Lancaster County Bird Club Records, Series 02 Lancaster County Bird Club Books and Publications, 1869-1924, 1982-2011
Call Number: MG-566
1 box 8 folders .5 cubic feet
Repository: LancasterHistory.org (Organization); PV7
Shelving Location: Archives South, Side 12
Scope and Content Note: Series 2 contains Lancaster County Bird Club books and publications, and the related correspondence and records. There are also publications which pre-date the club, but influenced the orgnaization and its publications. This collection contains the business records of the Lancaster County Bird Club in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Records include the constitution and by-laws, meeting minutes, bulletins, newsletters, programs, correspondence, and newspaper articles about birds, bird watching, and club members.
Creator: Lancaster County Bird Club
System of Arrangement: The collection is divided into 18 series.
Series 1 Newspaper articles
Series 2 Lancaster County Bird Club books and publications
Series 3 Correspondence
Series 4 Programs
Series 5 “Call Notes”
Series 6 Bulletins
Series 7 Daily field checklists and bird counts
Series 8 Newsletters
Series 9 Field trips
Series 10 Donations, sponsorships and membership
Series 11 Crow Problem
Series 12 Constitution and by-laws
Series 13 LCBC and other organizations
Series 14 Awards, recognition and certification
Series 15 Lancaster County Bird Club Reports
Series 16 Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Project
Series 17 Membership cards/lists
Series 18 Minutes
Conditions for Access: Restrictions are noted at the item level.
Conditions Governing Reproductions: Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.
Language: English
Biographical and Historical Note: The Lancaster County Bird Club had its beginnings in December 1937 and has been active ever since in pursuit of its goals: to record the observation of bird life in the county, to disseminate in a popular manner the result of such observations, to provide education concerning the habits and identification of birds and to secure the cultivation of public sentiment in the preservation of our native bird life. Articles of Incorporation were filed and approved by the Department of State on December 12, 1983, under the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1972.
Lancaster County’s location in southcentral Pennsylvania makes it home to many diverse habitats that are attractive, not only to breeding birds, but also to migratory species. The Susquehanna River, the Furnace Hills, the Lancaster County Parks System, Octoraro Lake, Muddy Run Reservoir, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, sites owned by the Lancaster County Conservancy, and the vast agricultural areas all provide excellent birding opportunities.
Lancaster County Bird Club. “About Us.” Accessed May 12, 2015. http://www.lancasterbirdclub.org/index.php/about-us.
Source of Acquisition: Gift of the Lancaster County Bird Club, 20 July 2010-present.
Accruals: LancasterHistory.org will continue to receive meeting minutes and other records.
Preferred Citation: Lancaster County Bird Club Records (MG-566), Series #, Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory.org
Subject Headings:
Lancaster County Bird Club (LHo LOC n 84006127)
Clubs.
Business records.
Letters.
Bird watching.
Lancaster County (Pa.)
Related Materials: See also the Photograph Collection.
Processing History: Processed and finding aid prepared by WP; AJ, 2014-2015. Finding aid was created following DACS conventions.
Box 2
Series 2 Lancaster County Bird Club Books and Publications
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 1 Book Excerpts
An Authentic History of Lancaster County, in the State of Pennsylvania, by J.I. Mombert, D.D. (Member of the Lancaster County Historical Society), Lancaster, PA: J.E. Barr & Co. 1869.
History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers & Prominent Men, by Franklin Ellis & Samuel Evans, Philadelphia: Everts & Peck. 1883.
Excerpts from: Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, containing Biographical & Genealogical Sketches of Prominent & Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Publishers: J.H. Beers & Co. 1903.
Papers Read Before the Lancaster County Historical Society. 1) “Historical Sketch of Rural Field Sports in Lancaster County,” by Herbert H. Beck. 2) “Joseph Bonaparte the Ex-King of Spain in Lancaster,” by William Frederic Warner. Friday, 2 November 1923.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 2 Bird Lists
“List of Birds in Franklin & Marshall College Museum,” June 5, 1912.
A Chapter on the Ornithology of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with supplementary notes on Mammals. By Herbert Beck, 1924.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 3 Lancaster County Bird Club Publications
Notepaper that was sold by the Lancaster County Bird Club in the 1980s. With envelope.
A Guide to Birds of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, by the Lancaster County Bird Club, 1984.
A Guide to Birds of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2nd Edition, by the Lancaster County Bird Club, 1991.
“Books: Lancaster County Hot-Spots Guide”, by: Edward D. Fingerhood.
Invoice for “A Guide to the Birds of Lancaster County”.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 4 Lancaster County Bird Club Publications Minutes 1982 – 1984
Ad Hoc Committee for the Publishing of Birding Book/Annotated Check List for Lancaster County, 30 March 1982. Includes meeting date, time, and location, reason for meeting, whether to give away or sell the book, areas to be included, depth of checklist, sources available for information, book size, artwork, funding, typing, organization and assignment of responsibilities. 2 copies
Ad Hoc Committee for the Publishing of Birding Book/Annotated Check List for Lancaster County, 20 April 1982. Includes meeting date and who was in attendance, rudimentary outline, potential list of person that may help with sections, and date, time, and location of next meeting. 2 copies; second copy has additional notations and note to Tom, Bob, Clyde & Scott indicating maps are included to houses so they can be found.
Ad Hoc Committee for the Publishing of Birding Book/Annotated Check List for Lancaster County, 18 May 1982. Includes meeting date, time, and location, members in attendance, suggested revisions or additions for areas, format, annotated check list committee format, authorship, profits, styles of type, artwork/maps, foreword, deadlines, continuity/language, drawings – check list section, and next meeting information. 3 copies, additional copies has added markings.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 12 August 1982. Includes meeting date and location, which members were present or absent, consistency in capitalization, introduction, foreword, artwork, publicity – business arrangement, artwork continued, artwork for the twelve sections, artwork – annotated check list section, status of areas by writers, maps, type style, annotated check list, and next meeting. 2 copies, second copy has an additional map of the Amico’s.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 14 October 1982. Includes date, time, and location of meeting, whom was present and absent, printing, artwork, maps, status of areas by writers, annotated check list section, general discussion items, and next meeting. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 29 November 1982. Includes meeting date, time, and location, whom was present and absent, status of areas by writers, complimentary copies, annotated check list, artwork/maps, maps, next meeting, and addendum. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 19 January 1983. Includes meeting date, time, and location, whom was present and absent, individuals from Lancaster Press would be at the meeting, review of status of areas, artwork status, annotated checklist committee, and future meeting dates for committees. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 7 February 1983. Includes meeting date, time and location, whom was present and absent, update on areas, annotated check list, artwork, maps, marketing of book, committee to handle marketing of book, number of copies to be printed, cover drawing, and future meetings. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 21 March 1983. Includes meeting date, time, and location, whom was present and absent, artists/map makers, price quote for printing, marketing committee, book name, status of areas, gyrfalcon section, art work, major art work, and next meeting date. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 25 April 1983. Includes meeting date, time, and location, whom was present and absent, new artists’ name and time of arrival, manuscript section, data page, authorship, title, annotated check list, art work, maps, printing, marketing committee, and next meeting date. 2 copies.
Progress Report 24 June 1983. Report sent to all authors, artists, and committee members of Lancaster County: Its’ Birds and Where to Find Them. Includes chapters, whom is writing them, and current status, artwork, committees, a note to all participants indicating their hope that any changes made by the editorial and review process will be appreciated, and names and addresses. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 27 June 1983. Includes meeting date and location, whom was present and absent, status of areas, art work, title, authorship, cover suggestion, publicity, suggested people to review the book, art work, art work – annotated check list, maps, county map in book, cover explanation, index, copyright, expenses, chapter order, slide presentation, and next meeting. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 11 August 1983. Includes meeting time and location, whom was present and absent, text, art work, maps, acknowledgements, dedication, acknowledgement of artists, titles on drawings, maps, four cover pages, paper, slide show, editing committee, next meeting of committee, and additional title suggested during refreshments. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 27 September 1983. Includes meeting time and location, whom was present and absent, status of areas, annotated checklist, status of the art work, marketing committee, “Call f the Outdoors” – WGAL-TV Program, maps, additional artists, and next meeting. 2 copies.
Letter to Harold from Mich. Indicating estimated costs for “Birds of Lancaster Count – Where to Find Them”. 26 September 1983.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 8 November 1983. Includes meeting time and location, whom was present and absent, art work, marketing committee, book title, text, index, maps, selling price of book, future meetings, and note to committee members. 2 copies.
Ad Hoc Committee – Bird Book, 4 June 1984. Includes notice that it was a combined meeting of the Ad Hoc and Marketing Committees, meeting time and location, whom was present and absent from both committees, setting price for book, volume pricing to retail stores, accountant for book sales, places interested in selling books or that we will be contacting, slide presentation, letter to members, distribution of free copies of book, adjournment, and note. 2 copies.
Format of Descriptive Section. 3 copies.
“Lancaster Bird Club Pens 208-Page Handbook” by: Ad Crable. New Era. No Date.
“A Half Century of Birding in Lancaster County” by: Jack Brubaker. The Scribbler. No Date.
Ad Hoc Committee for Revision of LCBC Bird Book Editorial Subcommittee, 26 November 1990. Includes meeting date and location, whom was and wasn’t there, front cover, title page, editorial preface, acknowledgements, contents, foreword, introduction: habitats and history, introduction: geology and topography, Part 1: Chapters 1 through 12, Sections 1 through 3, Part 2, index, miscellaneous items, next meeting date, and addendum.
