Archives
In addition to the historical records of the Academy, the archives contain the papers and or field notes of Benjamin T. Gault, Illinois ornithologist; Herman S. Pepoon, botanist of the Great Lakes region; letters to ornithologist Charles B. Cory; nature photographs taken by Robert Ridgway, as well as letters to Ridgway. Among the more esoteric collections is a scrapbook of Elizabeth Atwater, which contains, among other items, specimens of George and Martha Washington's hair. A prized possession is a notebook of letters written by famous American naturalists immediately after The Great Chicago Fire. The letters, addressed to Academy director William Stimpson, all commiserated with the losses suffered by the Academy.
Photographs
Of the approximately 2,500 glass negatives, most dating from 1890-1920, many contain scenes of Illinois prairies, forests, and the early days of Starved Rock State Park. The Academy also has approximately 3,000 early 20th century lantern slides, many illustrating the natural History of the Chicago region.
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