D Holmes
Prepared by: Deborah Shea, May 2023
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Scope and Content Note | Background | Processing Note | Series Descriptions | Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge
The records of Allen Bird Club provide insights into the founding, focus, activities and accomplishments of one of the oldest bird clubs in the nation. The earliest days of the Club are described through clippings and a handwritten constitution. Clippings document the organization of a “Bird Study Club” and its initial meeting at the Science Museum in Springfield with an election of officers, appointment of a committee to draw up a constitution and by-laws, and a plan to engage a well-known lecturer on the subject of birds to speak at the next meeting. The date of the first meeting was January 8, 1912. Another clipping reveals the beginnings of the Club’s long relationship with the Science Museum, then the Museum of Natural History. Grace Pettis Johnson, a founding member of the Club, was curator of the Museum of Natural History. Johnson noted in her annual report to the City Library Association “the large additions to the museum, the formation of a bird club … and the addition of a lecture room, where several instructive talks have been given…” (June 6, 1912, Springfield Republican). Another clipping documents the Club’s budding activism: “The Club voted to send a letter to Senator H.C. Lodge asking him to support the McLean Bill providing government protection for migratory birds.” (January 7, 1913, Springfield Daily News.) The Weeks-McLean Act prohibited the spring hunting and marketing of migratory birds as well as the importing of wild bird feathers for women’s fashion. It became effective on March 4, 1913.
Minutes, field trip information, check lists and programs detail the Club’s efforts to study and share knowledge about birds, and to educate people about birds. The minutes also shed light on the Club’s environmental activism. Photographs reveal the comradery of members. There is information about plantings to support birds, too. The papers of officers document efforts to raise awareness about the environmental impact of DDT, opposition to the use of lead shot for hunting and to the Sunday hunting of migratory ducks. There is also information about the Club’s use of its Rachael Phelps Fund to enable local land trusts and neighboring towns to purchase and preserve land that provides critical habitat for nesting and migrating birds and other wildlife. The Club’s leadership role in the fight against aerial spraying of insecticide for mosquito control is noted in a clipping dated May 12, 1964.
The records pertaining to the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge form a separate group of records. These records broadly consist of organizational records, documents related to conservation efforts, land acquisitions, land use, maps, officer’s papers, a few photographs and reference. The First Annual Report of the Refuge (1951) describes the Club’s efforts to establish a bird sanctuary in the Longmeadow Flats. The effort was prompted by the rapid destruction of the natural habitat of the area. The Club realized that soon one of the few “excellent” birding areas would be lost. A Sanctuary Committee was formed in 1950, parcels were surveyed and a name was adopted commemorating Fannie Stebbins who encouraged and advanced nature study in the Springfield Schools and was instrumental in the founding of the Club. Sixty-two years later, the complicated process of exploring options for the future of the Refuge is detailed in the papers of Janet Orcutt.
The documents comprising the Allen Bird Club Archives were provided by three sources. The first group of records was collected and maintained by Janet Orcutt, a past president and active member of the Club. Following Ms. Orcutt’s death in April 2020, her son delivered to Lois Richardson a large plastic bin containing her ABC records. Lois reviewed the contents of the bin and discovered binders of meeting minutes from the earliest days of ABC; a binder of snapshots, clippings, and historical documents; multiple copies of programs; Ms. Orcutt’s documents concerning options for the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge; letters from past presidents to Club members, and more. The trove inspired Lois and Board members to take action on the historical materials. Lois and I later conferred about the ABC materials and I agreed to arrange and describe them as a pro bono project. Lois placed the various materials in three smaller boxes (about two linear feet) for easier handling and she and her husband delivered them to me for archival processing in October 2021.
Gaps in the historical materials became apparent as the hands-on work of sorting and organizing the materials proceeded. For example, the meeting minutes spanning 1931-1948 were missing and Club newsletters were not available. Lois notified colleagues about the project and her efforts doubled the size of the ABC Archives and filled gaps. In May 2022, Janice Zepko, a long-time member, contributed two boxes and a bag of materials and Kathy Conway added files related to her years as president of the Club.
The principal goal of my project was to organize the various documents and images so that they would be accessible. ABC was considering next steps for its Archives and members of the Executive Committee needed to know the content of the collection in order to make informed decisions.
My work included removing documents from envelopes, folders, binders and small boxes, reviewing and classifying them, and then placing them in archival folders and boxes. The hands-on work also involved some minor conservation. For example, rusted staples and rubber bands were replaced with stainless steel staples. Original clippings promoting the Club’s activities spanning 1912-2009 were retained. The clippings were mounted on archival cardstock with corners and placed in sleeves. Clippings placed in files with other documents were copied to prevent damage from acid migration, or placed behind a protective barrier. Documents on poor-quality papers also were copied. Extra copies of the Club Program were returned to Lois Richardson. Other duplicates and materials of a routine nature were not retained, e.g., directions to an event, confirmations, etc.
After processing, the Allen Bird Club Archives totaled 4.6 linear feet and consisted of meeting minutes, announcements, count and census records, financial reports, histories, membership lists, officer’s papers, programs, reference materials, and more. This volume also includes 1.5 linear feet of materials documenting the Club’s efforts to establish and maintain the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge. Records pertaining to the Refuge were boxed as a separate group of records.
The organizational structure developed for the Allen Bird Club Archives is described below. In addition, I prepared expanded Box and Folder Lists to aid review of the content of the collection and the Refuge materials. Finally, a Box List provides locations for specific categories of records.
The records of the Allen Bird Club were arranged into 12 series based on their format and function. The Organizational Records consist of meetings materials, lists of officers and procedural records. The meetings files span 1916-2013 (with gaps) and contain minutes for regular and executive committee meetings, annual meetings and reports, presidents’ reports and other documents. The minutes include information about field trips and bird sightings, speaker’s presentations, endangered birds, chemical pesticides and more. For example, an appeal from the MA State Fish and Game Commission urging people not to shoot Ruffed Grouse or Partridge is recorded in the minutes for November 18, 1918. A presentation by Fannie Stebbins is summarized in the minutes for November 21, 1927. She suggested that “those seeking to interest beginners in bird study should not ignore our commonest birds” and to consider shape, size and the pose of birds as well as color when trying to identify birds. The minutes for May 2, 1949 contain reference to communications from the National Audubon Society about the effects of the new insecticides on birds, animals and fish life and a request to oppose amendments to the Duck Stamp Act that would allow the Department of the Interior to approve hunting in future wildlife refuges. A motion to “appoint a Committee to investigate the possibility of acquiring land to be used as a Bird Sanctuary” is noted in the minutes for September 26, 1949. A file for the Sanctuary Committee contains information about the selection of the Longmeadow Flats for a sanctuary and the challenges for financing its creation (1950-1951). Minutes during the 1960s document efforts to learn about pesticides and to control indiscriminate aerial spraying. The minutes for December 9, 1963 describe a letter-writing campaign to dissuade the Springfield Park Department from setting aside funds to pay for the spraying of DDT to control Dutch elm disease. More than 100 members, approximately 40 percent of the membership, sent letters. After 1978 there are large gaps in the meeting files.
The Procedural files hold various versions of the Club’s constitution, by-laws, rules and manuals (1912-1999). The oldest document in the collection is a handwritten Constitution, recorded by Effie Wilcox, the Club’s secretary. It defines the purposes of the Club, “to attract, conserve and study birds” and Amendment One notes the name of the Club shall be “The Allen Bird Club of Springfield, MA.” The constitution is undated, but likely written in 1912. The name change to honor Dr. Joel A. Allen, a noted ornithologist who hailed from Springfield, was reported in the February 21, 1912 issue of the Springfield Republican.
The Announcements and Mailings files (1951-2022, with gaps) primarily consist of letters from Club presidents to members about upcoming activities, planned films, finances, and more. Many letters reference the need to broaden the membership and engage the public, particularly youngsters. Environmental issues are also a focus. For example, in his letters to members, Seth Kellogg urged members to “speak out against the prevalent belief in growth at any cost, and to educate the public in the recreational value of nature study.” He also sought to make the fall hawk watch an event on par with the Christmas Count and the May Census, noting that “the migration of diurnal birds is an event we are only beginning to understand” (August 1979). In his letter to members, Bill Platenik focused on acid rain and urged members to “consider the positions of candidates on acid rain in particular and environmental issues in general” when voting (August 14, 1984) and Dee Puff informed members that an extra line for contribution to “Wildlife Futures,” a conference on the ecological state of our state, was provided on the membership form (1988).
The Bird-related Records (1913-2003) largely consist of field trip reports and count and census records. In 1949, the Club published its Annual Spring Census. The 25-page booklet includes comments about the weather, noteworthy omissions, interesting records, and the “most significant feature” of the census, that is, the small number of birds observed. In contrast, the summary of the 1950 Annual Spring Census notes the establishment of a new high record of 159 species. The Longmeadow Flats produced the most results (114 species). Field cards were used to quantify the data in the 1949 census. Examples of daily field cards can be found in the counts and census files for the 1950s.
Other documents of interest include Birds of Springfield, MA and Vicinity (1916), a checklist prepared by Grace Pettis Johnson based on ten years of bird observations, and “Migration Information for Common and Uncommon Birds,” updated in 1976. Johnson’s booklet contains separate lists for migrants and permanent residents and winter birds. The information for migrants includes frequency (e.g., common, rare) and the average date of arrival. The booklet was published by the Springfield Museum of Natural History. Included in the Migration Information is a list of rare birds and statistics for sightings before 1936 and after 1945. For example, as many as 30 Golden-winged Warblers were observed during migrations before 1936. The sightings of this bird significantly reduced after 1945, a time of wide-spread local development (the recorded number is one to three sightings). Another list provides sighting years for rare birds, such as Painted Buntings (1962, 1972, and 1974) and Hawk Owls (1867, 1884, 1932, and 1933), etc.
The Events files (1923-2012) contain information about Club anniversaries, annual meetings and banquets, and other activities and programs. The Club joined with Springfield College to develop exhibits for display at the Western MA Flower Show at the Eastern States Exposition (1952 and 1953). Their “Picnic Grove” exhibit won a gold medal in 1952 and the exhibit for 1953 received a first prize award from the Connecticut Valley Horticultural Society. The files contain clippings, background and comments by attendees. In addition, the file for 1952 contains a hand-out on DDT (“Who Killed Cock Robin”). There also are files for meetings and conferences hosted or sponsored by the Club, including the MA Audubon Futures Conference (November 12, 1988) and the First Annual Mass Birders Meeting (November 18, 1989). Other files relate to the wildlife series of lectures and films that ABC and Laughing Brook Education Center held at the Duggan School (1975-1995). Additional information about this long-time program can be found in the papers of Grace Fleming, who was chair of the film series during the 1980s and 1990s, and Ernest Yates. (SEE Officers’ Files.)
