U.S. Forest Service History Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS0185

Staff Only

Content Description

The U.S. Forest Service History Collection contains forester field notes, photographs, negatives, slides, films, videos, audio cassettes, albums, manuals, speeches, t-shirts, pins, oral histories, and other files related to U.S. Forest Service history.

Dates

Creation: 1890-1991
Creation: Majority of material found within 1940-1979

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Organizational History

In 1876, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that established the forest administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Franklin B. Hough was appointed as special agent to report on the condition of the forests and to recommend how to preserve them. The results of his study revealed that forests were beneficial to climate, streamflow, and soil, and that it was necessary to preserve and renew forests. By 1878, the forest administration became the Division of Forestry, and later the U.S. Forest Service. Gifford Pinchot was named chief of the U.S. Forest Service in 1898, and with his 11 employees popularized the concept of forest conservation.

Total Size of Collection

58 records_box

12 boxes (5 boxes, 24.75 x 20.75 x 1.5; 2 boxes, 22 x 15.25 x 2; 1 box, 14.75 x 19 x 3; 2 boxes, 8 x 12.5 x 5.5; 1 box, 12.25 x 11 x 8.75; 1 box, 2.5 x 10.25 x 12.25)

91.50 Linear Feet (70 boxes)