The Virginia Orr Maes papers houses the records of Virginia Orr Maes. This collection, which dates from 1950 to 1987, consists of notes, writings, negatives, illustrations, subject files, correspondence, ephemera, biographies, and photographs, and evinces the research of Virginia Orr Maes while she was associated with the Academy until her death in 1986.

This collection is arranged into three series: “Series I. Research, 1950-1983,” “Series II. Correspondence, 1956-1986,” and “Series III. Personal, 1957-1986.”

Series I “Research” dates from 1950 to 1983 and is comprised of three subseries: “Subseries Ia. Notebooks, circa 1980s,” “Subseries Ib. Publications, 1956-1983,” and “Subseries Ic. Subject files, 1950-1968.”

Subseries “Ia. Notebooks” dates from circa 1980s, although the bulk of materials are undated, and is arranged alphabetically. This subseries contains records pulled from notebooks which were titled mostly with subspecies names in the Turridae family. The original titles of the notebooks have been preserved, while the order has been refined alphabetically. Researchers should note that these files may cross over topically with the subject files found in Subseries Ic, but have been arranged separately to reflect their original arrangement.

Subseries “Ib. Publications” dates from 1956 to 1983 and is arranged chronologically. This subseries contains drafts of Maes’ publications, which present her research of Turridae. In addition to rough drafts and notes, this subseries includes illustrated plates, photographs, and negatives which were also used in her publications.

Subseries “Ic. Subject files” dates from 1950 to 1968, although there are many undated records, and is arranged alphabetically. This subseries contains notes, sketches, and photographs that are described by taxonomic names and geographic locations. These subject files may bear topical crossover with “Subseries Ia. Notebooks.” Geographic locations reflect Maes’ travel destinations where she conducted her research.

Series II “Correspondence” dates from 1956 to 1986 and is arranged alphabetically. This series contains several files of Maes’ correspondence regarding her work at the Academy, mostly found at the beginning of the series. This arrangement reflects her original arrangement.

Series III “Personal” dates from 1957 to 1987 and is arranged alphabetically. This series contains materials related to Maes’ involvement in the American Malacological Union and other local shell clubs; photographs and illustrations related to her personal life, travels abroad, and relationships with other malacologists; travel documents; and biographies and obituaries regarding Maes from the time of her death. Graphic materials in this series may be related to her research, although many of the photographs focus less on specimens and more on the people and sights of her destinations.

This collection thoroughly documents Virginia Orr Maes’ research at the Academy of Natural Science, and the expeditions she participated in as a representative of this organization. The records also indirectly document her as a person, and the professional network she maintained. Researchers interested in malacologists or malacological collections at the Academy will find this collection valuable, as well as researchers specifically interested in Turridae.