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New York Horticultural Society records

 Collection
Identifier: RA-006

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of log books of initiation fees and monthly dues, general meeting minutes, inspection committee minutes, constitution meeting minutes, petitions, meteorlogic charts, and a letter describing the early history of the Society.

Dates

  • 1818-1872

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research with permission from Mertz Library staff.

Conditions Governing Use

Requests for permission to publish material from the collection should be submitted in writing to the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of the New York Botanical Garden.

Biographical / Historical

Founded by William Wilson on September 29, 1818, the New York Horticultural Society was a predecessor of the Horticultural Society of New York. Original members were John McNabb, John Wilson, John Pringle, George Hutton, John Durno, William Arrol, John Kerr, William Curn, Robert Brock, and Bruce Willson. They became an official organization in 1820. By 1821, the membership of NYHS had increased considerably. Members voted to apply for incorporation through the New York State legislature; they recieved approval and were officially incorporated on March 22, 1822.

The Society consisted of both amateur and professional horticulturists and gardeners interested in promoting and sharing knowledge and improvements in horticulture. Their general desire, according to one account, was to concentrate "...the results of their own practical experience, as well as with a view of obtaining from other sources such information as men of skill and observation might be willing communicate."

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection consists of membership and dues records, constitution, inspecting committee minutes, and a letter of unknown origin.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into four series:

  1. Series 1: History. (letter). 1872.
  2. Series 2: Administrative. 1818-1834. Arranged chronologically by subject.
  3. Series 3: Minutes. 1821-1844. Arranged chronologically by subject.
  4. Series 4: Miscellaneous. 1826.

Other Finding Aids

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was recieved by the archives at an unknown date. It was retrospectively accessioned 13 May 1980; the original accession number given was X267.

Related Materials

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY:

David Hosack Letters and Papers, 1795-1835.

Status
Completed
Author
Kathleene Konkle
Date
July 2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
Processed July 2005 by Kathleene Konkle under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) PA-50678-04.

Repository Details

Part of the The Archives of the New York Botanical Garden Repository

Contact:
New York Botanical Garden, Mertz Library
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx NY 10458 United States