Scope and Content
The papers of the noted botanist and former director of the
National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., Dr.
Henry Thomas Skinner(1907-1984) of
Hendersonville, North Carolina, consist
of 2,716 items (10 Hollinger boxes, 3 linear feet), 1932-1984.
This collection contains correspondence, printed material,
articles, talks, photographs, newsclippings, and bound
volumes, much of it pertaining to his life's work with
ornamental plants (especially the azaleas native to
North America), his memberships and
activities in professional and horticultural organizations,
and his directorship and continuing interest in the
Morris Arboretum at the University of
Pennsylvania, and the
National Arboretum.
These are the personal files of Dr. Skinner, and do not
contain any official files kept by him while an employee of
the United States Department of Agriculture. Only a small
quantity of his correspondence deals directly with his
professional tenure at the
Morris Arboretum or the National
Arboretum. The majority of his letters are dated
after his retirement in 1972 and include such general topics
as: horticultural meetings, agendas, and programs;
preservation of native flora and ecological systems;
invitations to speak; requests for advice; awards given to
Skinner; thank you's; requests to write government agencies in
support of environmental issues; fundraising for various
groups; plant identification, care, and propagation; and other
plant-related topics.
Dr. Skinner conducted an extensive study and collection of
wild species of azalea growing throughout the whole eastern
part of the
United Statesduring the spring and summer
of 1951. This resulted in his dissertation,
Character Patterns in the Early Flowering Azaleas of
the Southern United States(1952), written for the University of Pennsylvania.
Other bound volumes in the collection pertaining to this
research are two Southern collecting trip record books, an
expense book, and a notebook regarding routes taken on the
collecting trip. There are also two topical folders concerning
native azaleas, one of which contains an article, "In Search
of Native Azaleas," printed in the
Morris Arboretum Bulletinin 1955.
A selective description of the contents and correspondents
of the more important correspondence files is given below
under each folder heading. For a complete list of all folder
headings, consult the box listing at the end of this
guide.
A:
American Association of Botanical Gardens &
Arboreta, Inc.and the location of papers for its
history (1982 Oct. 31);
Acacia Fraternity at Cornell; the
University Botanical Gardens of Asheville,
Inc.;
Gregory Nace; invitation to do a talk for
the
Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation(1980 Jan.
17);
Jane Akers;
Joseph Oppe;
American Association of Nurserymen;
Joe Adams;
Historic Annapolis, Inc.; Mrs.
Patrick Armsley; the
Prince George Audubon Society; and
"Arboreta -Some Thoughts on Their Significance and Possible
Areas of Contribution" (1973 Feb. 20).
American Horticultural
Society: seed program, the "new" AHS Azalea Handbook (1980
Jan. 4); symposiums;
Donald Wymanand
James Harlow, concerning the argument
over the publication agreement concerning
The Peonies(1961 & 1977-1978); Magnolia Checklist (1976 Jan.
5);
Plant Science Data Center; and the
"Bibliography of Cultivar Name Registration."
B:
Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve;
Robert Barham;
Janet Bowers Bothwell;
Bowers Foundation;
Alex Benisatto;
Malcolm S. Barnes;
Gordon A. Brandes(
Filoli Center);
Ray Brush;
Hortus III;
W. P. Bebbington& "Vascular Flora of
Hitchcock Woods" (1976);
Clarence F. Bent;
Richard A. Brown;
Hal Brace; "A Comment on Ivy," by Skinner
(n.d.);
Buildings of England Group; a gift of
books to the
Royal Horticultural Society Gardenat
Wisley; and biographical information on
Clement Gray Bowers(1973 Jun. 6).
Boxwood Society: paragraph in honor of
Edgar Anderson(1984 May 11); discussion
of "Morris Dwarf" & "Morris Midget" (1981 Feb. 3);
"Comments on Some of the Better Known Boxwood Varieties" by
Skinner (1977 Sept. 29); boxwood registration form (1976 Jul.
3); "The Boxwoods of Birr Castle, Ireland" (1975 Sept. 14) and
"Notes on Some Forms of Japanese Boxwood" (n.d.) both by
Skinner.
C: list of former winners of
the
Norman Jay Coleman Award(1983 Oct.) and
Skinner's recommendation that
John Creechbe given the award (1983 Dec.
20); Skinner's advice regarding the
National Arboretumto
Marc Cathey(1981 Jun. 12);
William A.V. Cecil; and
Dan Coleman.
Cornell Plantations:
Ralph Curtis Memorialfundraising
(1982-1984); "Inventory of Plant Materials" (1981 Aug. 11);
Janet Bothwell(1980); and photograph of
CornellClass of 1936 (1976 Mar. 3).
D:
James Deane, editor of
Living Wilderness, regarding
Martha Prince's manuscript about the
Nantahala Forestcontroversy (1977 Apr.
7); and
Francis DeVos.
E:
Harold Epsteinand the
American Rock Garden Societytalk (1975
Jan. 30).
F:
Bill Flemer, III;
Truman Fossum;
Henry Fuller;
William H. Frederick, Jr.;
Lionel Fortescue;
Rhododendron bakeri(1975 Jun.
3 & 17); "The Time Has Come," by
Henry Fullerand other material about
native azaleas (1974 Feb. 15, Mar. 25, & following).
G:
Fred C. Galle; Kerume azaleas lists
(1983);
Garden Club of America;
The Azalea Book(1980 Nov. 25); Mrs. Johnson's watercolor paintings
of native azaleas (1978 Nov. 9);
Gulf Stream Nurseryand
Bob Talley;
Gary Gerlach;
Roger Groundsand liriopogons (1975 Jan.
30, Feb. 22, Mar. 3, and Apr. 14);
Mary A. Gambleand boxwoods (1974 Oct.
26); and "The Edgar Anderson Balkan Boxwoods" by Gamble (1974
Jan.).
H:
Polly Hill;
Herb Society of America;
Arthur W. Holweg; Horticultural Tour of
Eastern United States (1977 Oct.);
Edward W. Hughes;
Frederic Heutte;
Harold Hillier & Sons;
Walter Hodgeand
Hortus III(1974 Jun. 18);
E. D. Hirsch, Jr., concerning a test
garden for rhododendrons at the
University of Virginia(1973 Nov. 4);
dwarf conifers and
Humphrey Welch(1973 Apr. 10 & 19);
the
Holly Society of Americaand the
registration of "Lydia Morris" (1973).
International Dendrology
Society: newsletters, minutes, & etc.; and a
photograph of an IDS tour group (1975).
I-J:
Marion Jull;
Marion Johnston; and
Lady Bird Johnson(1966 May 22, & 1973
Feb. 28).
K:
Austin C. Kennell;
Frank P. Knight;
August Kehr;
Steven Kristoph;
John S. Sheppardand the use of
rhododendrons for erosion control (1976 Aug. 29); and
Joseph Kettinger.
L:
Kathleen Lahr;
Clarence E. Lewis;
Elizabeth Lawrenceconcerning the "Morris
Dwarf" vs. "Morris Midget" (1980);
Lynn Lowrey;
George Lee's death (1978 Apr.); Skinner's
review and comments concerning the Recommended Plant List
printout (1973 Aug. 15, & 1978 Jan. 12);
Ladew Topiary Gardens;
Bob Lederer;
P. S. Leathartwith Skinner's list of
"Notable Exotics Grown in the United States" (1976 Apr. 5);
Marion Flookregarding phloxes;
Dick Lighty; the distribution of native
azaleas (1975 Aug. 18); Skinner's
Longwood Gardenlecture;
Adile Lovett;
Richard M. Lewis; and Plant Questionnaire
criticisms (1974 Jan. 3).
M:
Betty Miller;
Philip R. Milroyregarding the
preservation of plants on the old "Meadows" estate of
Fletcher, North Carolina(1982 May 10
& Jun. 3);
Kenneth Knox; Champion Big Trees of North
Carolina (1982 Jan.);
Alfred S. Martin;
Brian Mulligan;
Skip March;
Loy Marks;
J.C. McDanielregarding a Checklist of
Cultivated Magnolias (1976 Jan. 5 & 15); book donations to
Wisley Gardens(1974);
International Dendrology Societytours;
controversy over restuarants at the
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Garden(1973).
Morris Arboretum:
Paul W. Meyer; Plan for the Development
of the
Morris Arboretum; Fact sheet;
J. J. Willaman; native azaleas;
George L. McNew; and
Gordon A. Brandes.
N:
North Carolina Botanical Garden;
Northwest Ornamental Horticultural Society,
Inc.; Dr.
Frederick G. Meyer; and
National Council of State Garden
Clubs.
National Arboretum:
Rhododendron japonicum(1984
May 9 & 16);
Theodore R. Dudley; special plant
distribution lists; seed lists; photograph of
National Arboretum Advisory
CouncilMeeting (1979 Jun. 14); and Skinner's
comments regarding Dudley's Biota of North America Committee
Rhododendron Listing (1978 Dec. 8).
O:
Joseph W. Oppe;
Rhododendron japonicum(1984
Jul. 29);
Michael MacCaskey; and
Ortho Books,
Chevron Chemical Company.
P:
Martha Prince;
Ben Parry;
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden;
Mateo Lettunich;
J.B. Paton;
Martha Prince's "To Save A Mountain"
(1977 Oct. 1); the
Nantahala National Forestclear cutting
controversy (1976-1977); and the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
R:
Royal Society of Arts; the
American Rhododendron Society; the
American Rock Garden Society; the
Republican National Committee;
Martha K. Roane; and
Allan H. Reid.