Ad Hoc Committee for Revision of LCBC Bird Book Editorial Subcommitee, 6 February 1991. Includes meeting date, time and location, whom was and wasn’t there, and cost of reprinting.
Letter to Harold, from Barb Warren concerning copy of the Members in the News that needs to be proofed, the favorable price to reprint the book, and a copy of the minutes. 8 February 1991.
Lancaster County Bird Club Agenda: Board Meeting, 21 February 1991. Included is a bequest from the estate of Frank B. Trout, second edition of the book, demand and financial ability, cost of books, pricing, storage, marketing committee, and other business.
LCBC Financial Data Sheet for Board Meeting, 21 February 1991. Included are assets, annual operating expenses, payback period: 1st edition, rates of sale: 1st edition, number of 1st edition books sold retail, and various bids.
Letter to Barb concerning suggestions 21 February. Includes editorial committee: 1st editor list and 2nd edition, authors, acknowledgement, and possible sale locations.
Letter to Barb from Pat, 21 September 1991, about concerns. Includes annotated checklist, symbols used, and type of set used for certain sections of book.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 5 Lancaster County Bird Club Website Proposal
Letter to Jane, Lancaster County Bird Club, from Les. Includes a proposal but also a notice that they may not want to do the Club’s website due to retirement, will be willing to work with the Club as long as members are aware that changes or updates may not be completed right away on a trip. Also includes information regarding email services, a listserv, the cost for server and domain, reference to another website that the Club’s would be similar too, and hand-written notes about what pages to included on website.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 6 Lancaster County Bird Club Website Layout
Proposed Website Layout, includes home, events, messages, scholarship, membership, about us, and which pages would be static or dynamic. 2 copies.
Suggestion for the Introduction portion of the website and what could be included. 2 copies.
Draft copy of Susquehanna Birding and Wildlife Trail Map, minus revisions, intended for Jan Witmer LCBC. Includes Lock 12 and McCall’s Ferry Road, Canal Towpath Trail, Conewago Recreation Trail, Speedwell Forge Lake, Speedwell Forge County Park, Middle Creek, Wildlife Management Area, Chickies Rock County Park, Conejohela Flats, Muhlenberg Native Plant and Wildflower Meadow, Lancaster County Central Park, Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve, Pequea Creek Preserve, Trout Run Preserve, Tucquan Glen Preserve, Pinnacle Overlook/ Kelly’s Run Natural Area, Face Rock Overlook, Holtwood Environmental Preserve, Muddy Run Recreation area Conowingo Reservoir, Susquehannock State Park, Theodore A. Parker III Natural Area, Octoraro Reservoir, Nottingham County Park, and white Clay Creek Preserve.
Map and directions to Farm & Home Center and Lancaster County Birding Locations.
Maps for North Susquehanna Area, Falmouth Access Area, Conewago Trail, State Game Lands 156 and Triangle Area, Seglock Run Area, Speedwell and Hammer Creek, Speedwell Forge Park, and Middle Creek.
Maps for Chickies Rock County Park (2 maps), Washington Boro, Rock Hill, Safe Harbor, Amish Farmlands, Lancaster County Central Park, and directions to Lancaster County Central Park.
Maps for Pequea to Benton Hollow Road, Muddy Run, Muddy Run Recreation Lake Area, Octoraro Area, Serpentine Barrens, and Theodore A. Parker III Natural Area.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 7 Lancaster County Bird Club Website Correspondence
Letter to Jan, from Jane both of the Lancaster County Bird Club, concerning the proposed layout of the website, requesting additional proposals to have a better understanding of what is wanted and to pursue it further, and various items to take along including the book, last year’s brochure, membership form, scholarship form, and the last newsletter. 28 June 2003.
Letter from Jane, Lancaster County Bird Club, concerning a notice to confirm a meeting time with Les, suggestions for the homepage, ease of finding club using search engines, and mention of another proposal given by Ben Eisemann although they don’t anticipate following through with his. 13 September 2003. Attached is a response to Jane from Jan concerning the date with Les; and a letter to Jan and Pat from Les asking questions and preferences of the Bird Club concerning the website. 12 September 2003.
Handwritten notes for Les about the domain, updates, items to include, costs, and contact information.
Letter to the Board of Directors of the Lancaster County Bird Club, concerning the meeting that was attended with Les, a sample skeleton of the website that he created, the annual cost, a notice that Les would do the work for free in exchange for complimentary membership, where to look for a detailed sample of Les’ work, and a notice of an upcoming Director’s meeting. 26 September 2003. Attached is a letter from Les containing the link for the sample skeleton.
