These records document the history, operation, and activities of the ANS (before 1960, the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia). They also help to illustrate
the evolution of the local and national conservation movement; environmental legislation and issues supported by ANS; the development of environmental education; and the natural
history of Washington, D. C. and vicinity. The records include correspondence, scrapbooks, minutes, announcements, circulars, publications, reports, fiscal records, photographs,
newspaper clippings, field notes, manuscripts, tape recordings, phonograph records, drawings, and memorabilia.
Historical Note:
The Audubon Society of the District of Columbia was founded on 18 May 1897 "...for the protection and study of birds..." The original by-laws placed governing authority
for the Society in a fifteen member Executive Committee which supervised the election of officers, appointed committees, managed finances, and arranged for publications and
meetings. Officers of the Society included a President, Honorary Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When the Society was incorporated in 1947, new by-laws were
instituted which abolished the Executive Committee and replaced it with an annually elected Board of Directors. In December 1959, the name of the Society was changed to the
Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc. (ANS). In 1969, the Society moved into its headquarters at Woodend, a thirty room mansion on forty acres of
land in Chevy Chase, Maryland, which was bequeathed to ANS by Mrs. Chester Wells. The Atlantic Naturalist, the Society's official organ, was published from 1950 to
1976. In 1976, Audubon Naturalist News became the primary ANS publication.
Although the Society was founded "for the protection and study of birds," it has been active in all areas of wildlife protection, the preservation of natural areas, and
pollution control. The Society has lobbied for environmental legislation, promoted environmental education, and disseminated environmental information through its publication
program. Conservation efforts of the Society have included blocking the construction of highways along the C & O Canal and through Rock Creek and Glover-Archbold parks;
the preservation of Dyke Marsh in Virginia; assistance in the formation of the Potomac Valley Conservation and Recreation Council; and the protection of bald and golden eagles.
Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This collection division consists of correspondence, reports, notes and related materials created by various committees of ANS, 1937-1978. Committees represented
by records include the Archives Committee, the Audit Committee, the Committee on Appraisal of the Atlantic Naturalist, the Conservation Committee, the Exhibits Committee,
the Field Trip Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the Lecture Committee, the Membership Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Program Committee, and the Publications
Committee.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7294, Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States., Records
Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
In 1946, the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia began publication of a mimeographed newsletter called "The Wood Thrush." It was put into journal form in
1948 and renamed Atlantic Naturalist in 1950. The journal ceased publication in 1976. Editors of Atlantic Naturalist, and its predecessor "The Wood Thrush" included
Shirley A. Briggs, 1949-1969; Gale Monson, 1969-1971; and Ben O. Osborn, 1971-1976.
This collection division documents the publication of Atlantic Naturalist, and its predecessor "The Wood Thrush", 1948-1976. The records consist primarily of general
correspondence, 1948-1971; advertising records, 1948-1971; and subscription records, 1951-1968. Also included are records concerning the suspension of publication, 1977-1980.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7294, Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States., Records
