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Records of the Gordon Research Conferences
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Held at: Science History Institute Archives [Contact Us]315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Science History Institute Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The Gordon Research Conferences have been in operation since 1947 as a non-profit organization that arranges and administers scientific conferences. The conferences are named in honor of Neil E. Gordon whose idea they were. Gordon himself held "forerunner" conferences both at Johns Hopkins University (where he was then teaching) and on Gibson Island, a private resort island in the Chesapeake Bay. This later series of conferences was held under the aegisis of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and were known as A.A.A.S.-Gibson Island Conferences. The collection contains some material relating to these precursor conferences as well. One feature of the Gordon Research Conferences is their confidentially - all material, both formal presentations and informal discussions are always off-the-record. Consequently, the collection, while very rich in administrative documentation, is quite "thin" as regards its scientific content.
For a more detailed inventory, please view this record in our library catalog: https://othmerlib.sciencehistory.org/record=b1043271~S6
The collection more-or-less follows the original plan of the GRC archives. There is historical material, followed by administrative material of a general nature, then there are individual files generated by successive GRC Directors. These files are organized alphabetically by conference titles. Lastly there are files of conference programs, conference attendee list and conference evaluations. These are in strictly chronological, then alphabetical order.
Organized into 6 series. 1. Neil E. Gordon & the Gibson Island Conferences; 2. Administrative records - minutes of meetings (1946-1983); 3. Director's files (1940-1999); 4.Attendee lists (1947-1995); 5. Programs (1947-1995); 6. Conference evaluations (1958-1994)
The collection represents the surviving paper archives of the Gordon Research Conferences. Subsequent document will be created and archived digitally.
Dormant mold spores may have infected portions of this collection.
This collection was donated to CHF by the Gordon Research Conferences, Dr. Carlyle B. Storm, Director.
Source of acquisition--Gordon Research Conferences. Method of acquisition--gift;; Date of acquisition--2001..
Organization
Subject
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- Science History Institute Archives