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:

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Donald Orth Geological Survey Photograph Collection must be obtained from Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

Donald Orth Geological Survey Photograph Collection, C0233, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.25 linear feet (1 box)
Creator:
Orth, Donald J.
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 and Archives, 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 organized alphabetically mainly by state with three exceptions: Niagara Falls, Portraits and Unknown.

Biographical / historical:

These photographs came from the United States Geological Society. A majority of the photographs were taken by William Henry Jackson and are of the West, especially of what would become Yellowstone National Park. There is a photograph of Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden who hired William Henry Jackson to accompany him and others on Hayden's trips to document the West. Hayden was a geologist who was 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. There are also some photographs taken by John K. Hillers who was exploring the West, especially the Grand Canyon, with John Wesley Powell during the late 19th century. There are photographs of Fridtjof Nansen and his boat Fram which he used during his expedition to the Arctic during the late 19th century.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Donald Orth to Special Collections and Archives on June 10, 2013.
Processing information:

Processing and EAD markup completed in November 2013 by Kerry Mitchell.

Arrangement:

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

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Photographic prints.