The majority of files in the Financial series hold Annual Reports of the Treasurer (1918/19-1924/25, 1936/1937) and Annual Financial Reports (1950-1992/93 with gaps, 2004/2005). Other files document donations by ABC and bequests to ABC. There are also files for the Rachel Phelps Fund (background on the fund and contributions, 2004/2005), the Tower Fund (a list of contributions, 6/1950) and the IRS’s 501 (c) (3) determination (1987). Additional information about the use of the Rachael Phelps Fund can be found in the papers of Kathy Conway. (SEE Officers’ Files.)
The Honors and Awards series consists of one file. It contains a clipping: The Allen Bird Club was accorded an Audubon “A” award for its efforts in creating the Stebbins Refuge in Longmeadow in December 1967. The City of Springfield also received an award for being the first municipality to assign fulltime paid staff to its Conservation Commission. Benedict Breitung, chairman of the Conservation Commission, accepted the award.
The majority of files in the Membership series contain handwritten alphabetical lists of members. The span dates for the available membership lists are: 1918/19-1922/23, 1930-1935 and 1945-1946. The lists are in fragile condition. While the names of new members are noted in the minutes, there are gaps in the information about members and membership statistics. A complete list of members was added to the Program for the 1967/68 season. (SEE Printed Material for additional information about the content of the Program.)
Arranged alphabetically by name, the Officers files span 1930-2015 and document the activities and focus of past presidents and other officers. Several files contain information about Club efforts to conserve land. For example, information about the Town of Longmeadow’s purchase of Gasek farm in the Meadows is in files kept by Judith Williams. The Club contributed $7,500 to the purchase price (1993). Kathy Conway’s files provide background on use of the Rachael Phelps Fund to support the preservation of land that provides critical habitat for nesting and migrating birds and other wildlife (2003-2005). Colleen Withgott provided testimony at a public meeting of the MA Water Resources Authority about the Connecticut River Alternative. Withgott’s view was that the ecological consequences of skimming off the “excess” flood waters had not been fully considered (1986).
In addition, there is information about the Club’s efforts to raise awareness about hunting and the impact of lead shot. A copy of a letter written by Club secretary June Osgood notes that lead shot has proven to be the cause of many bird deaths. She urged the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to consider a more aggressive stance on its policy, noting that “a total ban on lead shot is not unrealistic” (1986). Diane Puff expressed opposition to the MA Senate Bill 994 that allowed for the hunting of migratory waterfowl on Sundays (1988).
Other files document the educational efforts of Officers. Helen Bates shared information about plantings to support birds. She was a student of Fannie Stebbins who inspired her interest in nature. Another file contains Seth Kellogg’s “Birds of the Air” column for The Republican (2010-2012). Included in the papers of Ernest Yates is information about the National Audubon Screen Tour films shown to members during the early 1950s. Finally, there is a financial analysis of the Wildlife Film Series and the reasons for its decline in profits (1995). The analysis was prepared by Grace Fleming.
In addition, biographical information for Fannie Stebbins is contained in the Officers files. There are profiles of Ms. Stebbins, tributes following her death, and a recollection of her school days titled “District No. 7.” Her essay evidently was included in a booklet commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Glendale Church in North Wilbraham in 1943.
Among the files in the Artifacts and Memorabilia series are samples of an ABC circular patch embroidered with a goldfinch and ABC stationery with a drawing of a goldfinch. The History files contain writings by Ben Breitung (2002) and George Kingston (2011). Kingston’s “The Allen Bird Club: 100 Years Young” celebrates the Club’s centennial and includes a few images from the earliest days.
The Photographs were boxed separately from the paper records for conservation purposes. There are four folders of photos of meetings and activities arranged by decade and one other folder contains formal portraits of Fannie Stebbins (portrait with a sibling? about 1880; and about 1930). The oldest photograph in the decade group was taken on the steps of the Science Museum following a meeting of members of the New England Federation of Natural History. It is dated September 21, 1918 and Fannie Stebbins, Grace Pettis Johnson, Robert Sherwood (the upcoming president of the Club) and Reverend Herbert Thayer (the first president of the Club) are among the people who could be identified in the image. The meeting is described in the minutes for September 20-21, 1918. (SEE Organization Files.) Other photos document outings during the 1920s: a visit to Mrs. Nutting’s home in Hampden, a picnic at Mr. Carter’s cottage on River Road in Agawam, Mrs. Eldred’s trip at Forest Park, etc. Fannie Stebbins, Robert Sherwood and others are pictured wearing binoculars during a birding excursion in Amherst. A group portrait was taken following an outing in Forest Park, about 1930. The file for the 1960s contains a press release photo showing Richard Ballman (ABC President), Lawrence Debing (a past president) and Mrs. William Weise (Secretary of ABC) scanning for a snowy owl in Rockport (January 1960). The one other file contains three color snapshots taken during the annual picnic supper and discussion about plantings for birds held at the home of Moreton and Helen Bates on Plumtree Road in Springfield (September 1986).
The files of Printed Materials primarily consist of newsletters, programs and promotional materials. In addition, there is a helpful “Suggested Outline for the Observation of Birds” to aid beginners and members in bird identification (undated). It includes General Conditions (season, weather, migration, plumage, numbers), Habitat (water, ground, woods, etc.), Habits (characteristic movements, feeding, calls) and Nesting.
The Newsletter files span from 1930 to 1986 and contain samples of a few Club publications. Gladys Todd produced the Allen Bird Club Bulletin and two issues from 1935 are available. The Bulletin contains information about the Audubon Bird Census (December 1934) and sightings by Fannie Stebbins, Robert Sherwood and others. Some spring migrants appeared ahead of schedule following an unusually strong wind at the Agawam Meadows according to a review of sightings on March 16, 1935. Bluebirds, a Black-crowned Night Heron, Meadowlarks, Fox and Savannah Sparrows, and two Sparrow Hawks (kestrels) were among the birds observed.
Three sample newsletters from the 1950s contain program information and general news. These are the Newsletter, later edited by Jim Crowe (November 1951 and January 1952), News Droppings by Goldie Finch, Assoc. Editor (February 1952) and The Worm: The Monthly Grumblings from the Gizzard of ABC by A. Bryck Mason, Assoc. Editor (March 1952).
Several local birds clubs joined together to share information in the Pioneer Valley Bird News, including ABC, the Eliot Bird Club (Amherst), the Holyoke Bird Club, the Hoffman Bird Club (Pittsfield), and the Norman Bird Club (Greenfield). One issue (September 1960) is available and then-president Moreton Bates reported Club news. There are several pages of highlights of sightings from around the region: a Painted Redstart was reported in Conway (May 17th), a Virginia Rail nest with eight eggs was observed in East Forest Park and a Red-breasted Nuthatch was found nesting in Forest Park, etc. The issue includes lists of field trips and meetings from around the region. The newsletter continued as the Bird News of Western MA and a few issues are available (1966, 1971-72, 1981, 1985-86).
The Bird News of Western MA contains a trove of information. For example, in addition to highlights of sightings and regional programs, the September-October 1971 issue provides a tabular view of breeding bird counts for several locations 1967-1971, including Cheshire, Pittsfield, Cummington, Chesterfield, Belchertown and more. In addition, there is analysis of the change in the sightings of warblers at North Quabbin in Spring 1971, a composite chart of eight western MA breeding bird counts focusing on the relative abundance of warblers 1969-1971, and an analysis of the nesting success of gnatcatchers in Hardwick, New Salem and Dana (near Petersham). Seth Kellogg described sightings of birds at Lake Congamond while the “eye” of Hurricane Gloria was overhead in an article in the Winter 1986 issue and Colleen Withgott recalled a “remarkable” flock of 98 Red-throated Loons that stopped over at Barton’s Cove in autumn 1971. The issue also includes Kellogg’s detailed analysis of the Fall Hawkwatch observed at several locations, Mt Tom, Hancock, Deerfield, Granville and elsewhere.
A key record in the Archives is its Program which contains a wide variety of information about the Club, its history and activities. The available programs span 1918/19-2022/23 and are arranged by decade. (The program for 1959/60 is missing.) The original title, Field Trips, reflects the purpose of the booklet when it was initially published for the 1918 season. The name quickly changed to Meetings and Field Trips as more information was added. The 1963/64 booklet includes program information for the Stebbins Wildlife Refuge and a list of members was added in 1967/68. Finally, the name of the booklet became Program in 1969/70. Field Trip reports were included for the seasons spanning 1998/99-2017/18.
The promotional materials consist of two files: an undated brochure with general information about the Club and a map of the Stebbins Wildlife Refuge (about 1975) and a “Join Us!” business card with the Club website address and a quote by William Blake, “The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.”
The Reference files have been subdivided into four categories of records: ABC Publicity, People, Subjects, and Other Organizations. The Publicity files consist of clippings spanning 1912-2009 (with gaps). The clippings shed light on the earliest days of ABC. In addition, they provided information about walks and field trips, programs, officer elections, anniversaries, bird counts, education efforts, advocacy and other activities. In some cases the clippings document events and activities for which no other records are available. For example, a clipping for January 10, 1912 in the Springfield Republican notes the organization of a bird study club and another clipping notes a vote to name the Club the Allen Bird Club to honor ornithologist Dr. Joel Allen (February 21, 1912, Springfield Republican). Another clipping reveals the Club’s early activism: “The Club voted to send a letter to Senator H.C. Lodge asking him to support the McLean Bill providing government protection for migratory birds.” (January 7, 1913, Springfield Daily News.)
Club efforts to establish a wildlife sanctuary to honor Fannie Stebbins are noted in clippings dating 1949-1951. A clipping from November 15, 1979 provides an overview of the Club’s ambitious project to purchase and conserve land in the Longmeadow Flats. (SEE the files for the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge for more information about the Refuge.) The Club’s leadership role in the fight against aerial spraying of insecticide for mosquito control is noted in a clipping dated May 12, 1964.