Letter to the Board Members, from Jan indicating a misspelling in the web address for Harford Bird Club and the skeleton site. 27 September 2003.
Letter to Jan from Jane, both members of the Lancaster County Bird Club, regarding contacting Les so he can begin work, and acceptance of an invitation to Lombardo’s. 13 October 2003.
Letter to Jane and Leon from Jan on back side stating to contact Les and let him whom to contact with questions. Additional letter to Les from Jan discussing a board meeting that had been held on 10 October. At the meeting it was decided unanimously that he would create the website, if there questions to contact Jane Schreffler, and a question regarding when he needs the money. 13 October 2003.
Letter to Jan & Pat Witmer from Les requesting that a “greeting” or short general overview of the club be written for the opening page, and an answer regarding when he needs to be paid. 13 October 2003. Attached is a letter to Less from Jan indicating that a “greeting” will be worked on. 14 October 2003.
Letter to Jan from Jane indicating agreement with thoughts for the home page and the information page, suggestions for possible additional maps to include and links that can be used to access outside sites, and notice that there will be upcoming meetings for rail/trail and request to speak on behalf of the club at said meetings regarding the Club’s support of the Surface Transportation Board. 24 October 2003.
Letter to Jan and Pat Witmer from Les apologizing for the slow progress on the website, notice that a domain name has been contracted, and the plans to continue work. 6 November 2003.
Letter to Les from Jan indicating that the slow progress isn’t a problem and asking if fees need to be paid. 7 November 2003.
Letter to Jan from Jane, saying that Les should be contacted about what to do with maps and if a meeting is required no problem, and suggestions that types of birds that can be found in addition to the map and descriptions. 18 November 2003.
Letter to Les from Jan indicating an attachment containing information on the top birding sites in Lancaster County, questions regarding the copies of maps and suggestions about types of birds found in each location. 19 November 2003.
Letter to Jan from Jane indicating the belief that the website no longer be labeled “under construction” and include the information already available, and that more information can be added later. 19 November 2003.
Letter to Jan and Pat suggesting the higher quality of the map the better and that he should scan the images, and the suggestion that if uncommon birds are known to be in the area that could be a good idea. 19 November 2003.
Letter to Les from Jan indicating that all copies of the book have been sold and suggesting a meeting date be set, and asking if the check from the treasurer had been received. 19 November 2003.
Letter to Jan & Pat Witmer from Les saying to send the copies of the maps already had and suggesting holding off on a meeting until after the website is up so that changes can be made from there, and the check had been received. 20 November 2003.
Letter to Jane from Les indicating that pages of the website have been added, indicating that improvements will be made, and asking if individuals want any information to be removed. 21 November 2003.
Letter to Les from Jan indicating that maps had been mailed. 22 November 2003.
Letter to Anne from Jan indicating that Kurt will be willing to maintain the website if there is still a need. 14 September 2004. Letter is in response to one sent to Jan from Ann about Kurt maintaining the website and contact information for him, and a question about creating a factual flier about environmental policies and the presidential candidates. 13 September 2004.
Letter to Jan and Pat Witmer from Les indicating that the website domain has been renewed for five years and the cost associated with that, and appreciation for finding another individual to take over maintaining the website. 15 September 2004. Letter is in response to one sent to Les about the Board looking into someone else taking over the website, and asking if there is an annual fee to be paid.
Letter to Kurt from Jan indicating her notification that he is willing to maintain the website and requesting what sort of information he needs in order to do so. 15 September 2004.
Letter to Jan from Kurt containing a list of information that he needs from the previous webmaster so that he can take over maintaining the website, question of whether there is a committee for the website that we would go to for decisions, and notice that he will be at the next meeting. 29 September 2004.
Letter to Kurt from Jan containing the response received about the inquiry into the website dues and that his questions had been forwarded to Les, a notice that Les wouldn’t be contacted until the following month and hey may contact Les himself should he want too, and a response to his question regarding a committee and a question whether he believes one is needed.
Letter to Jan & Pat Witmer from Les indicating that the current newsletter is on the website, and that the questions from Kurt have been received but no responses have been given as of yet. 8 October 2004.
Letter to the Bird Club from Jim McMullin about his association with the bird club dating back to 1942 or 1943 and includes pictures an occupied hummingbird nest. 17 July 2011. Attached is a note to Barbara from Pat indicating the letter from Jim McMullin and suggesting that the pictures can be added to the website as well as other pictures that have been found. 15 August 2011.
Series 2, Box 2, Folder 8 Lancaster County Bird Club Website Finances
Financial quote from Web Tek Computer Company indicating costs for website development, options, monthly hosting, and annual domain name fee, updating site as needed, and conditions. 16 July 2003. Attached is a business card for Web Tek.