John Whalan George Mason University history 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:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

John Whalan George Mason University history collection, C0264, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
1 Linear Feet 2 boxes
Creator:
Whalan, John and Whalan, John
Abstract:
This collection documents George Mason student John Whalan's involvement in the Whig Society and the Herschel Observatory.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

John Whalan George Mason University history collection, C0264, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection documents John Whalan's involvement in the George Mason College/University Whig Society, as well as the creation of Herschel Observatory and its telescope. It includes correspondence, maps, notes, promotional materials, newsclippings, and photographs dating from 1967-1975. The collection also includes a retrospective essay by Whalan from 2005 on the history of the observatory and sketches of the telescope. There are also two bound volumes of handwritten notes from Whig Society meetings from 1966-1973.

Biographical / historical:

John Whalan was a biology student at George Mason College and George Mason University in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was active in the Whig Society and served as its president for a time. Additionally, he, along with several other classmates, was involved in the construction of the Herschel Observatory and telescope in the mid-1970s.

Acquisition information:
Donated by John Whalan before 2008.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Elizabeth Beckman in May 2015. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in May 2015. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in March and June 2023. Box inventory created by Madeline Puppos in June 2023.

Arrangement:

Materials are arranged by subject and format. Box one contains photos and loose papers. Box two contains record books in custom clamshell boxes.

Physical location:
R 50, C 5, S 6
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Astronomy
Names:
George Mason University
Whalan, John