Call Number:

2005.044

Repository:

Old York Road Historical Society

Extent:

18.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1914-1993 (inclusive)

Creator:

Wyncote Audubon Society.

Form:

Environmentalism

Abstract:

The Wyncote Audubon Society was founded in 1914 as the Wyncote Bird Club by Ernest Harold Baynes. Its goal was the preservation of birds and their environment; later, it took on the management of Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary and the preservation of Briar Bush Nature Center. The Club became a chapter of the National Audubon Society in 1968, and in 1977 it incorporated as the Wyncote Audubon Society. The Wyncote Audubon Society (Wyncote Bird Club) records, 1914-1993, include meeting minutes, financial records, membership records, activity files, several films, and other records of the organization.

The Wyncote Audubon Society was founded in 1914 as the Wyncote Bird Club by Ernest Harold Baynes. As part of the Bird Club movement of that period, its goal was the preservation of birds and their environment. The club founded its own library during World War II. In 1957, it was appointed by the National Audubon Society to manage Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary. The Club was also active in the preservation of Briar Bush (now Briar Bush Nature Center). The Club became a chapter of the National Audubon Society in 1968, and in 1977 it incorporated as the Wyncote Audubon Society.

Presidents of the Society during the period covered by these records include Louis E. Wheelock, Ernest Corts, Edward Hicks Parry, Florence Griscom, Elsie Acker, Henry C. Schwitzer, Ruth A. Zumeta, Luther Clement, and Leigh J. Altadonna.

This collection consists of the records of the Wyncote Audubon Society (Wyncote Bird Club), 1914-1993. Included are: Board of Directors/Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1949-1993, (1946-1949 are included with the 1931-1944 general meeting minutes) that record activities of the officers and committees, and include administrative issues, such as the Society's inclusion as a chapter into the National Audubon Society, its later incorporation, and the administration of Crosswicks and Briar Bush. The minutes also contain financial records, records of the club's activities and programs, and issues of national environmental concern.

Wyncote Audubon Society general meetings minutes, 1931-1957, record lectures, films, trips, and educational programs organized by the Society, financial and committee reports, and the Society's administration of Crosswicks Sanctuary and Briar Bush. They also include club members' participation in National Audubon Society activities, such as meetings and bird counts. The minutes also reflect the Society's interest in legislative issues affecting birds and the environment. There are notices for meetings, lectures, nature walks, and trips, 1933-1968, 1974, and undated. Some include extensive handwritten notes, presumably by Edward H. Parry.

The records include the 1932 constitution and by-laws and later undated versions.There is a long-term goals survey conducted by the Long-Range Planning Committee, 1986-1987.

Financial records include the Treasurer's book and other account books, 1914-1989, (4 volumes) financial statements, 1970-1994, and tax information, 1978-1996. They contain information about checking accounts, money market and other funds. They also include information about funds and bequests, specifically the Florence C. Griscom Fund, 1948-1963, John Dornan Bequest, 1978, and the William Zimmerman Bequest, 1980.

Membership records, 1960-1981, contain membership lists and general membership information. Individual member information includes correspondence from Leigh J. Altadonna, 1982-1986, Luther Clement, 1977-1978, Samuel G. Jones, 1979-1982, Milton Laden, 1982, Edward Hicks Parry, 1967, Bertram W. Zumeta, 1982 and Esther Heacock's biography by Edward Hicks Parry, 1977.

There are files relating to the Society’s activities, including its annual nature seminars, 1970-1991, bird counts, 1977-1993, and the Nature Photography Group, 1974-1981. There are files relating to Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Audubon Society and its regional offices. The Society’s yearbooks, 1977-1980, contain correspondence, reports, announcements, background material and is a complete record for the 3 ½ years that they cover. There is also a group of films, including film of Antarctica by John Dornan, 1974 (8 reels).

Following is a box list inventory of the collection:

BOX LISTS: Box 1: General meeting minutebooks, 1931-1957 (2 volumes), with list of charter members and Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1946-1949. Loose material removed. Box 2: Board of Directors minutes, 1949-1980. Box 3: Board of Directors, minutes, 1981-1993; Board of Directors, general, 1968, 1978-1986. Meeting notices, 1933-1968, 1974. Box 4: Constitution and By-laws, 1932, n.d.; Long-Range Planning Committee - members, minutes, survey, 1986-1987. Box 5: Treasurer's book and loose material, 1914-1946; Account books, 1946-1963, 1963-1978, 1978-1989; Financial statements, 1970-1973. Box 6: Financial statements, 1973-1979, 1988-1994. Box 7: Receipts and disbursements, 1975-1977, 1979-1981, 1984-1985; Invoices, 1978-1979, 1982. Box 8: Accountants, 1985; Treasurer - reports, worksheets, 1982-1989; Finance Committee, 1985-1989; Budget, 1988-1995; Taxes, 1978-1984, 1992-1996; Pennsylvania Charitable Organizations Registration, 1983-1994; Liability insurance, 1986, 1989. Box 9: Bills, miscellaneous, 1989-1996; Book and T-shirt sales, n.d.; Florence C. Griscom Fund, 1948-1963; John Dornan estate, 1978; William Zimmerman bequest, 1980. Box 10: The Reserve Fund, money market, 1980-1982; Vanguard, various funds 1989-1995; Western Saving Fund Society of Philadelphia, savings account, 1950-1969; Industrial Valley Bank and Trust Co., checking account, 1971-1977. Box 11: Industrial Valley Bank and Trust Co., checking account, 1977-1982. Box 12: FirsTrust Bank, checking account, 1985-1995; Meridian Bank, checking account, 1989-1994; Corestates Bank, checking account, 1995-1996; Discontinued bank accounts, 1985-1988; Cancelled checks and stubs, 1962-1973, 1977-1979, 1989-1991, 1993-1994. Box 13: Membership, general, n.d.; Membership book, 1963-1981; Membership list, 1960-1976; Correspondence - Leigh J. Altadonna, 1982-1986, Luther Clement, 1977-1978, Samuel G. Jones, 1979-1982, Milton Laden, 1982, Edward Hicks Parry, 1967, Bertram W. Zumeta, 1982; Esther Heacock biography, 1977. Box 14: General Activities - Annual dinners, 1988-1993; Hospitality records, 1978-1983; WHYY on-air campaign, 1983; Willow Grove Park Charity Expo, 1984. Education - Audubon Adventures, n.d.; Audubon Ark, 1984; Elementary school programs, 1978, Girl Scouts, 1973; Montgomery County Science Research Competition, 1982-1985; Reading list, n.d.; Scholarships and internships, n.d.; Student Conservation Association, n.d. Box 15: Activism - Conservation Committee, 1982-1985, 1989-1990; Correspondence and newsletters, 1988-1989; Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, 1983-1986; Clean Water Action, 1989-1992; Del-Aware Unlimited, Inc., 1981; Delaware Valley Citizen's Council for Clean Air, 1982; Delaware Valley Toxics Coalition, 1979-1981; Fluorescent lightbulbs sale, 1992; Pine Barrens, 1976-1981. Programs, 1960-1969, 1975. Box 16: Programs, 1976-1983; Programs - Schedules, n.d.; Correspondence, n.d.; Address book, n.d.; Lecture and film providers, n.d.; Individual lecturers, n.d.; Auditorium rental, 1979-1981. Box 17: Birding - Birdathon, 1988-1993; Breeding Bird Atlas Project, 1983-1986. Box 18: Birding - Christmas Bird Count, 1977, 1980-1986; Field Trips, 1978-1985; Bird I.D., n.d.; Bird checklist, n.d.; Bluebird Trail, n.d.; clippings, n.d. Box 19: Annual nature seminars, 1970-1981. Box 20: Annual nature seminars, 1982-1991. Box 21: Nature Photography Group, 1974-1981. Box 22: Nature Photography Group, photographs, n.d.; Briar Bush Nature Center, n.d.; Crosswicks - General, n.d.; History, n.d.; Deeds, n.d.; Topographical map, 1967; Transfer to Wyncote Audubon Society, 1992; Friends of Crosswicks, n.d.; Finances, 1991-1995; Eric Zucker Memorial, 1991; Special Area Project, 1993; Jean Seder, n.d. Box 23: Crosswicks - Brochures and photographs, n.d.; Articles, n.d.; Poster, n.d.; Mill Road Circle Estates conservation easement, n.d. Box 24: Publicity, n.d.; Press releases, 1984-1987; Clippings, 1982-1983, 1987, n.d.; Brochures, 1974-1992; Newsletters, 1968-1993; Newsletter masthead, 1979-1984; Stationery, n.d. Box 25: National Audubon Society - General, 1980-1982; Membership campaign, 1982; Annual reports, 1981, 1986; "Bird-Lore", 1934; Citizen Mobilization Campaign, 1981-1982; Garrison Diversion Unit, 1984; Osprey Reintroduction Program, 1981-1982; Chapter policy, n.d. Box 26: National Audubon Society - Chapter Incentive Campaign, n.d.; Chapter correspondence, 1987; Mid-Atlantic Regional Office - Correspondence, 1975-1984; Newsletters, 1978-1984; Certification reports, 1978-1982, 1986; Pennsylvania Audubon Council, 1974-1986; Pennsylvania Audubon societies, n.d.; Lacawac Sanctuary, n.d.; Mill Grove, n.d. Box 27: Wyncote Audubon Society history, n.d.; John Dornan Cornservation Award, 1987, 1989; Yearbooks, 1977. Box 28: Yearbooks, 1978-1980. Box 29: John Dornan Antarctica films, 1974. 8 reels. Box 30: Membership file cards, n.d. Box 31: Member identification cards, n.d.; Patches, n.d.; Rubber stamps, n.d.; Crosswicks slides, n.d. OVERSIZE Box 32: Abington Township Flood Plain Conservation District zoning map, 1973; Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary plot map, 1959; Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary and vicinity plot map by L. Scott Ranger, 1976. OVERSIZE Box 33: Scrapbook, 1967-1971; Printer's mock-up for 1983 annual nature seminar. OVERSIZE Box 34: Films - Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary; Esther Heacock, Gaspe Peninsula; Unidentified film.