One file comprises the People category and it contains biographical information for Joel A. Allen, the namesake of the Club. Among the Subject files are several blank Daily Field Cards for the Springfield Region (1950s), an undated clipping describing an idea to aid reforestation (issuing seed packets with hunting licenses), and an undated blank waiver of liability. The largest group of Subject files pertains to bird-related information. Among the files are article reprints from the Commission of Conservation (Canada), the Emergency Conservation Committee (Davis Quinn, Secy.) and other sources. In addition, there are clippings about rare bird sightings, conservation efforts, poems about birds and more. For example, Robert O. Morris wrote about spring migration in the Connecticut River Valley in a letter to the editor of The Republican (April 11, 1921). Other clippings document the extinction of Heath Hen on Martha’s Vineyard (1932), the abolition of the State Division of Ornithology despite profits garnered from the sale of “Birds of Massachusetts” (1933), and the local search for an African Tawny Eagle that had been raised in captivity (1972). The eagle’s release from Laughing Brook Sanctuary was unauthorized.
Documents and publications from a wide-variety of organizations and bird clubs are contained in the Other Organizations Reference files. For example, the file for the American Birding Association contains an undated code of ethics, the file for Massachusetts Audubon Society holds an undated check list for birds and the file for the Hampshire Bird Club contains a sample field trip policy and release form (1988). In addition, there are magazines, reports and article reprints for several organizations including the Cooper Ornithological Club (1930s), the Essex County Ornithological Club (1922, 1932-1936, 1937/38) and The Federation of Bird Clubs of New England (1934).
The records pertaining to the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge form a separate group of records. These records broadly consist of organizational records, documents related to conservation efforts, land acquisitions, land use, maps, officers’ papers, a few photographs and reference clippings. The First Annual Report of the Refuge (1951) describes ABC’s efforts to establish a bird sanctuary in the Longmeadow Flats. The effort was prompted by the rapid destruction of the natural habitat of the area. The Club realized that soon one of the few “excellent” birding areas would be lost. A Sanctuary Committee was formed in 1950, parcels were surveyed and a name was adopted commemorating Fannie Stebbins who encouraged and advanced nature study in the Springfield Schools and was instrumental in the founding of Club. Sixty-two years later, the complicated process of exploring options for the future of the Refuge is detailed in the papers of Janet Orcutt.
A wide-variety of records document the Club’s efforts to establish and maintain a refuge in the Longmeadow Flats. The key series includes Organizational Records, Conservation-related Records, Land-related Records and Officers’ Papers. There are references to the content of other categories of records in the series descriptions below.
Documents in the Organizational Records shed light on the earliest days of the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge and the corporation set up to manage it. The purpose of the corporation is stated in the Articles of Agreement: “To further the dissemination of knowledge of wildlife and to own and operate areas where wildlife can be preserved for study by this and future generations” (August 16, 1951). A few months later the purpose of the Refuge was reconsidered. According to minutes of the Development Committee, the primary purpose was “conservation of the habitat” and the secondary purpose was “education and research, making use of effective conservation of habitat” (January 1, 1952). A series of next steps also was indicated, including mapping the Refuge and distinctly marking its boundaries; planning for access areas, trails, and parking; undertaking inventories of soil types, vegetation, birds, mammals, and an aquatic survey. The Development Committee also recommended establishment of a committee to coordinate research and education efforts.
Other files contain minutes and reports, by-laws, policies and lists of officers. The available minutes span 5/1951-1970, 1983-1987 and 2012-2013. The minutes and reports detail the expansion of the Refuge property over time, finances, trail building, census efforts and botanical research, efforts to reestablish wildflowers native to the area, planting trees, the construction of a bridge over a swampy section of Raspberry Brook, wildflower walks, bird banding demonstrations, and more. There is information, too, about the challenges faced due to land taken by the state highway department, rights-of-way, and the Algonquin Pipeline. There are other challenges, too, including trail maintenance, flooding, vandalism and trash removal. Eventually rules of prohibited activities were posted in key places at the Refuge. (SEE the Rules file for examples.)
Fast forward sixty-one years. On April 29, 2012, a notice is sent to ABC members concerning the establishment of a committee to explore options for the Refuge. Sixteen months later, in September 2013, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution to become part of Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. A press release announcing the transfer can be found in the Events and Activities files. It is dated October 30, 2013. Additional information about the options for the Refuge can be found in the papers of Janet Orcutt in the Officers and Trustees files.
A final meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on January 22, 2014. Its purpose was to review the status of the transfer and to formally reconstitute the corporation as the Friends of Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge.
A variety of plans and recommendations comprise the Conservation Records, including reports by the US Department of Agriculture, Hampden Conservation District, the MA Department of Environmental Management and the MA Department of Fisheries. The files hold an analysis of soils and recommendations for a woody planting program (1959-1960), a soil and conservation plan and site report (1985-1987), an inventory of plants in the area (1986-1987) and recommendations for a forest stewardship program (1995-1997). The latter recommendations contain information about threatened and endangered wetland species. More information about the plants found in various locations and the endangered plants in the Refuge can be found in the Flora files and in the records of the Flower Planting Committee. (SEE Organizational files for the 1960s.)
The Land-related Records contain information about acquisitions, dispositions and land use. A list and map provides a helpful overview of sixteen land purchases between 1951 and 1977. In addition, the files contain correspondence regarding negotiations to purchase land as well as property reports and correspondence from Peter Meltzer who served as the Club’s real estate agent during the 1950s. The one file of Land Dispositions concerns the sale of Refuge land in Enfield, CT in 1972. Information in the Land Use files spans several decades and includes documents related to the Algonquin Gas Transmission Company, the Lane Construction Company, the Relocation of Rt. 5 (1950s), Western MA Electric Co. (1960s and 1980s), and the digging for Indian artifacts (1960s). Also see the Legal files for lists of deeds conveying land to the Refuge, leases allowing use of land for a wildlife sanctuary, as well as deeds related to the removal of top soil, an easement with Algonquin Gas Transmission Company and agreements with the Lane Construction Corporation. The lists are part of a record of the contents of a safe deposit box kept by the Refuge, prepared September 19, 1967.
Arranged alphabetically by name, the Officers and Trustees files contain wide-ranging information about the status of the Refuge. Records kept by Moreton Bates reveal his advocacy for the Refuge and the environment. Bates wrote to the Federal Power Commission objecting to the construction of a dam and hydroelectric plant at the Enfield Rapids which would raise the level of water in the Connecticut River and flood the Refuge (1969). He wrote to the MA Department of Public Health urging abolition of all persistent pesticides, e.g. DDT and Dieldrin (1969), and to the MA Dept of Public Works concerning the proposed construction of a rest stop on Rt. 91 in Longmeadow and its impact on the Refuge (1973). He also wrote a letter to the editor of the Springfield Daily News expressing opposition to a plan for aerial spraying of mosquitoes in the City (1973). In addition, there is a letter from three Notre Dame High School teachers thanking Mr. and Mrs. Bates for a tour of the Refuge on a cold, rainy morning (1975). His files also contain notes for meetings, letters to write, etc. (1963, 1967-1970).
Mable Potter’s files shed light on efforts to plant wildflowers in the Refuge. There is a file of notes, some based on her reading of George Aiken’s Pioneering with Wildflowers (1935) and conversations with people and organizations. There are suggestions for wildflower gardens, lists of plants and information about how to plant them. A letter from Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary details the challenges of transplanting native wildflowers, e.g., soil types, sun, shade, etc. (1962). Additional information about transplanting wildflowers can be found in the Reference files. (SEE the New England Wildflower Society folder for an article on this topic by Mrs. Lucien Taylor, President of the Society, and Barbara B. Paine, February 4, 1962, Boston Sunday Globe.)
In a letter to the New England Wildflower Preservation Society, Ms. Potter inquired about the possibility of having the Refuge listed as an associated area so that it would be available to members of the Society. She also described the first wildflower walk at the Refuge, attended by 30 people who observed some rare ferns (Royal, Marsh, Rattlesnake and Leathery Grape). Turtlehead and Closed Gentian were blooming and American Chestnut and several Sassafras trees were observed on the bluff. Mable Potter’s walk was on September 23, 1962 and her letter was dated November 12, 1962. (The Society approved the request and a sign noting the association was posted at the Refuge.) Additional information about Potter’s Wildflower Walk along the Fern Trail and elsewhere can be found in the Events and Activities Files. The Events and Activities files contain information about a wide variety of nature walks. The walks focus on spring flowers, summer insects, aquatic insects, reptiles and more. There also is information about bird walks and bird banding demonstrations as well as educational handouts about plants growing along the train tracks, and butterflies, moths and bullfrogs. Other information about plantings along the Fern Trail and the Knoll Trail can be found in a “Self-Guiding Nature Trail” booklet (about 1969). (SEE Publications Files.)
The challenges to planting wildflowers also are documented in the papers of Raymond Longley. In a letter to the Building Commissioner of the Town of Longmeadow, Longley noted that Zoning By-laws prevent removing topsoil, but the law is not enforced in the low-lands west of Rt. 91 (the lands adjacent to the Refuge). Longley urged establishment of a policy concerning this issue, but received no reply (1961). A letter from the New England Wildflower Preservation Society details the effort it will take to restore seriously stripped soil: “Every leaf and rotting stump or log will have to be left to decay on the floor of your woodland.” (May 24, 1962)
The efforts of Officers and Trustees, Club members and volunteers led to recognition of the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge as a National Landmark by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, in 1972. Details of this effort led by Moreton Bates, President of the Refuge, and press coverage can be found in the Honors and Recognition file.
Additional information about the evolution of the Refuge can be found in the History files. The files include a presentation by Mable Potter, “Early History of the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge,” dated June 24th, 1961. Moreton Bates and Ben Breitung also wrote histories of the Refuge (1972 and 1983). Other files contain an undated and incomplete history of the Meadows and the results of the archeological survey (about 1983). Additional background about the Refuge and its namesake, Fannie Stebbins, can be found in an brochure prepared by Ellis Pritchard (about 1970). An image of Fannie Stebbins is 1918 is on the cover. (SEE Publications.)
