Pendleton County (W. Va.) meteorological record books

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 not 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 #], Pendleton County (W. Va.) Meteorological Record Books, 1916-1957, SC 0394, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 cubic feet 2 bound volumes
Creator:
Keister, Elmer Lawrence, 1883-1946, Keister, Martha, 1908-1990, and Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Abstract:
Two bound meteorological record books documenting weather in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The record books were kept primarily by Elmer L. Keister (1883-1946) of Brandywine.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Pendleton County (W. Va.) Meteorological Record Books, 1916-1957, SC 0394, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Two bound meteorological record books documenting weather in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The record books were kept primarily by Elmer L. Keister (1883-1946) of Brandywine.

The volumes are both official U.S. Department of Agriculture Weather Bureau Voluntary Observer's Meteorological Record books and were kept by Keister until his death in 1946. His daughter, Martha Keister, continued the second book, but only added narrative updates to the "Unusual Meteorological Phenomena" section. The record books include the latitude, longitude, and elevation for the Brandywine weather station.

The record books contain monthly charts to track daily maximum and minimum temperatures, daily precipitation, and climatological data including "miscellaneous phenomena" (auroras, frosts, thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc.). Ice harvests are noted in this section.

At the end of each record book is a section titled "Unusual Meteorological Phenomena" to document, according to the section's instructions, "periods of unusual heat, cold, protracted drought, excessive rains, floods, violent storms, etc., with dates of occurrence." In addition to weather events, this section was also used to document livestock and crop reports including fruit and cider, births, deaths, marriages, road work and public utilities improvements, and community and family news. Multiple entries mention renting out the Keister farm after the death of Elmer Keister.

Biographical / historical:

Elmer L. Keister (1883-1946) of Brandywine, West Virginia was a farmer by trade as well as a volunteer weather observer. He married Mary Armstrong Hoover (1883-1977) in 1907. Their daughter, Martha, was born in 1908.

Elmer Keister kept meticulous weather records for Pendleton County from at least 1916 until his death in 1946. Martha continued to add narrative weather observations until 1957.

Acquisition information:
Purchased September 7, 2024 from Jeffrey S. Evans Associates, Inc. Summer Americana auction.
Custodial history:

Per seller's description: "From a Shenandoah Valley private collection."

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard