Purple Finch, June 27, 1905
Scope and Contents
The MSU Museum records consist primarily of materials from the director and of the curator of history and include correspondence, reports, publications, reprints, and scrapbook collections of publicity. There are also visitor registers from 1896 and 1898.
The papers of the museum director include the administration of Rollin H. Baker. The files also include research proposals and reports submitted by museum staff and graduate students. Additional director’s files for Rollin Baker were added and include files on the various organizations he was involved in including the Organization for Tropical Studies and the Michigan Audubon Society. There are also materials related to Michigan State University including the Latin American Studies Center, international programs, MSU Tropical Studies Group, WKAR scripts for radio classes, and material about Zoology 301 class tours.
The papers of Frank N. Elliott, Curator of History at the MSU Museum from 1957 to 1961, reflect Elliott's attempts to formulate permanent exhibits that would present a view of the farm and home life in Michigan during the late 19th century. Included are letters to several Michigan libraries requesting genealogical data for individuals associated with the history of farm life in Michigan. The replies to his request are brief, containing such limited information as birth, death or occupation.
Relating more directly to the affairs of the museum are the papers that present floor plans for several displays. A brief outline of the building structure and a historical sketch of the museum are also included.
The publication series include a folder of abstracts of monographs and publications by museum staff members. Other publications include reports of the museum's archaeological projects in The Lasanen Site: An Historical Burial Locality In Mackinac County, Michigan; The Lothagam Site: A Late Stone Age Fishing Settlement in the Lake Rudolf Basin, Kenya; and Excavation at Fort Michilimacinac: Mackinac City, Michigan, 1959 Season. The Cathcart Family: A Family Account of 100 Years of American History was produced as part of the museum's Cultural Series publications.
The Electronic Resources includes issues of the e-newsletter, Museum News & Notes, from 2009 to 2016.
Dates
- Creation: June 27, 1905
Creator
- From the Record Group: Michigan State University. Museum (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Record Group: 4 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Record Group: English
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu