The Geology and Paleontology Department records document the history and activities of this department throughout the mid-20th century. This collection, which dates from 1838 to 1992, with the majority of records dating between 1930 and 1980, consists of histories, reports, correspondence, inventories, catalogs, classification files, photographs, negatives, drawings, notebooks, logbooks, grant proposals, and donor files. These records document the administration of the Geology and Paleontology Department through change and continuing scientific discovery. By viewing these records as a whole, one can glimpse the steady advance of 20th century paleontological research and the Academy of Natural Science’s important role in this field.

This collection is arranged into three series: “I. Administrative records, 1838-1992,” “II. Correspondence, 1858-1980,” and “III. Inventories and catalogs, 1938-1980.”

Series “I. Administrative records” dates from 1838 to 1992, with most of the records dating from 1935 to 1980, and is arranged chronologically. This series contains departmental histories, notes, correspondence, reports, grant proposals, photographs, negatives, diagrams, exhibition labels, and register books. These materials document activities such as the reactivation of the department in 1936, field work conducted by the department, the maintenance and study of departmental collections, exhibition planning, educational projects, and the relocation of the department in 1977. Researchers should note that these materials may directly relate to materials in Series II and Series III, since correspondence and taking inventory of collections are natural administrative activities.

Series “II. Correspondence” dates from 1858 to 1980, with most of the records dating from 1932 to 1975, and is arranged alphabetically. Individuals with a significant amount of records are first arranged alphabetically by last name. This arrangement is followed by an alphabetical list of assorted correspondents who are less prevalent in the collection. Finally, correspondence is included that does not feature any specific named individual but is instead organized by subject. This arrangement reflects the original arrangement of the collection. Researchers should note that correspondence that has been kept with related documents can also be found in other series, to preserve their context. Likewise, materials related to individuals in this series can also be found in other series, and correspondence in Series II may relate to those materials. For example, memoranda by Horace G. Richards may relate to his administrative activities documented in Series I. Likewise, letters by Edwin Colbert may relate to his cataloging work that is documented in Series III.

Series “III. Inventories and catalogs” dates from 1938 to 1980, although there is a significant gap between these dates and most of the records in this series are undated. This series is arranged alphabetically, and documents several collections both in the Academy of Natural Sciences and outside. Of note is an inventory of a petrologic collection that was deaccessioned to the Wagner Free Institute of Science in 1993, which was compiled circa 1978 when the collection was packed for storage. Also included is a collection of donor files found on 3 X 5 index cards that were compiled circa 1980 by L. Gay Vostreys. Box 5 contains files regarding specimens in the Vertebrate Paleontology department. These files are arranged alphabetically by donor. Following this alphabetical arrangement are files noting correspondence information related to donations, as well as bibliographic files. The bibliographic files are arranged according to whether they were read or not, most likely by L. Gay Vostreys. Box 6 contains files regarding specimens in the Invertebrate Paleontology department. These files are arranged alphabetically by donor. Following these cards are files regarding specimens in the Paleobotany department, also arranged alphabetically by donor. Also included in this series are catalog works of Edwin H. Colbert, who worked primarily at the American Museum of Natural History but also played a significant role at the Academy of Natural Sciences as the Associate Curator of Paleontology during the late 1930s. In this series can be found notes, drafts, and writings related to vertebrate fossil collections. Materials related to his work can also be found in Series I and Series II.

Overall this collection provides an interesting perspective on the Academy of Natural Sciences’ role in the fields of geology and paleontology. The research and education of this topic are documented, but mostly the daily administration of the department. Notably, this collection documents the activities of the department during the period of World War II, and researchers may discover how paleontological field research was affected or not affected by the war. Finally, it is important to note that this collection should be taken in conjunction with the Horace G. Richards papers that are also housed in the Academy Archives. Richards played a significant role as a member of the Geology and Paleontology Department, and his research thus plays an integral part in the history of the department, just as the department records may reveal an important perspective of his professional activities.