The collection consists of Fielding Meek's notebooks, diaries and sketch books from 1846-1873. The field books document not only his observations and collecting during fieldwork, but also specimen processing, references used, and fiscal management. Field books detail work completed working with David Dale Owen's US Geological Survey of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (1848 and 1849), the Bad Lands of Nebraska in association with Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden (1853), and George Clinton Swallow's Geological Survey of Missouri (1854 and 1855). Later notebooks document Meek's observations and collections of fossils found near coal deposits. Several include detail sketches of specimens. Often labeled and noted cross sections are found in his field notes.|In several of the notebooks from his travels in the upper midwest, Meek includes descriptions of interactions and observations of American Indian tribes and individuals. Also includes notes books from Meek's work under David Dale Owens, during United States geological surveys in the 1840's in the Great Lakes and midwest region of the United States.
Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.
