Franklin Arthur Coffman Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS0419

Staff Only

Content Description

The Franklin Arthur Coffman Collection consists of several artifacts obtained in the Philippines, including tools, a musical instrument, and decorative pieces. There are also several projectile points (arrowheads and a spear point) that were found on USDA property in Beltsville, Maryland.

Dates

Creation: 1914-1916

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Biographical Sketch

Franklin A. Coffman (1892-1976) served as an agronomist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beltsville, Maryland research station from 1917 to 1962. Prior to this, he conducted research at the Agricultural Experiment Station in the Philippines from 1914 to 1916. Coffman focused his principle research on oats (Avena), especially in the areas of genetic improvement, taxonomic classification, and morphology. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in agronomy at Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State University). His papers are held at Kansas State University's Morse Department of Special Collections.

Total Size of Collection

2 boxes (2 folio boxes, 20.5 x 16.5 x 5.5; 1 unboxed broom, 16 x 42; 2 unboxed spears, 56.6 x 1 and 60 x 1)

10 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 3 unboxed items)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Materials Specific Details

The items consist of the following: metal knives, musical instrument, farm implement, wooden spear shafts, brooms, other artifacts labeled from the Philippines (2.25 inch clay pot, 1914-1916; 1 inch diameter coin; 0.75 inch diameter ring labeled "Silver ring bought from native of Mt. Tibe Luzon P.I. 1915"; 3.5 inch woven basket with lid filled with sea shells); and artifacts labeled from Beltsville, Maryland (4 arrowheads, longest is 1.5 inch, labeled "from our nursery P.I. Station Beltsville Md So Farm near gate"; and spearhead 3.25 inch, labeled "one small spear from oat nursery Beltsville, Md. P.I. Station F.A.C.").