Finally, the Reference files provide a broad-brush overview of the activities and accomplishments of the Club and its Refuge project. There is information about the initiation of the bird sanctuary project and its naming, the filing of incorporation papers and efforts to raise funds in the publicity file for the 1950s. In addition, the publicity file for the 1950s contains clippings about bird sightings (70 White Egrets, rare in 1953) and a New Year’s Day count that reported observation of 30 Pine Siskins (January 2, 1955, Springfield Republican). Included in the publicity files for the 1960s and 1970s are clippings about nature walks and tours. Additionally, during the 1970s and 1980s, there are articles about the history and evolution of the Refuge. Fewer articles are available for subsequent years, though one article, dated April 15, 1999, focuses on a pressing issue, “Clean-up Day at the Fannie Stebbins Refuge” (Longmeadow News). Other Reference files focus on the Longmeadow Conservation Commission, the Meadows, and the New England Wildflower Society.
Prepared by: Deborah Shea, November 2023
Box 1 -- Organizational Records, includes
Meetings
Minutes, 1916-5/1950
Sanctuary Committee, 5/1950-3/1951
Box 2 -- Organizational Records, includes
Meetings (continued)
Minutes, 10/1950-2013 (with gaps)
Officers' lists
Procedural Records (Constitution, Rules, By-Laws, etc.)
Box 3 -- Announcements and Mailings to Members, 1951-2022
Bird-related Records (counts, field trips, etc.), 1913-2003
Events, 1923-1989
Box 4 -- Events (continued), 1990-2012
Financial Records (annual financial reports, donations, Rachael Phelps Fund, Tower Fund, etc.)
Honors and Recognition
Membership [lists, 1918/19-1946 (with gaps), etc.]
Officers’ Papers (Bates - Conway)
Box 5 -- Officers’ Papers (continued, Eaton – Yates)
Box 6 -- Artifacts and Memorabilia
History
Printed Materials, includes
Outline
Newsletters
Programs, 1918-1999/2000
Box 7 -- Printed Materials, continued
Programs, 2000/2010-2022/23
Promotional Materials
Reference, includes
ABC Publicity, 1912-2023
People
Subjects
Box 8 -- (half-size box)
Reference, continued
Other Organizations
Box 9 -- (half-size box)
Photographs
ABC [By Decade, 1918-1986; People (Fannie Stebbins)]
Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge (aerial photos, events)
Box 1 -- Pioneer Valley Bird News, 1960
Bird News of Western Massachusetts, 1961-1975
Box 2 -- Bird News of Western Massachusetts, 1976-1993
Box 3-- (half-size box)
Bird News of Western Massachusetts, 1994-1997
The Wild Canary, 1998-2000
Box 1 -- Organizational Records 1951-2014, includes agreements of association, minutes, by-laws, etc.
Conservation
Events and Activities
Box 2 -- Financial Records
Flora
History
Honors and Recognition
Land-related Records (land acquisitions, land dispositions, land use)
Legal
Maps
Officers and Trustees (Bates-Longley)
Box 3 -- Officers and Trustees (Orcutt – Withgott)
Trails
Artifacts and Memorabilia
Publications
Reference
Rules
Friends of Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge
Box 1 -- Biographical Files
Subject Files and Correspondence
Writings
Reference, MA Audubon Society, 1970s
Box 2 -- (half-size box)
Reference, MA Audubon Society, 1980s
Prepared by: Deborah Shea, 3/25/2023, revised 7/24/2024
1910s, Minutes, 1916-5/1920, includes minutes for regular meetings, executive committee meetings, and the annual meeting; the president’s report (1916), membership statistics (1919) and various annual reports (four folders)
1920s, Minutes, 6/1920-5/1929, includes minutes for regular meetings, executive committee meetings, annual meeting and annual reports (the annual report for 1924 is missing pages), and the president’s report for 1928 (eight folders)
1920s-1930s, Minutes, 9/1929-5/1931, includes minutes for regular meetings, the annual business meeting (1930); and annual reports for 1930 and 1931
1930s, Minutes, 5/1931-5/1938, includes minutes for annual meetings, executive committee and regular meetings; and annual reports (bound record book)
1930s-1940s, Minutes, 5/1938-4/1945, includes minutes for regular meetings, reports for annual meetings annual reports and a Christmas party report as well as a few clippings, 1944/45. A card with membership statistics is undated (bound record book)
1940s, Minutes, 5/1945-5/1950, includes minutes for regular meetings, the annual business meeting, and reports (two folders)
1950s
Committees, Sanctuary Committee, 5/1950-3/1951 [includes a report, Robert Edward’s undated notes for a talk about the “sanctuary project” and the Longmeadow Flats proposition)
Minutes, 10/1950-5/1960, includes minutes for regular meetings, meetings of the executive board, annual business meetings, and annual reports (four folders)
1960s, Minutes, 6/1960-5/1970, includes minutes for regular meetings, meetings of the executive board, annual business meetings, and the president’s report for 1969 (three folders)
1970s, Minutes, 6/1970-12/1978, includes minutes for regular meetings, meetings of the executive board, and annual business meetings (three folders)
1980s, Minutes, 12/1982-3/1989, executive committee meeting agenda, minutes, announcements, notices; includes correspondence concerning an offer of property in East Longmeadow, 6/1986
1990s, Minutes and the agenda for meetings of the executive committee, 6/1991 -5/1993; order of meeting 1993/94
2000s, Minutes, 6/30/2003, minutes and agenda for a meeting of the executive committee
2010s
Minutes, 7/2011 and 7/2012, meetings of the executive committee
Minutes, 2012-2013, for joint meetings of the ABC and Stebbins Executive Committees to review recommendations of Stebbins Advisory Committee re. future of FSMWR (SEE: FSMWR, Officers/Trustees, Orcutt, Janet, for related files)
1921/22, 1950/51 and 1969/70
Constitution (one handwritten by Effie Wilcox, ABC Secretary and a “copy”), undated [1912?]
Constitution, undated [1918?]
Rules of Organization, adopted 2/1945
Manual and By-Laws, 1956 (with edits)
Rules, 5/16/1968
Manual and By-Laws, 1985 (includes club history and list of ABC presidents)
Rules and By-Laws, amended 1983 (with edits) and 3/2/1987
Constitution and By-Laws, 1999 and undated
1950s, “Dear Member” letter from the ABC president: Ernest Yates, 1951
1960s
“Dear ABC Members” letter from the ABC president: Helen C. Bates, 1964
Press Release, 1/1960, scanning for a snowy owl, Straitsmouth Neck, Rockport, MA (L-R: Mrs. William Weise ABC Secretary, Richard Ballman ABC President and Lawrence Debing a past president of ABC), SEE Photographs, 1960s for image
1970s, “Dear Friends” letters from the ABC president: Seth Kellogg, 1979
1980s, “Dear Friends” letters from ABC presidents: Tom Tyning, Bill Platenik, Coleen Withgott, Diane Puff and Howard Schwartz, 1981-1989
1990s, Dear Members and Friends letters from ABC presidents: Howard Schwartz, Judith Bryan Williams, Nancy Eaton, Janis LaPointe and Patrick McMahon, 1990-1995, 1998-1999
2000s, “Dear Fellow Members” letter from the ABC president: Myles Conway, 2008
2010s, “Hello Fellow Club Members” letters and a notice (establishment of a committee to explore options for the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge) from ABC president Janet Orcutt, 2011-2012; “Dear ABC Members” letter from Mark Richardson re. business agenda for 10/7/2013 meeting (discussion of Board approved plan to transfer ownership of FSMWR to the US Dept of the Interior/Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge)
2020s, “Dear Fellow Club Members” letter from ABC president: Bill Platenik, 2022. Also notice from the executive committee cancelling regular meetings for the 2021/22 season because of the risk of COVID infections
1910s
“Nesting Habits of Birds of the Trees, Woods and Air,” undated [1913? Handwritten, text for a “chat”]
Birds of Springfield, MA and Vicinity, compiled by Grace Pettis Johnson and based on ten years of observation, Springfield Museum of Natural History, 1916 (booklet, fragile condition)
Field Trips, 1917-5/1920, Annual Reports with information about bird sightings
1920s
Field Trips, 9/1920-5/1927, Annual Reports with information about bird sightings
Field Trips, 5/30-6/1/1924, Saybrook, CT, sighting list (67 species)
1930s
Field Trips, Fall 1931-Spring 1932, Report of the Field Trip Committee
1940s
Birds of Springfield, MA and Vicinity, compiled by Grace Pettis Johnson, Springfield Museum of Natural History, 1946 (seventh edition of booklet)
Counts and Censuses, 1-12/1943 bird sightings by date (handwritten list)
Counts and Censuses, 1949, Annual Spring Bird Census (booklet, two copies)
1950s
Counts and Censuses, 1950, Annual Spring Bird Census (159 species, a new record) (booklet, two copies)
Counts and Censuses, 1951
Blunt Park, Daily Field Cards, 5/6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27/1951
Carlisle Woods, Daily Field Cards, 5/4, 13, 25/1951
Longmeadow, Forest Park, etc., Daily Field Cards, 4/21/1951, 5/12, 15/1951
Mittineague Park, Daily Field Card and lists, 5/6, 9, 15, 19, 27/1951
Robinson State Park, Daily Field Cards, 5/6, 10, 12-13, 16, 20, 23, 27/1951
Suffield Village, Daily Field Cards, 4/24/1951; 5/5-20, 28/1951
Counts and Censuses, 1953, Longmeadow Flats, Daily Field Card, 5/23/1953
Counts and Censuses, 1955-56, ABC mid-winter bird census overviews (clippings)
Field Trips:
7/1/1950, Mt. Greylock, Daily Field Card (72 species)
6/10/1950, Quabbin, Cook’s Canyon and Harvard Forest, Daily Field Card (55 species)
1/20/1951, Cape Ann, includes Daily Field Card, bird list, notes, expenses, etc.
3/31/1951, Glastonbury, CT, Daily Field Card
Spring 1951, Annual Report of the Field Trip Committee (1950/51)
7/28-29/1951, White Mountains, sighting list (64 species)
10/14-15/1951, Ludlow Reservoir, Quabbin, etc., Daily Field Cards and list
Fall 1953- Spring 1954, Annual Report of the Field Trip Committee (pages missing)
1960s
Bluebird houses, list of locations and quantity, request for help to check boxes, 1962
Counts and Censuses
1961, Mt. Tom, Hawk Migration data, 9/16-17/1961 (Margaret Blake, leader)
1965-1966, Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse Census, reported in the Mass Audubon Society’s Records of New England Birds, includes background (ABC initiated the census in 1963 following observation of increasing numbers of Northern Cardinals and Tufted Titmice nesting in Massachusetts. Prior to 1957, these birds were considered rare. Audubon’s New Hampshire Chapter began tracking these birds in 1967. Their census continues as the “Backyard Winter Bird Survey.”)
