Collection Timeline

1932 to 1953

1932
The program for the Tenth Annual Meeting of Iowa Ornithologists' Union, May 13-14, 1932, held in Des Moines. Includes schedule of events, names of presenters, and field trip information.

1933
Handwritten minutes for the Fairfield Bird Club from its founding at the Fairfield Public Library on March 2, 1933, through March 1943. The minutes were recorded by the person who held the office of secretary for the club for that year and provide an overview of what happened when the club met, including the locations of the meetings, guests who attended the meetings and subjects of the programs presented. Also includes programs as well as signatures and addresses of attendees of the annual Iowa Ornithologists' Union meetings that were held in Fairfield in 1933 and 1936. Also of note are several newspaper clippings highlighting the activities of the club.
The menu and program for a dinner given by the Fairfield Rotary Club to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union at its Eleventh Annual Meeting, May 5, 1933, held in Fairfield. Includes the officers of both the Iowa Ornithologists' Union and the Fairfield Bird Club as well as a poem written by Hiram Heaton.

1934
A radio script written by George O. Hendrickson for the Junior Academy of Science Radio Program and presented on WOI and WSUI explaining the usefulness of birds. Hendrickson describes how birds are very helpful in controlling destructive insects and harmful weeds. Also included are details on how certain birds are beneficial in acting as scavengers to destroy garbage and dead animal carcasses as well as assisting in the elimination of rodent pests. Hendrickson also mentions other values of birds are the use of birds as game and for food. Additionally, one more benefit of birds is the act of bird watching and the enjoyable study and observation of a variety of species in the state.
Letter from Mildrede Williams to members of the Fairfield Bird Club regarding her resignation as the club's president, August 27, 1934. Williams expresses gratitude to club members and her regret that she must resign as club president and will remain in Atlantic for the winter. Also included is a list of birds found in mythology.

1936
A report written by Wesley H. Bartlett describing the bird banding activities near Fairfield during 1936-1937. A total of 937 individual birds and 65 different species were banded, including 4 recently added species. Also of note are details on several other topics, including bird fatalities, the return of previously banded birds, and the type of traps used in banding activities. The report also contains two tables. The first one is a comparative table of bird banding activities of Parsons College from January 1931-April 1937 with species and counts listed. The second table is a banding activities summary for 1936-37 at Parsons College with species and counts listed.
The program for the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of Iowa Ornithologists' Union, May 8-9, 1936, held in Fairfield. Includes schedule of events, the officers of both the Iowa Ornithologists' Union and the Fairfield Bird Club as well as the committees for the meeting.

1937
A report written by Wesley H. Bartlett describing the history of bird banding, including a brief overview and timeline of the practice of banding started by Audubon in 1803. Also covered are the qualifications a person must meet to be a small bird banding station operator, details on the reporting of bird banding activities, descriptions of the birds banded and later captured (return, repeat, or foreign return), and the type of baits and traps to use in order to maintain safety for the birds. Also includes details on the count and species of birds banded at Parsons College.
A report written by Wesley H. Bartlett describing the bird banding activities near Fairfield during 1936-1937. A total of 937 individual birds and 65 different species were banded, including 4 recently added species. Also of note are details on several other topics, including bird fatalities, the return of previously banded birds, and the type of traps used in banding activities. The report also contains two tables. The first one is a comparative table of bird banding activities of Parsons College from January 1931-April 1937 with species and counts listed. The second table is a banding activities summary for 1936-37 at Parsons College with species and counts listed.

1940
A circular prepared to inform citizens of recreational and educational opportunities available at Lacey-Keosauqua Park. Highlights include an article on birds that kill to live, tips on avoiding poison ivy, a feature on getting to know your Hawks, and a column on various fish species at the park.

1943
Handwritten minutes for the Fairfield Bird Club covering the years 1943-1952. The minutes were recorded by the person who held the office of secretary for the club for that year and provide an overview of what happened what happened when the club met, including the locations of the meetings, guests who attended the meetings, subjects of the programs presented, and treasurer's reports.
Handwritten minutes for the Fairfield Bird Club from its founding at the Fairfield Public Library on March 2, 1933, through March 1943. The minutes were recorded by the person who held the office of secretary for the club for that year and provide an overview of what happened when the club met, including the locations of the meetings, guests who attended the meetings and subjects of the programs presented. Also includes programs as well as signatures and addresses of attendees of the annual Iowa Ornithologists' Union meetings that were held in Fairfield in 1933 and 1936. Also of note are several newspaper clippings highlighting the activities of the club.

1946
A flier with suggestions on how every Iowan should salute and celebrate Iowa's significant emblems in honor of the state's centennial year (1946). Bird Clubs and Audubon Societies throughout the state were encouraged to include in their programming a discussion of the American Goldfinch and how it became the state bird of Iowa. Also included is an itinerary from Jo Baumgartner used to salute the American Goldfinch at a program presented to the Fairfield Bird Club.

1952
Handwritten minutes for the Fairfield Bird Club covering the years 1943-1952. The minutes were recorded by the person who held the office of secretary for the club for that year and provide an overview of what happened what happened when the club met, including the locations of the meetings, guests who attended the meetings, subjects of the programs presented, and treasurer's reports.
A speech written by Margaret Herdliska for a presentation given to the Fairfield Bird Club on November 20, 1952. Included in the speech are reasons why winter is the best time to begin a study of birds as well as details of several species of permanent resident birds in Iowa, winter resident birds, and migrant birds that can be found in the state.
The 1952-1953 calendar for the Fairfield Bird Club. The calendar provides details on the opening meeting as well as the dates of future meetings. Also included are the names of the club officers for the year.

1953
The 1952-1953 calendar for the Fairfield Bird Club. The calendar provides details on the opening meeting as well as the dates of future meetings. Also included are the names of the club officers for the year.
The 1953-1954 calendar for the Fairfield Bird Club. The calendar provides details on the opening meeting as well as the dates of future meetings. Also included are the names of the club officers for the year.