James Madison University: An Environmental History oral histories, 1929/2000

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #],James Madison University: An Environmental History oral histories, 1929-2000, SdArch 0027, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
xx cubic feet
Creator:
Dawson, Susan Elaine
Abstract:
The collection comprises five interviews as well as supplemental materials pertaining to the natural history of James Madison University's campus grounds. They cover the history and descriptions of the campus gardens, Black Run's stream, Newman Lake, and the CISAT campus.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #],James Madison University: An Environmental History oral histories, 1929-2000, SdArch 0027, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises five interviews as well as supplemental materials pertaining to the natural history of James Madison University's campus grounds. They cover the history and descriptions of the campus gardens, Black Run's stream, Newman Lake, and the CISAT campus.

Janet Smith, a public relationship specialist for James Madison University, discusses the layout of campus in 1977 and the new buildings that were erected in the years after. Mary Spitzer Etter talks about campus layout from the early 1930s and speaks to Professor George Chappelear's role in changing the landscape of campus with addition of most of the trees. Bruce Clemmons, and environmental engineer and James Madison University faculty member, talks about his environmental sustainability course that he taught at the university. Additionally, he shares insights on how JMU's campus compares to other universities he has attended and his own "guerilla action" wherein he, and students, planted a tree on campus without permission. Chip Horton, Director of Landscaping at the university, details the master landscape plans and furture restoration goals for the campus layout. He goes into detail about the various types of grass on campus and the specialized watering guidelines to maintain the landscape. Ronald E. Carrier, James Madison University President, talks about the evolution of the campus landscape during his time as president and he remarks on Newman Lake's various qualities and the installation of the fountain during the 1990s.

Biographical / historical:

The series of interviews were conducted as part of James Madison University's efforts to detail an environmental history of the campus since its founding 1908. This was done in preparation for the university's Centennial anniversary celebration that took place in 2008.

Acquisition information:
Background paper and supplemental documents were donated in September of 2000. By 2004, the transcripts and audiocassettes were also donated.
Processing information:

Collection was originally cataloged at the item level; the descriptive metadata was compiled into a finding aid format in 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Names:
Dawson, Susan Elaine