Donald Orth geological survey photograph collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Donald Orth Geological Survey Photograph Collection, C0233, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet 1 box
Creator:
Orth, Donald J. (Donald John), 1954- and Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942
Abstract:
49 black and white copy photographs that document the exploration of the American West in the late 19th century.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Donald Orth Geological Survey Photograph Collection, C0233, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

49 black and white copy photographs that document the exploration of the American West in the late 19th century. The photographs appear to be reprints of the originals made in 1869-1874 except for the photographs of Niagara Falls and Washington, D.C. that appear to be original. The collection is arranged alphabetically by state with three exceptions: Niagara Falls, Portraits, and Unknown.

Biographical / historical:

This collection consists of photographs that originated from the United States Geological Society, with the majority taken by William Henry Jackson. Most of the photographs depict the American West, with notable photograph subjects like Yellowstone National Park and Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden, a geologist who served as the head of the United States Geological and Geographic Survey of the Territories in the late 19th century. Hayden, along with Jackson, were integral in documenting the landscape of the West and helping establish Yellowstone National Park. In addition to Jackson's photographs, there are photographs taken by John K. Hillers, who was also exploring the American West with Jhn Wesley Powell, particularly the Grand Canyon, around the same time. There are also photographs of Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian explorer and scientist, and his boat "Fram" which he used during his expedition to the Arctic in 1893.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Donald Orth on June 10, 2013.
Processing information:

Processing and EAD markup completed in November 2013 by Kerry Mitchell. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2020.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by state with three exceptions: Niagara Falls, Portraits, and Unknown.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard