Main content
Records of the American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program
Notifications
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 American Chemical Society established the National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program (NHCLP) in 1992 as a way of recognizing and honoring people and places that had a significant impact upon chemistry and the molecular sciences. Nominations are accepted and an Ad Hoc Committee meets to discuss and evaluate proposals. Achievements recognized include: Bakelite, Catalytic Cracking, Synthetic Rubber, Tagamet, Nylon, Antibiotics, Polymers, Fullerines and the Beckman pH Meter. Illustrious names so honored include Antoine Lavoisier, Joseph Priestley, Thomas Edison and Herman Staudinger. Since the mid-1990s, there has existed a parallel program to honor international sites of importance to the History of Chemistry.
Before prospective honorees are considered by the Ad Hoc Committee, they must be sponsored by a local ACS section, division, or committee and then approved by the ACS Board Committee on Public Affairs. All designated landmarks are presented an historical marker to the host organization and a commemorative booklet and webpage are published in honor of the achievement. Generally, the Ad Hoc Committee will designate three Landmarks per year.
Sources
Records of the American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"About the National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program," American Chemical Society, https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/about.html
The bulk of the Records of the American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program consist of Nominating Documents for various sites (not all of which were approved) and files of background materials relating to the sites or individuals nominated. These files consist of newspaper clippings, magazine tear-sheets and reprints of published papers. The remainder of the collection consists of files generated by the meetings of the NHCLP's Board Ad Hoc Committee, which reviewed the nominations and advised on them.
The records are arranged into the following four series:
- Subject Files
- National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program Board Ad Hoc Committee Meetings
- Arnold O. Beckman and Beckman Instruments - Background Materials
- Audio-Visual Materials
The Records of the American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program were found in the collection of the Science History Institute (formerly known as the Chemical Heritage Foundation).
The Records of the American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program were processed by Andrew Mangravite in 2016. This finding aid was revised by Birch Mezzaroba in May 2022.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Science History Institute Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid created by Andrew Mangravite and encoded into EAD by Birch Mezzaroba.
- Finding Aid Date
- 2016
- Access Restrictions
-
There are no restrictions on the materials and the collection is open to the public.
- Use Restrictions
-
The Science History Institute holds copyright to the Records of the American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program. The researcher assumes full responsibility for all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Collection Inventory
Arranged in its original order, this series contains nominating documents related to potential honorees. The materials contain information relating to the Landmarks and materials created to honor the approved Landmarks. The contents of these files consist of booklets, correspondence, and background materials.
Arranged in its original order, this series contains meeting materials from the NHCLP Board Ad Hoc Committee meetings. The contents of these files consist of meeting agendas, nomination documents, and a small amount of correspondence.
Arranged in its original order, this series contains material relating to Arnold O. Beckman and Beckman Instruments. The development of the Beckman pH Meter was designated as a Landmark by the NHCLP in 2004. The contents of these files consist of a variety of materials, including but not limited to, correspondence, articles, manuscripts, oral history transcripts, photocopied book pages, and miscellaneous printed materials.
Arranged in its original order, this series contains audio-visual materials concerning Landmarks. The contents of these files mainly consist of audio cassettes. One VHS videotape is also preserved here.