Portland Society of Natural History (Me.)

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The Portland Society of Natural History was incorporated in 1850, succeeding the earlier Maine Institute of Natural Science. During its active period, members included Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Commodore Robert E. Peary. The collection of the Society was originally amassed through the donation or purchase of private collections and rivaled any others on the East Coast. Many of these were damaged by fires in 1854 and 1866. The Society was largely incorporated into the Maine Audubon Society in the early 1970s and its collections dispersed.

From the description of Collection, 1845-1938. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 715440128

The Portland Society of Natural History was incorporated in 1850, after growing out of the earlier Maine Institute of Natural Science. The society's collection was originally amassed through the donation or purchase of private collections, many of which were damaged in the fires in 1854 and 1866. During its period of activity, the Portland Society of Natural History included Commodore Robert E. Peary and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as members, and its collections rivaled any others on the East Coast. The society was mostly incorporated into the Maine Audubon Society in the early 1970s, and its collections were dispersed.

From the description of Portland Society of Natural History collection, 1845-1938. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 642053362

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Portland Society of Natural History (Me.). Portland Society of Natural History records, 1850-1946. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Archives. Ru 52: Assistant Secretary, Incoming Correspondenc.
referencedIn James Franklin Collins papers, 1883-1942 Harvard University, Gray Herbarium
referencedIn Morse, Edward Sylvester, 1838-1925. Edward Sylvester Morse correspondence, ca. 1860-1900. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Wood, William, 1810-1899. Edwin Bicknell : a memorial tribute, undated. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Norton, Arthur Herbert, 1870-1943. Arthur Herbert Norton papers, 1847-1964. Maine Historical Society Library
creatorOf Portland Society of Natural History (Me.). [Minor publications]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Maine field naturalist bird sightings files, 1952-1972 (bulk 1956-1969) Raymond H. Fogler Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1865-1891 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Norton, Arthur Herbert, 1870-1943. Papers, 1892-1942, bulk 1921-1942. Raymond H. Fogler Library
creatorOf Portland Society of Natural History (Me.). Portland Society of Natural History collection, 1845-1938. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Gould, John Mead, 1839-1930. John Mead Gould diaries, 1855-1929. Maine Historical Society Library
creatorOf Portland Society of Natural History (Me.). Collection, 1845-1938. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Portland Society of Natural History scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, 1887-1921. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn The Papers of Edward Lothrup Rand (1859-1924) Botany Libraries
referencedIn Morgan, Jonathan, 1778-1871. Jonathan Morgan autograph letters signed, 1866. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Harvard University. Museum of Comparative Zoology. Records, 1859-1984 (inclusive), 1859-1946 (bulk). Harvard University, Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology
referencedIn Gould, John Mead, 1839-1930. John Mead Gould papers, 1854-1930. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Maine Audubon Society. [Contact repository for more information].
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1863-1879 Smithsonian Institution Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Allen, Elizabeth Akers, 1832-1911. person
associatedWith Baxter, James Phinney, 1831-1921. person
associatedWith Baxter, Percival Proctor, 1876-1969. person
associatedWith Beckett, S. B. 1812-1882. person
correspondedWith Bolles, E. C. person
associatedWith Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872. person
associatedWith Fox, Charles Lewis, 1854-1927. person
associatedWith Gilbert, Fred A. person
associatedWith Gould, John Mead, 1839-1930. person
associatedWith Harmon, Charles C. b. 1846. person
associatedWith Harvard University. Museum of Comparative Zoology. corporateBody
associatedWith Haven, Herbert M. W. person
correspondedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 person
associatedWith Hinds, Aurelius Stone. person
associatedWith Hubbard, Thomas H. 1838-1915. person
correspondedWith Mccobb, James T. person
associatedWith Mighels, Jesse W. person
associatedWith Morese, Charles Wyman. person
associatedWith Morgan, Jonathan, 1778-1871. person
associatedWith Morse, Edward Sylvester, 1838-1925. person
associatedWith Morse, George Frederick, 1885-1963. person
associatedWith Moulton, Augustus Freedom, 1848-1933. person
associatedWith Neal, John, 1793-1876. person
associatedWith Norton, Arthur Herbert, 1870-1943. person
associatedWith Preble, George Henry, 1816-1885. person
associatedWith Willis, William, 1794-1870. person
correspondedWith Wood, W. (Dr.) person
associatedWith Wood, William, 1810-1899. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Maine--Portland
Portland (Me.)
Maine--Portland
Maine
Portland (Me.)
Maine
Maine
Subject
Conchologists
Hunting
Hunting
Learned institutions and societies
Mineralogists
Natural history
Natural history
Naturalists
Scientific organizations
Shells
Shells
Smithsonian Exchange
Occupation
Activity
Conchologists
Hunters
Naturalists

Corporate Body

Active 1845

Active 1938

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