Royal Horticultural Society:
John Cowell; plant name changes such as
Rhododendron japonicum(1984
Sept. 6);
Suzanne Lucas;
Frances Perry;
Veitch Memorial Medal(1983 Oct. 13); "The
Royal Horticultural Society" by
Suzanne Wolstenholme(1983 Mar.-Apr.);
Chris Brickell;
Chelsea Show; Lord
Charles Aberconway; and
John Hamer.
Rhododendron:
Marshall Asher;
Bill Tietjenand the seed exchange;
Austin C. Kennell;
William H. Gensel;
Norton Booth; Dr.
Donald Kellam, Jr.; and
Phil Cofer.
S:
Bess Shippyand her interest in ivies;
Sutton Valence School;
Stephen F. Smith;
Harrison M. Symmes;
Franklin Styerregarding the
American Association of Nurserymen to Stabilize
Nomenclature;
Louise G. Smith;
Brian Savage;
Henri Schaepmanconcerning Shippy's book
on ivies (1975); plant names and comments by Skinner (1974
Nov. 16);
Russell Seibert; and
J. R. Schramm.
T:
Tryon Men's Garden Club;
Patand
Tom Tinsleyregarding landscaping his
business (1977 Jan. 21); Time-Life Books
Shade Gardens;
Bob Talley;
Jacques L. Legendre Garden(1974 May 13);
and
Margaretta Taylorregarding the
Encyclopedia of Gardening(1978 Jan. 28).
V:
Charles Van Ravenswaay, director of
Wintherthur; Skinner's comments regarding
the Pine Checklist (1976 Aug. 9);
Derk Visser; and the
Winterthur Museum.
W:
James Morton Smith;
Winterthur Museum & Gardens;
Gertrudeand
John Wister;
Jim Wells;
William Paca Garden(1980 May);
Jim Harlowand
The Peoniescontroversy (1978 Nov. 21);
Conrad J. Wrzesinski;
Anne Wood;
W. G. Waters;
Elfriede Walker;
Robert Walpole;
Helen H. Whiting;
Williamsburg GardenSymposiums;
Thomas Wheeldon;
Donald Wyman;
Joseph A. Witt;
Humphrey J. Welch; and
Whitemarsh Parkconservation (1972 Dec.
1).
Y-Z:
Wilbur H. Youngman;
David N. Yerkes; and
Isabel Zucker.
Dr. Skinner's second series of files are topical and only
the contents and correspondents of a few will be described
here. The following folders furnish additional insight into
Skinner's career: Awards, Biographical Sketches, Photographs,
Publicity, the Scrapbook File, and Social Functions.
The Azalea Handbook of the American Horticultural Society
folder contains correspondence from
Fred Galle,
Frederic P. Lee,
Harlan P. Kelsey,
Wendell H. Camp, and
David Leach. The file on the
Nantahala National Forestincludes
correspondence from
Martha Prince,
S. I. Hayakawa,
Herman E. Talmadge, and
George McGovern; and discusses the
Roadless Area Review and Evaluation and the
Southern Highlands Coalition.
Skinner's article, "In Search of Native Azaleas," is found
in the Native Azaleas folder, together with the correspondence
of
W. H. Camp,
W. P. Lemmon, and
S. D. Coleman.
Dr. Skinner was chiefly responsible for the production of
the
United States Department of Agriculture's
Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and the same folder also contains
"The Geographic Charting of Plant Climatic Adaptability" by
Skinner.
His interest in rhododendrons is represented by several
folders pertaining to that plant. A "Guide to Dexter
Rhododendrons" is found in Rhododendron and Azalea Varieties;
Rhododendron Japonicumcontains
correspondence from Dr.
Edward Vossand
R. K. Brummittconcerning the Botanical
Code; and the
American Rhododendron Society Quarterly
Bulletincontains
Martha Roane's article "The Species of
Rhododendron Native to North America," with letters also from
Edward C. Egan,
Jim Wells, and
King & Patonof
Scotland.
Donald Voss,
Edwin K. Parker, and
Paul W. Meyerwrite concerning
Rhododendron Registration, while
Judy Youngand
Karen S. Gundersoncorrespond regarding
the
Rhododendron Species Foundation.
Dr. Skinner's Scrapbook File includes the following:
Alfred S. Martin,
Jack Brooks,
Earl L. Butz,
Karl Loevenich,
John Mack Carter,
Frederick P. Lee,
John C. Wister,
H. F. Du Pont,
Ezra Taft Benson,
Fred J. Chittenden, and
Anthony Montague Rowefor Sir
Winston Churchill.
The bound volumes of this collection include those
connected with Skinner's native azalea collecting trip in
1951, several notebooks concerning rhododendrons and azaleas,
and his thesis and dissertation.