Field Trip, 6/24/1961, Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge, list of birds seen and heard and list of attendees
1970s
Counts and Censuses, 1976, migration information for common and uncommon breeding and transient birds; statistics for rare birds (sightings before 1936 and after 1945.) In addition, the year of initial sighting is provided for some rare birds.
1980s
MA Audubon Bird-A-Thon at Laughing Brook, the ABC team reported 149 species, 5/1986
1990s
Counts and Censuses
1990, Breeding Census Checklist for Westhampton, includes data 1986-90
1991-92, Christmas Counts (and map)
2000s
Field Trips, 6/2003, clipping with species counts, including Camping on Mt. Greylock (6/13-14/2003, 54 species) and a Bike Trip along the Westfield River (6/15/2003, 53 species)
Misc.
Monk Parakeets in Taunton, MA, map, undated
Quizzes, undated
Recipe for suet (Edward’s recipe, 1955?)
1920s, Annual meeting notices (for paid and unpaid members), 5/1923
1930s
5/10/1937, 25th Anniversary Celebration, The Homestead, Ludlow (clipping with photo of past and present presidents of ABC)
1950s
3/1952, Western MA Flower Show, Eastern States Exposition, ABC and Springfield College joint exhibitors [includes instructions, hand-out re. DDT (“Who Killed Cock Robin?”), suggestions and comments recorded by booth attendants, “Can you see color?” re. display, etc 1950s (continued)
3/1-6/1953, Western MA Flower Show, Eastern States Exposition, ABC and Springfield College joint exhibitors (includes correspondence, booth requirements, instructions for booth attendants, exhibit information with descriptions for birds on display, information about Fannie Stebbins Refuge, suggestions and comments recorded by booth attendants, clipping, etc.)
1960s, “Allen Bird Club Opens 50th Season,” clipping (with photo of past presidents and a charter member), [9/12/1961]
1970s
Annual meetings and banquets, agenda and reservation forms, 1977-1979
Programs, Wildlife Series, Duggan Junior High School, sponsored by ABC and Laughing Brook Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1975/76 and 1978/79 (tickets with lists of lectures)
1980s
Annual meeting and banquet, invitations, menus, agenda, 1981-1989
Programs, Outdoor Film Adventures, Duggan Junior High School, sponsored by ABC and Laughing Brook Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1982-1989 (with gaps; two folders, includes mailings to ABC members and tickets. Grace Fleming was Chair of the Outdoor Film Series)
1986-1987, 75th Anniversary, congratulatory correspondence and clippings
11/12/1988, MA Audubon Wildlife Futures Conference, ABC a co-sponsor and a donor
11/18/1989, First Annual Massachusetts Birding Meeting, Laughing Brook, Hampden, program (ABC and Hampshire Bird Club of Amherst, co-hosts)
1990s
Annual meeting and banquet, invitations, menus, 1991 and 1998
Programs for club events (news releases for meeting speakers), 1991
Programs, Outdoor Film Adventures, Duggan Junior High School, sponsored by ABC and Laughing Brook Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1990/91-1994/95 (two folders, includes brochures, tickets, mailings to ABC members and friends, and background materials. Grace Fleming was Chair of the Outdoor Film Series)
6/3/1991, invitation to “Join the Flock” for the beginning of the 1991-92 season
2000s, 90th Anniversary (clipping, includes background on establishment and expansion of Stebbins), 10/19/2002
2010s
2011/12, schedule of programs for monthly meetings
2012, 100th Anniversary, Nobel View and Trip to New York City, includes planning, proclamation and clippings
1910s, Annual Financial Reports, 1918/19-1919/20, includes overview of expenditures
1920s, Annual Reports of the Treasurer, 1920/21-1924/25 with detailed information about receipts and disbursements
1930s, Annual Reports of the Treasurer, 1936/37
1950s, Annual Financial Reports, 1950, 1958-1959; suggested budget for 1950-1951; monthly reports for 1954, 1957-1959 (with gaps)
1960s, Annual Financial Report, 1961/62
1970s, Monthly Reports, 4/1971 and 3-4/1979
1980s, Annual Financial Reports, 1982/83-1989/90; monthly reports, 1982-5/1990 (with gaps)
1990s, Annual Financial Report, 1992/93; monthly reports, 1990-1994 (with gaps)
2000s, Annual Financial Report, 2004/2005
Donations, 1931, 1938, 1946, 1982, 1986-1987, 1993-94
Donations/Bequests to ABC, 1986-1987
IRS 501 (c) (3) determination, 1987 (includes background)
Rachel Phelps Fund, correspondence re. contributions, 2004-2005 [includes: $17,000 to the Town of Southwick/Open Space Committee (toward purchase of the Swanson Property near Goose Pond Wildlife Area) and $25,000 to Minnechaug Land Trust (toward saving Rice Fruit Farm in Wilbraham).] Also clipping about Rachael Phelps, 1967 (Phelps was a founding member of the Allen Bird Club)
Tower Fund, contributions (list), 1950
Massachusetts Audubon Society, Audubon “A” Conservation Award, presented to ABC, 12/11/1967 (clipping; The City of Springfield also received a conservation award “for being the first municipality to assign full-time paid personnel to its commission.” Ben Breitung was chairman of the commission.)
Dues notices (a sample), 1940, 1951/52, 1987-1989 and 2011/12
Lists
1918/19-1922/23, alphabetical list of members (fragile)
1930s, alphabetical list of members, undated
1932-1933, alphabetical list of members, handwritten and typescript versions
1933-1934, alphabetical list of members
1934-1935, alphabetical list of members, includes new members (fragile)
1945-1946, alphabetical list of members, includes statistics (240 members as of May 20, 1946) (fragile)
Bates, Helen
Biographical, 2002, includes tribute written by Seth Kellogg for his "Birds of the Air" column (4/14/2002, Sunday Republican)
Schedule for FOCUS: OUTDOORS Conference (includes class on “Planting to Attract Birds” taught by Bates, 1975); thank you note for gift of “minigarden” 1973
Bates, Helen and Moreton, Awards and Honors, “Environmentalist of the Year,” The Naturalist Club of Springfield, 10/18/1983 (clipping with photo)
Bates, Moreton
Biographical, 1963, 1995, includes reference to appointment as Springfield co-chairman for National Wildlife Week, March 17-23, 1963, and obituary (1995)
Writing, "Birders Go South," The Bulletin of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 1957
Breitung, Ben, clipping re. “100” count with note, 1956; notice re. death written by Seth Kellogg, 11/2013
Conway, Kathy
Correspondence, misc., 1999, 2004-2005, includes correspondence from Ben Breitung concerning the refuge policy of naming trails and tracts of land after people, increasing club membership and participation in activities, etc.
ABC Membership brochure, drafts, 2003 (final not available)
Bird Finding Guide to Western Massachusetts, misc. correspondence, 2003 (Kathy Conway was an author. Several other ABC members were authors, including Miles Conway, John Hutchison, Seth Kellogg, Noreen Mole, Mary Alice Wilson and Janice Zepko)
Connecticut River Birding Trail, meeting minutes, vision statement, background, 2003 (KC, a member of the Steering Committee)
Rachael Phelps Fund, donations to Minnechaug Land Trust ($25,000 toward purchase of Rice Fruit Farm in Wilbraham) and to the Town of Southwick/Open Space Committee ($17,000 to support acquisition of mixed woodlands and wetlands near the Goose Pond Wildlife Area), includes press release, correspondence, report of the Phelps Committee, clippings and background, 2003-2005
Conway, Myles, Correspondence, misc., includes correspondence from Ben Breitung re. decline of club membership and ideas, etc., 2004, 2007-2008
Eaton, Nancy
Meetings, notes for regular and executive meetings, 1992-1993
Meeting “Call to Order” notes, By-laws notes, new standing committee for publications, 1994
Membership directory, programs, miscellaneous correspondence (includes letters from Ben Breitung), 1993
Program planning, 1991-1994
Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, correspondence re. abuses at refuge, 1993
State birds list, undated
Fleming, Grace, Wildlife Film Series, financial analysis, includes evaluation and reasons for decline in profits, misc. correspondence, 1986/87-1995
Hyde, J. Edward
“Arcadia on the Oxbow,” a film produced by JEH, presented at Massachusetts Audubon Society Annual Meeting, 1/24/1953 (program)
Writing, “Longmeadow Nature Refuge Displays Beauty of Season,” clipping, 3/28/1954
Ingalls, Edna, writing, “Wildlife in Oklahoma” (hand-written), includes observations by Edna and her husband, 1/6/1930
Kellogg, Seth
Biographical, profile, “A Connecticut Birder,” Sanctuary magazine, 10/1984
Bird News of Western Massachusetts, notice to contributors re. change in publication schedule, etc., 1985 (Kellogg was editor of the publication)
“Falcon ‘warning’ unfounded,” Springfield Union (written by Kellogg, vice chairman of the Hawk Migration Assoc. of North America, in response to a Letter by Evelyn Bessette), 1/29/1989 (clipping)
MA Audubon Society's First Annual Massachusetts Birders' Meeting, ABC a co-host, S. K. a speaker, 11/18/1989, Laughing Brook (program)
Writings, “Birds of the Air,” articles about birds for The Republican, a sampling, includes a tribute to Helen Bates (4/14/2002), 2002, 2010-2012
LaPointe, Janis
"Welcome to the Allen Bird Club," whimsical draft note card created expressly for ABC members, 1995
“Are you secretly watching birds? You can find help. Look inside!” handout created by JL for ABC, 1997
Dzielenski, Edward, letter of commendation for work with FSMWR, 3/16/1998 (file copy, Ed Dzielensky was president of the FSMWR Board of Trustees)
Orcutt, Janet
Planning for ABC meeting, 9/2011 (includes draft agenda and Robert’s Rules of Order)
Congratulatory letter on becoming president, from Ben Breitung (includes background on annual banquet), 2012
Osgood, June (ABC Secretary), Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, corres. re. ruffed grouse and hunting; use of lead shot, 1986
Puff, Diane
House Bill 994, correspondence re. ABC opposition to the hunting of migratory ducks on Sundays in MA, 1988-1989
Quabbin and Ware River Watershed, correspondence re. access policy, 1988
Richardson, Mark, notes from an executive committee meeting, 2013-2015 (the notes are comments and observations from attendees)
Stebbins, Fannie
Biographical, 1931, 1948-49, 1970 and 2001 [includes misc. clippings, obituary (1949) and profiles from a brochure (copy) about the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge (1970) and a history of the refuge (2001)]
Nature Guide School and Fannie A. Stebbins Scholarship, 1938 (includes copy of FS letter to the “School People of Springfield”)
Nature Guides, suggestions for walks, 1927 (includes “A Walk To One Of The Most Charming Waterfalls In Springfield” and “A Walk To Flagg’s Hill”)
Profile, Fannie Adele Stebbins 1858-1949, a biographical sketch by Dorthea Clark (pamphlet, two copies), 5/1958 (two folders. The second folder contains background materials collected by Ms. Clark. Also an article reprint from a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Dec. 1925, kept by Ms. Stebbins and annotated.
