Elmer C. Aldrich papers

Title: Elmer C. Aldrich papers

Dates: 1932-2010

Collection Number: MVZA.MSS.0001

Creator/Collector: Aldrich, Elmer Clare, 1914-2010

Extent: 2.0 cubic feet

Repository: UC Berkeley. Museum of Vertebrate Zoology

Abstract: The Elmer C. Aldrich papers collection consists of field notes, publication reprints, artwork, photographs, specimen catalogs, syllabi, newspaper clippings, and various personal papers from the Elmer Aldrich Estate. The collection contains Aldrich's personal collection of reprints from many publications ranging from 1894-1994. In addition to the reprints and personal papers, the collection also contains two volumes of field notes from 1935-1938 and a watercolor painting of the Life Sciences Building at the University of California, Berkeley done by Aldrich's wife, Jane Nold. The Aldrich papers also contain a folder of Allan Brooks, a wildlife artist, materials.

Language of Material: English

The collection is open for research.

Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.

[Identification of item]. Elmer C. Aldrich papers. Collection Number: MVZA.MSS.0001. UC Berkeley. Museum of Vertebrate Zoology

Elmer Clare Aldrich, born in 1914, was a student of the University of California, Berkeley for both his B.A. and M.A. in Biological Science. In the 1930s, he studied under the first Director of the Museum of Vertebrate zoology at Berkeley, Joseph Grinnell. Aldrich considered Grinnell a lifelong mentor and huge influence on his work. His life’s work revolved around conservation and protection of wildlife areas, particularly in his home of Sacramento. Throughout his career he served as a Wildlife Technician and Ranger Naturalist and was a longtime employee of the California State Parks and Recreation Department. He was also a member of the California Conservation Council, California Natural Areas Coordinating Council, as well as the Advisory Committee for California Significant Natural Areas Program under the Department of Fish and Game. Additionally he served on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society and was president of the Sacramento Audubon Society. Notably, he also served as a Photographic Officer in the Navy during WWII and saw and photographed the devastation at Pearl Harbor. His most deeply-cherished achievement, however, was the conceptualization and realization of the American River Parkway, which is now a 23 mile parkway running throughout Sacramento County. He was instrumental in the Save the American River Association and remained so until his death at age 95 in Sacramento. Aldrich remained a part of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology community throughout his entire life and even spoke on the experience of working with Joseph Grinnell as a young graduate student during the MVZ’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2008 at age 93. References “Aldrich, Elmer C.” Sacramento Bee [Sacramento, CA] 12 May 2010. Frost, Garrison. “Elmer Aldrich will be greatly missed.” Audublog. 19 May 2010. Web. 17 July 2013. <http://www.audublog.org/?p=3862>

The Elmer C. Aldrich papers collection consists of field notes, publication reprints, artwork, photographs, specimen catalogs, syllabi, newspaper clippings, and various personal papers from the Elmer Aldrich Estate. The collection contains Aldrich's personal collection of reprints from many publications ranging from 1894-1994, a vast majority of which are authored by Joseph Grinnell or have Grinnell as the subject matter. In addition to the reprints and the collection contains many personal papers from the Aldrich Estate including papers concerning the 75th, 90th, and 100th anniversary celebrations of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and MVZ Christmas cards from the 1940s. The collection also contains a folder of Allan Brooks, a wildlife artist, materials given by the Aldrich Estate. Additionally, there are two volumes of field notes from 1935-1938 and a watercolor painting of the Life Sciences Building at the University of California, Berkeley done by Aldrich's wife, Jane Nold. The majority of the collection concerns work done in California, though one volume of field notes is from a 1935 field work expedition in Idaho. The Elmer C. Aldrich papers span the dates 1932-2010, while the reprints belonging to Aldrich range in publication from 1894-1994. The collection is 2.0 cubic feet.