Kentucky Society of Natural History Records, 1939-1994
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Kentucky Society of Natural History
Title: Records, 1939-1994
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 2 cubic feet
Location Number: Mss. BH K37a
Scope and Content Note
The Kentucky Society of Natural History Records contain a variety of documents detailing the KSNH’s finances, member rosters, the annual photograph contest, and board and committee minutes. The KSNH records span from 1939 to 1994. The society was founded for the purpose of conversation and nature awareness. During the 1970s, the KSNH sponsored educational surveys of trees, wildflowers, and butterflies for elementary and high school students. Newsletters such as the Kentucky Naturalist, chapter newsletters, and monthly bulletins informed members of internal affairs such as the election of officers and meetings, membership dues, and news concerning nature and conservation such as the preservation of the Falls of the Ohio. Clippings from the Courier-Journal Magazine from the 1940s to the 1980s depict the award-winning photographs from the annual photograph contest and articles concerning nature and conservation.
Biographical Note
In 1939, Dr. Harvey B. Lowell, Dr. William M. Clay, and Dr. Bishop, three biology professors from the University of Louisville, formed the Natural History Club. Drs. Lowell, Clay, and Bishop established their club to promote nature and conservation in Louisville and in Kentucky. Over the next five years, the Natural History Club grew to include about 200 members, an annual photography contest (begun in 1941), and annual conferences and nature field trips. In 1943, the Natural History Club members incorporated the club and changed the club’s name to Kentucky Society of Natural History.
The newly christened Kentucky Society of Natural History continued to promote and foster an interest in nature and conservation. In 1946, the society printed the first Kentucky Naturalist, the society newsletter, containing news, scientific articles, and information concerning the society’s annual photograph contest. The Kentucky Society of Natural History also printed the Annals of Kentucky Natural History, which contained more in-depth scientific articles.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, the Kentucky Society of Natural History continued to grow. The KSNH opened chapters throughout Kentucky. During the 1970s, the KSNH promoted environmental awareness in schools through annual surveys of trees, wildflowers, and Monarch butterflies. The KSNH also supported the preservation of the Falls of the Ohio, Cumberland Falls, and supported a state botanical gardens in Louisville.
Folder List
Box 1
Folder 1: KSNH Annual Dinner
Folder 2; “Isn’t Nature Wonderful”
Folder 3: KSNH Constitution and By-laws
Folder 4: Checklists
Folder 5: Taxes and Financial Papers
Folder 6: Member Rosters
Folder 7: Photographic Contests
Folder 8: Board and Committee Minutes
Folder 9: KSNH Bulletins
Folder 10: KSNH Bulletins
Folder 11: KSNH Bulletins – Echo of the Falls
Folder 12: KSNH Bulletins – Nature Notes and Kentucky Natures
Folder 13: Wildflower Survey- 1976
Folder 14: Wildflower Survey- 1977
Folder 15: Wildflower Survey- 1978 and 1979
Folder 16: Tree Survey – 1977
Folder 17: Tree Survey- 1978
Folder 18: Monarch Butterfly Migration Survey – 1978
Folder 19: Cumberland State Park Survey
Folder 20: Spring and Fall Conference Programs
Folder 21: Conference Registration Sheets
Folder 22: Miscellaneous
Folder 23: Miscellaneous – Correspondence
Folder 24: Miscellaneous – Educational Materials
Folder 25: Miscellaneous – Book
Box 2
Folder 26: Newspaper Clippings – 1943 -1949
Folder 27: Newspaper Clippings – 1950 and 1951
Folder 28: Newspaper Clippings – 1952
Folder 29: Newspaper Clippings – 1953 – 1959
Folder 30: Newspaper Clippings – 1960 -1966
Folder 31: Newspaper Clippings – 1967 – 1970
Folder 32: Newspaper Clippings – 1971 – 1983
Folder 33: Newspaper Clippings – Undated
Folder 34: Natural History News
Folder 35: Annals of Kentucky Natural History
Folder 36: The Kentucky Naturalist – 1946 – 1958
Folder 37: The Kentucky Naturalist – 1959 – 1967
Folder 38: The Kentucky Naturalist – 1968 – 1975
Folder 39: The Kentucky Naturalist – Photo Salon Issue – 1975 – 1986
Folder 40: The Kentucky Naturalist News – 1978 – 1981
Folder 41: The Kentucky Naturalist News – 1982 – 1985
Folder 42: The Kentucky Naturalist News – 1987 – 1992