Tributes, 1949
Writings, “District No. 7,” recollections of school days in North Wilbraham, undated. Possibly prepared for the 75th Anniversary of Glendale Church, 11/25-12/5/1943 (includes notes from her obituary, 7/2/1949)
Tompkins, William, Holyoke Museum of Natural History and Art, invitation to advise about forming a local bird club, 3/18/1954
Tyning, Thomas, Fannie Stebbins Refuge, thank you letter from The Naturalists Club and offer to help with clean-up, 1982
Williams, Judith
Gasek Farm, acquisition by the Town of Longmeadow, Quitclaim Deed, Conservation Restriction and correspondence re. ABC contribution, 1992-1993, includes background, 1986-1987
Honorary Membership, correspondence re. B. Breitung’s election to HM, includes thank you letter from BB, etc., 1990-1993
Withgott, Coleen
Land in East Longmeadow conditionally accepted for a refuge (clipping), 6/29/1986 [10 acres of land behind the supermarket on North Main Street)
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, public hearing concerning the diversion of the Connecticut River, 1986-1987 (includes CW’s testimony concerning ecological consequences and program)
Misc. correspondence, 1985-1986
Yates, Ernest
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, misc. correspondence with Edward Mason, 1951-1952 (includes reference to film produced by J. Edward Hyde, “Arcadia on the Oxbow”)
Bird Sightings, includes comments by Samuel Eliot on ABC May bird censuses, 1951-1953
Correspondence, misc., 1951-1953 (includes correspondence with John Brainerd/Springfield College about stimulating interest in conservation, etc.; Theodore Geisel, Superintendent of the Dept. of Public Parks, seeking support for renovation of the zoological division, etc.
DDT, includes draft letter to be sent to garden clubs re. use of DDT to control Japanese beetles, about 1951 (includes clippings, “Who Killed Cock Robin?” handout. Letter drafted by Helen Avery.)
Donation, correspondence with Ruth Sturgis re. gift honoring her aunt (Ruth Bangs, a friend of Fannie Stebbins), 1951-1952
Field Trips, planning and publicity efforts, 1951-1953
International Committee for Bird Preservation, Pan-American Section, solicitations, 1951-53 (ABC a contributor?)
Newsletters, misc. correspondence re. Heads and Tales and The Worm, etc., 1952-1953
Program Planning
1950-1951, includes correspondence with presenters and the National Audubon Society, and schedule
1951-1952, includes correspondence with presenters and the National Audubon Society, and schedule
1952-1953, includes correspondence with presenters and the National Audubon Society, and planning for 1954
Publicity efforts, correspondence with Mass. Audubon Society about ABC programs and field trips, 1951-1953
Smith, Jesse, misc. correspondence, includes reference to bridge over Raspberry Brook at Stebbins (built by Ernest Thompson and Marshall Seymour of Boy Scout Troop 160, 1953), bird sightings, etc., 1951-1953
ABC embroidered patch with goldfinch, undated [1980s] (two patches)
ABC pin with goldfinch, undated [1980s]
ABC stencil (circular), undated
Scrapbook of historical documents and photos, 1915-1980s (copy)
Stationery (sample with goldfinch drawing) and envelopes, 1986?
“Club History” with list of past presidents, 1912-1985
“The Allen Bird Club” by Ben Breitung, prepared with the assistance of Seth Kellogg for the 90th Anniversary, includes a list of the founders of the club, 8/2002
“The Allen Bird Club: 100 Years Young” by George Kingston, 2011 (booklet, inscribed to Janet Orcutt)
1918-1920s, Group Portraits, following a meeting of members of the NE Federation of Natural History, taken on the steps of the Science Museum (9/21/1918); Field Trips to Amherst, Forest Park and elsewhere, gatherings at Mr. Carter’s cottage in Agawam and Mrs. Nuttings in Hampden, etc. (b&w snapshots, includes images of Fannie Stebbins, Grace Pettis Johnson, Robert and Fanny Sherwood, Rev. Herbert Thayer, A.P. Ames Carter, and Alice Eldred)
1930s, Group portrait, Forest Park, about 1930
1940s, Field trip, location unknown, 1940s (two snapshots)
1960s, Press Release, 1/1960, scanning for a snowy owl, Straitsmouth Neck, Rockport, MA (L-R: Mrs. William Weise ABC Secretary, Richard Ballman ABC President and Lawrence Debing a past president of ABC, 8”x10” B&W photo)
1980s, Annual Picnic Supper and Discussion about plantings to attract birds, at Bates’s home, 1341 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA, 9/6/1986 (three color snapshots with identifications)
Stebbins, Fannie, formal portraits, undated (includes photo with unidentified male, a sibling? Forbes & Wallace photo, mounted 1880s; and a portrait by Harts, photographer, about 1930)
“Suggested Outline for the Observation of Birds,” undated (three copies)
1930s, Allen Bird Club Bulletin, 1935 (two issues, prepared by Gladys C. Todd)
1950s
Newsletter, 11/1951 and 1/1952 (two issues, prepared by Ernest Yates and Jim Crowe, editor)
News Droppings, 2/1952 (one issue, Goldie Finch, associate editor)
The Worm: The Monthly Grumblings of the Gizzard of ABC, 3/1952 (one issue, A. Bryck Mason, associate editor)
1960s, Pioneer Valley Bird News (published by bird clubs in Western MA), 9/1960 (one issue; continued as Bird News of Western Massachusetts. SEE separate collection of Publications for other issues of the Pioneer Valley Bird News and a nearly complete set of the Bird News of Western Massachusetts.)
1970s, Bird News of Western Massachusetts, 1971-1972 (two issues. Includes tabular view of breeding bird counts in Western MA, 1967-1972. SEE separate collection of Publications for full set.)
1980s, Bird News of Western Massachusetts, 1981, 1985-1986 (four issues. Continued as a quarterly publication 1985/1986. Published until 1997. SEE separate collection for nearly complete set of the publication.)
1918-1919-1999/2000 (9 folders, arranged by decade. Incomplete. The program for 1959/60 is missing.)
[Initially titled Field Trips (1918-1919), the booklet was renamed twice. It continued as Meetings and Field Trips (autumn 1919-1968/69) and then Program in 1969/70. ABC began use of the “gold finch on thistle” sketch on the cover in 1955/56. Other birds decorate the cover of the booklet in previous years. The 1963/64 booklet includes program information for the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge and a list of members was added in 1967/68. Field Trip reports were included for the seasons spanning 1998/99-2017/18.]
Programs, 2001/2010-2021/2022-2022/23 (3 folders, arranged by decade)
Promotional Materials
Brochure, Allen Bird Club, Springfield, MA, undated [1975?]
“Join Us!” card (business-style card with quote by William Blake and the ABC website address), undated [2000s?]
1910s, misc. clippings re. formation of a “bird study club,” elections and field trips, and advocacy, 1912-1913, 1915-1919, includes reference to Grace Pettis Johnson’s report at the Annual Meeting of the City Library. Johnson, curator or the Museum of Natural History, notes formation of a bird club in her remarks (6/6/1912). Another clipping notes that the club voted to send a letter to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge asking him to support the McLean Bill providing government protection for migratory birds (1913), and a letter To the Editor of The Republican concerning children damaging birds’ nests (7/2/1918)
1920s, misc. clippings re. meetings, speakers (e.g., Arthur Wilson), field trips and bird sightings, etc., 1921-1929, includes reference to sighting a Blue Grosbeak at a backyard feeder in Springfield, a first for the area (1922) and support for establishment of islands sanctuaries along the MA coast (1925) and a hundred questions about birds, prepared by L.O. Ingalls, assistant curator at the Museum of Natural History and president of ABC, for a contest for students interested in birds (1927)
1930s, clipping about the sighting of a Carolina Wren in Springfield, about 1939
1940s, misc. clippings about programs, effort to establish a wildlife sanctuary to honor Fannie Stebbins, 1940-1945, 1949
1950s, misc. clippings 1950-1956, 1959, includes articles about programs, the achievement of a "100" count by several avid birders (1956), Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge naming and fundraising, and the 1955-56 bird census, etc. SEE: FSMWR, Reference for additional clippings about the refuge.
1960s, misc. clippings, 1961-1968, includes articles about the opening of ABC’s 50th season (1961), the election of officers (1961) background on the founding and naming of ABC, the annual "100 count", the Audubon Day Bird Census, the impact of DDT and the development of once-swampy areas (1961, ABC’s leadership role in the fight against aerial spraying of insecticide (1964), and a nature walk (1968)
1970s, misc. clippings, includes reference to birds spotted during a winter walk in Forest Park (1972), the Christmas Bird Count (1978), and ABC’s ambitious project to purchase and conserve land in the Longmeadow Flats (11/15/1979)
1980s, misc. clippings, 1983-1989, includes articles about the annual Christmas Bird Count (1983 and 1986); an ABC bird watching expedition led by Seth Kellogg with photos of Kellogg, Colleen Withgott, Al Salk and group photo of participants (1986); and an interview with Colleen Withgott about the Christmas Count and ABC (1989), etc.
