf was the author of numerous forestry articles and pamphlets
as well as censuses of trees in a range of California locations, including the the San Francisco Bay region and the campus
of the University of California, Berkeley, In addition to his forestry work, Metcalf was a skilled yachtsmen. He and his partner,
Glenn Waterhouse, won the International Star Class World Championships in 1933 and represented tne United States in the in
the 1936 Olympic games.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists of six series: correspondence, subject files, work-related organizations and institutions, teaching,
notebooks and clippings, and personalia. These series document the scholarly and public service forestry work of Woodbridge
Metcalf from the beginning of his career through his retirement years. The correspondence, which is arranged chronologically
by year from 1911 to 1972, is both personal and professional. The subject files include general subject files documenting
Metcalf's interests and activities with a range of tree species and California locations as well as particular sets of files
on his work with eucalypts and fire. These files include research material as well as manuscripts and reprints of some of
Metcalf's writings. The files on work-related organizations and institutions date mostly from the 1950s and 1960s and document
Metcalf's work with the the foloowing institutions, among others: the California Conservation Council, the Saratoga Horticultural
Foundation, the Society of American Foresters, Northern California Division, the University of California Agricultural Extension,
and the FSX club. Files on Metcalf's teaching include course instruction manuals for a range of Forestry courses at the University
of California dating from circa 1917 to 1925 as well as copies of course exams and materials relating to the University of
California Forestry camps. Personalia includes biographical materials, genealogy, some family papers, early school notebooks,
a file of Metcalf's verses and songs, materials relating to organizations in which Metcalf was personally active, including
the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Berkeley Senior Center, and the City of Berkeley Committee on Aging, and diaries
and appointment books. Among the personalia is also a circa 1936 paper (written by Metcalf and Glenn Waterhouse) entitled
Yachts of the International Star Class on San Francisco Bay, 1923-1936.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Forests and forestry--California
Eucalyptus--California
Coast redwood
Giant sequoia
Christmas trees--California
Trees--California
Trees--California--San Francisco Bay Area
Trees--California--Berkeley
Trees--California--Santa Barbara
Trees--California--Walnut Creek
Trees--California--Campbell
Trees--California, Southern
Forest fires--California
Forest fires--California--Prevention and control
Wildfires--California
Fire prevention--California
Fire management--California
Forest management--California
4-H clubs--California
Nature conservation--Study and teaching--California
Nature study--Activity programs--California
Notebooks
Clippings
Faculty papers
Photographs
Metcalf, Woodbridge, 1888-
Metcalf, Woodbridge, 1888- --Archives
University of California, Berkeley. School of Forestry and Conservation.
California Conservation Council
Whitaker's Forest Cooperative Natural Resources Research Station (Calif.)
Society of American Foresters. Northern California Section
Saratoga Horticultural Foundation
General Society of Mayflower Descendants