1990s, misc. clippings, includes information about club activities (1991) and the Christmas Bird Count (12/29/1996)
2000s, misc. clippings, 2002-2009 (with gaps), includes "Bird club flying high after 90 years" (John Hutchison pictured, includes background on the FSMWR and its expansion, construction of Rt. 91, etc., 10/19/2002), Janet Orcutt presenting “Birding 101” for a nature series at the Wilbraham Public Library (4/21/2004) and getting ready for the Yule count (12/18/2008)
2020s, clipping re. donation of ABC Archives to the Museum of the City of Springfield (11/19/2023)
Allen, Joel, profile, misc. clippings (an honor, re. home in Springfield (941 Allen Street) and gravestone (Wachogue Cemetery), 1975-2012 and undated
Annual Meeting and Banquet, planning, no date
Birds
1870s-1890s
Clippings, misc. The oldest clippings in the collection document an effort raise funds for and build houses for English sparrows (10/22/1874 – 12/31/1880). By 1886, the natural history society, following some animated discussion, declared the English sparrow a “nuisance” (clipping, 4/24/1886). Other clippings record bird observations, including those by William W. Colburn and Robert O. Morris (5/23/1888).
1900s
Clippings, misc., includes several clippings about Grace Pettis, assistant curator of the Museum of Natural History, and her efforts to record information about the arrival of birds in Springfield (4/17/1901, 4/1/1903, 4/16/1906). The Museum published her research in 1907 (3/19/1907). The clippings include statistics for bird arrivals such as the bluebird, fox sparrow, kingfisher, osprey and northern flicker.
1910s
Clippings, misc., includes commentary on poetry about birds by Aston Hemphill, VP of the Holyoke Bird Club (1919?), and “The Going of the Birds,” letter To the Editor of The Republican by Robert O. Morris (8/27/1919)
“Bird Conservation in Labrador,” Commission of Conservation, Canada, 1916 (article reprint)
American Ornithologists’ Union Checklist of North American Birds, 17th Supplement, 1916 (a joke)
1920s
Clippings, misc., includes a letter To the Editor of The Republican by Robert O. Morris about spring migration (4/11/1921), reference to a rare visit by a Blue Grosbeak (5/1922), bird pests (the English sparrow) feeding on insects prove to be effective aids to farmers (1922), establishment of a sanctuary in Medford (1926), arrival dates for birds (robins, bluebirds, black ducks and grackles, 1929), etc.
“‘Framing’ The Birds of Prey” (“vermin” killing) by Davis Quinn, 12/1929
1930s
Clippings, misc., includes reference to sighting of rare Dovekie in Western MA following storm (1932), extinction of Heath Hen on Martha’s Vineyard (1932), rare birds in Springfield (Barn Owl) and New Salem (northern form of the Pileated Woodpecker (1932), a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in West Springfield, taken as specimen for museum (1933), abolition of State Division of Ornithology despite profit on sale of the Birds of Massachusetts (1933), etc.
“The US Biological Survey: Destruction, not Scientific Investigation and Conservation, now its Chief Activity” by Davis Quinn, secy, The Emergency Conservation Committee, 5/1930
“Compromised Conservation: Can the Audubon Society Explain?” by Irving Brant, The Emergency Conservation Committee, 10/1930
1940s, misc. clippings, includes annual bird census in Forest Park (57 birds sighted, 1944), chickadee named state bird (undated clipping)
1950s, misc. clippings, includes review of winter bird census (59 species sighted, 1/1955)
1966, clipping re. bird sightings, including an influx of Evening Grosbeaks, considered rare in the vicinity of Nutley and other areas of NJ until the 1940s
1972, clipping re. the local search for an African Tawny Eagle that had been raised in captivity. The release from Laughing Brook Sanctuary was unauthorized.
1980s, misc. clippings, includes articles about the Quaboag Bird Conservation Foundation in Ware (1983), local nature photographers (1984-85), contributions by residents to a special Nongame Wildlife Fund listed on the MA state income tax form (1988), a young Bald Eagle found near death on the Irish Coast, nursed back to health, returned to the US and eventually released at Quabbin (1988), design and installation of a nest tray on Monarch Place for a pair of Peregrine Falcons (1989), etc.
Conservation, issuing seed packets with hunting licenses to aid reforestation, undated
Daily Field Card for the Springfield Region, 1950s (blank cards)
Display for Audubon Week count at Robinson State Park, includes reference to Christmas Census and Spring Count, models, undated
President’s Calendar, mailing list for news releases, 1989
Rare Bird Alert, telephone trees, undated [1980s-1990s]
Rules of Order for conducting a meeting (Robert’s Rules of Order), 2011, SEE Officers, Orcutt, Janet in this list.
Waiver of Liability, undated
American Birding Assoc., Code of Ethics, undated
Audubon Society of Rhode Island, application for membership and background on Kimball Bird Sanctuary, no date [1930s]
Cooper Ornithological Club, The Condor (magazine, a bi-monthly magazine of western ornithology), misc. articles 1931 and 1933, and one issue, 5-6/1933 (includes “Egg-laying Record of a Captive Mourning Dove,” 7/1931 and a review of German nature books, 3/1933)
Essex County Ornithological Club
Bulletin, 1922 (with note, some pages cut and missing)
Bulletin, 1932- 1936, 1937/38 (two folders)
The Federation of Bird Clubs of New England: “A Record of its First Ten Years” by Francis Allen, 1934 (ABC a member) , 1932- 1936, 1937/38 (two folders)
Hampshire Bird Club, Field Trip Policy and Release Form, 1988
Hartford Bird Study Group, Program, 1931/32 (includes a field meeting with ABC at the Trailside Museum in Forest Park)
Massachusetts Audubon Society, check list of birds, undated
National Audubon Society, ABC membership application, 1953 (unsigned, includes names of officers, number of members, dues, publications)
New England Federation of Natural History Societies, Reports, 1928 (ABC mentioned in the Annual Meeting Report)
Prepared by: Deborah Shea, March 2023
Committees, Development Committee, minutes (purpose of refuge, boundaries, etc.), 1952
Agreement of Association, meeting minutes and by-laws, 8/16/1951 (signed originals as well as two copies of the Commonwealth of MA proclamation establishing the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge, Inc. (FSMWR), 9/28/1951; also draft constitution and by-laws and related correspondence)
Bylaws, 1951, 1957 (with edits), 12/13/1959 (as amended)
Committees, Research and Education, comments re. policies for refuge, etc., 1952-1953
Committees, Solicitation of Contributions from present and retired school teachers, solicitation letter, 1953
Meeting Minutes, annual reports, etc., 5/1951-1959/60 (includes first annual report with information about the origin of the refuge, 5/1951)
Bylaws with proposed amendments, 4/1/1968 (includes comments prepared for annual meeting, 5/13/1968)
Committees, Flower Planning (Planting) Committee, overview of meetings, spring 1962; lists of spring, summer and fall flowers, ferns, shrubs and trees prepared to facilitate future plantings, 1969
Minutes, committee reports, and annual reports, 1960-1967, 1969/1970, includes correspondence re. accounting practices and duties of the treasurer and draft motion for consideration of the board (two folders)
Bylaws, 10/15/1970 and 7/19/1973 (includes compilation of references to by-laws found in FSMWR meeting minutes, 1952-1970)
Trustees, officers and terms, 1952-1970 (chart on cardboard)
Trustees list, 1973-1974
Bylaws, as amended 10/21/1982; Statement of Purpose and Activities (list of allowed and prohibited activities, rules and regulations for Longmeadow Conservation Land, etc.), 1983
Minutes, agenda and related correspondence, 1983-1987; annual report, 1987
Trustees lists, 1983/84-1986/87
Annual Report, 5/1993, Secretary’s Report, 1994
By-laws, amended, 1/5/1999
Trustees list, 1993
Annual Report, 5/7/2007
Board of Trustees list, 5/6/2013
Establishment of a study committee to explore options for the refuge, 2012
Meetings of ABC and Stebbins Executive Committees, 2012-2013, to review recommendations of Stebbins Advisory Committee re. future of FSMWR (minutes, Also SEE: FSMWR, Officers/Trustees, Orcutt, Janet, for related files)
Meeting, 9/17/2013, Board of Trustees Special Meeting, includes resolution to become part of US Dept of the Interior/Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (unsigned)
Meeting, 1/22/2014, includes agenda for final meeting of the Board of Trustees and background (name change to “Friends of Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, Inc., draft list of trustees, draft by-laws)
1960s, “Soils on your Farm” list and capabilities, includes map, agreement, related correspondence, and recommendations for next steps for borrow pit east of RR tracks and woody planting program, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Hampden Conservation District, 1959-1961
1980s
Managing property for improved wildlife habitat and income from sale of medium grade cord wood, recommendations from Mike Parker, State Forester, undated
“Effects of Water Level Manipulation on Wildlife Habitat,” Associated Environmental Scientists, Inc., 1985
Muskrat Project, Buttonbush Control, Bruce Kindseth reports, 1985-1986
Soil and Water Conservation Plan and site report, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Hampden Conservation District, 1985-1987
The Peninsula and Sherwood Section, suggestions for maintenance, 1986
“An Action Plan for the Urban Reach of the Connecticut River: Rediscovering the River,” MA Department of Environmental Management, 9/1987 (draft)
Damming of Raspberry Brook to create a wetland marsh, inventory of plant life in the area, prepared by James Cavanaugh, 1986, and related correspondence, 1987
1990s, Forest Stewardship Plan, recommendations, prepared by the MA Division of Forests & Parks, 1995, Also a review by the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1997
2000s, Management of exotic invasive plant species (species list, objectives, proposed management plan, funding needs), undated [2006?]
1960s
Programs, 1966/67-1969 (includes nature walks and bird banding demonstrations. Also handouts pertaining to plants, birds, butterflies, spiders, etc., and press release for a nature walk)
1/23/1962, Tenth Anniversary, combined meeting with ABC and the Longmeadow Men’s Club (summary and clipping)
9/23/1962, Flower Walk, summary prepared by Mabel Potter with information about plants found along various trails and in the vicinity of the RR tracks (an American chestnut tree was among the observations)
1963, New England Wildflower Preservation Society, tour of the Refuge
1970s
Programs, 1970-1976/77 (with gaps, includes nature walks, e.g., mosses and liverworts, spring arrivals, wildflowers and poisonous plants, animal tracks, aquatic insects, nature photography, geology, mushrooms. Also number of attendees for a few walks, lists of flowers in bloom, a thank you not from the Town of Longmeadow, etc.)
10/19/1975, Nature Walk led by Marge Sackett, doctoral student in Botany, Smith College (handout with brief natural history of CT River Floodplain and lists of species common along the Meadow Rd and along the Big Elm Trail and correspondence)
2000s, 50th Anniversary of creation of FSMWR (clipping), 2001
2010s, Transfer of ownership of the FSMWR to Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (announcement, press release, clipping), 10-11/2013
Annual Reports of the Treasurer, 1951-1959; 1960-67, 1969; 1970, 1975; 1987; 1997; 2001, 2005, 2007; and 2013
Annual Report (IRS Form 990-AR), 1973
Donations, 1940, 1953-1967, 1971-1972
Fundraising, mailings to members of ABC and Friend of the Meadows, 1994
Lists of plants found in various locations in the Refuge, 1961-1966 (includes note re. the transplanting of 1,000 trees in spring 1961 to slow erosion)
Lists of threatened and endangered plants (and endangered animals and species of special concern), prepared by MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1995; also clipping about the short-nose sturgeon (on the endangered list), 1983
1960-1961, “Early History of Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge” by Mabel Potter (two versions)
1972, “Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge, Inc.” by Moreton Bates
1983, “The Meadows – History” and “The Archeological Survey Results” and appendix (cover page missing), 1983?
2001, “History of the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge”
2001, “Stebbins Refuge Early Years” by Ben Breitung (draft)
2004, “History of The Meadows and The Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge” by Tongias (with comments, “contains many many errors, but still a good read”)
1972, FSMWR designated a National Environmental Education Landmark
2003, FSMWR recognized as a Important Bird Area by MASS Audubon, includes correspondence regarding nomination by George Kingston and list of sites
List and Map, 1951-1977
1950s, Property reports and correspondence (Peter Meltzer prepared the reports and served as ABC’s real estate agent), 1950-1958
1960s, Correspondence re. negotiations, acquisitions, etc. (Strople, Barnard/split with WMEC, Radasch, Bonavita and Shea properties), 1961-1970
1970s, offer to purchase land, 1975; clipping re. donation of six acres (from Judge Norman Snow), 1976
1970s, sale of land in Enfield, CT, includes clippings re. offer of land to the Town of Enfield (declined), 1972 (SEE Legal files for rationale)
Algonquin Gas Transmission Company, 1959-1960, includes receipts for payments for damages and related correspondence; also a draft release for cleanup
Lane Construction Company, 1958-1960, includes correspondence and a map related to the grading of a lot west of the RR, abutting the CT State Line.
Relocation of Rt. 5, 1957-1958, includes correspondence with MA Dept. of Public Works, clipping, land damage agreement and related correspondence, etc.
Misc. Requests (net baiting, declined), 1958
Removal of loam/top soil, 1963-1969
New England Telephone, burying of cable along Pondside Road (notes), 1960s
Town of Longmeadow, use of pond for ice skating, 1963-1964
Western MA Electric Co., misc. correspondence re. easements and transmission lines, seedlings and tree plantings, proposed installation of transmission lines over the CT River, etc., 1962-1969
Misc. Requests (digging for Indian artifacts, permission for the CT Valley Hunt Club to conduct a drag hunt), 1967-1969
Western MA Electric Co., license to use land and map, 1981
Misc. Requests (permission to mow and keep hay), 1981
2000s, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, relocation of corrosion test wires (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife determination re. the ‘take’ of threatened plants), 2007
Contents of Safe Deposit Box list (includes insurance policies, deeds conveying land to refuge, misc. documents, etc.) 1967
Discontinuance of a portion of Pondside Road, 1963
Effort to become a tax exempt corporation in CT, 1963-1964
1940s, Longmeadow zoning map, 5/1942
1950s, rough map (59 acres owned and 49 acres leased), 5/1952 revision; hand-drawn map on FSMWR letterhead, about 1953
1960s
Map by Robert T. Bitters, land surveyor, 5/1960
Maps by J.D. Grustina (various versions, including hand-colored versions showing Longmeadow Conservation Commission Land and the Stebbins Refuge), 12/1963 and updated version
1990s, updated map, 6/3/1999
Bates, Moreton
Correspondence, misc., 1959-1975
Connecticut River National Recreation Area, feasibility study background and progress report, correspondence, statement, etc., 1966-1968
Fidelity bonds, corres. re. Board resolution concerning the handling of funds and costs for fidelity bond coverage, 1967
Future Planning Committee, recommendations (notes), 1963
Holyoke Gas and Electric, proposed dam on CT River in Enfield, letter of objection and response, clipping, 1969
Interstate 91 Rest Area in Longmeadow, proposed construction, correspondence and clipping, 1973
Meeting Notes, 1967-1970 and undated
Pesticides and aerial spraying, includes letter to the Dept of Health urging the abolition of all persistent pesticides, 1969; and MB Letter to the Editor re. Springfield Health Commissioner’s decision to continue aerial spraying for mosquitoes, 1973
Trail Patrol schedule and letter from Ellis Pritchard re. vandalism, 1970 and undated
Brainerd, John
“The Need for Wildlife Management on School Grounds,” undated
By-laws, comments, 3/4/1957
Breitung, Ben, Proposal for a police firing range in the Longmeadow “Stump Dump,” clipping with BB quote expressing opposition, undated [1987?]
Dzielenski, Edward, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, permission to display refuge trail maps on www.connecticutriver.us, a website managed by PVPC, 2013
Edwards, Robert D., Financing for the Longmeadow Refuge, etc. (letter from Jesse. F. Smith, Suffield Academy), 2/7/1951
Longley, Raymond, Top Soil Removal, letter to the Longmeadow Building Commissioner urging establishment of a policy to refuse permits for soil removal, 1961; NE Wildflower Preservation Society, letter concerning stripped topsoil, etc., 1962
Orcutt, Janet
Conservation Restriction for FSMWR, planning for meeting with Jennifer Soper (DCR), 3/26/2012
Stebbins Advisory Committee
Legal ownership of FSMWR, email, includes options for refuge, list of original deeds with name of seller and approximate acreage (1951-1954) and date of easement to Algonquin Gas Co. (1959), 7/2012
Meeting, 6/20/2012, proposed agenda and members list
Meeting, 9/21/2012, presentation by Bob Wilbur/Mass Audubon (background)
Report, 9/2012, includes proposal by Mass Audubon (9/28/2012)
Meeting, 11/1/2012, minutes and background
Silvio O. Conte Refuge/US Fish and Wildlife, expression of interest in protecting FSMWR, 11/16/2012, includes background on Silvio O. Conte Refuge/ US Fish and Wildlife, legislated purpose and draft goals
ABC Executive Committee and Stebbins Executive Committee
Joint Meeting, 12/9/2012, to review Stebbins Advisory Committee recommendations for FSMWR (minutes, background and follow-up; decision to follow-up with Conte Refuge)
Joint Meeting, 1/8/2013, to discuss donation of FSMWR to Conte Refuge (minutes, background and follow-up; consensus reached to enter into talks with reps. of Conte Refuge regarding conveyance of FSMWR)
Stebbins Executive Committee
Meeting, 7/23/2013, to discuss donation agreement between FSMWR and US Dept. of the Interior (includes draft agreement and background)
Meeting, 9/17/2013, to discuss resolution to become part of Conte Refuge (includes unsigned resolution and background)
Meeting, 4/30/2014, agenda and background (includes assessment of Stebbins land; minutes not available)
Potter, Mable
Correspondence, Misc., 1962-1969, includes correspondence with the Mass Audubon Society about wildflower conservation, an association with the Society, etc.; the naming of the so-called “cutback” for Samuel A. Eliot (1965); NE Wildflower Society re. listing as an associated area and erection of a sign; and concerning aerial spraying for insect control (1965), etc.
Correspondence, Misc., 1970-1971, includes letter about FSMWR brochure written by Ellis Prichard, 1970, etc.
Wildflowers, notes concerning cultivation, undated
Withgott, Colleen, Enfield Conservation Commission, request for Commission to review hydrogeologic implications of a project near the FSMWR, 4/28/1988
naming of sections correspondence from Mildred Tyler to Mr. Thurston, undated [1960s]
Stationery (with map of Stebbins Refuge), 1950s
Stationery [with drawing of a Common Yellowthroat (geothlypis trichas)], 1960s-1990s
1952, Aerial photographs of FSMWR
1970s-1980s, color snapshots, includes a walk along the Fern Trail led by Mabel Potter for 5th grade student in Longmeadow (10/14/1970) and installing a sign at FSMWR (2/4/1986)
Brochure (with background on the establishment of the refuge and its naming. Image of Fannie Adele Stebbins, 1918 on cover), Ellis Prichard, author, no date [1970]
Directions and Trail Guide (descriptive handout), 1999
Trail Guide (for Fern and Knoll Trails), no date [1969] (three copies)
Reference
FSMWR Publicity
1950s, includes clippings about initiation of the bird sanctuary project and its naming, the filing of incorporation papers, the charter, and fundraising. Also a clipping about the sighting of 70 white egrets (rare in 1953) and a New Year’s Day count (30 pine siskins were observed.)
1960s, includes clippings re. field trips, nature walks and tours, bird banding, as well as clippings about land acquisitions (1960), the tenth anniversary of incorporation (6/1961), and digging for Indian artifacts (1969). In addition, there are clippings re. gifts of land in the vicinity of Bark Haul Road to the Longmeadow Conservation Commission (1966)
1970s, includes clippings re. nature walks, background on Fannie Stebbins and the evolution of the Stebbins Refuge (1970-1979, with gaps)
1980s, includes clippings about the history of the refuge (1985), the installations of a sign (1986), the thinning of trees, removal of diseased trees (1987)
1999, “Clean-up Day at the Fannie Stebbins Refuge” (4/15/1999)
Longmeadow Conservation Commission, misc. clippings, 1970-1988 (with gaps), includes clippings re. opposition to I-91 rest stop in along the Meadow Road (1979), the closing of roads in the Meadows (1979-1980), and the acquisition of a strip of land in the Connecticut River (1988)
The Meadows conservation land, misc. clippings, 1977, 1984-1986 and undated, includes photos by Mike Callaghan, George Finch, Ed Malley and Bette Quatrale. Some images appear to be the Stebbins Refuge.
New England Wildflower Society, misc. clippings and a flyer, 1962 and undated (includes information about how to transplant wildflowers, 1962)
Rules (lists of encouraged and prohibited activities, some with map), undated [1960s, 1983, and about 1986]
Organizational Records, Board of Directors, list, 2014
Publications, “Friends of Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, Inc.” (brochure), 2022?
Allen Bird Club
P.O. Box 1084
Springfield, MA 01101
Email: info@allenbirdclub.org
