C. Malcom Watkins papers, 1935-1979, and undated

Description

C. Malcolm Watkins (1911- ) was born in Malden, Massachusetts, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Harvard College in 1934. In 1936, he began to pursue his interest in early American culture through curatorial work at the Wells Historical Museum, the predecessor of Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts. From 1942 to 1946, Watkins served in World War II in the United States Air Force. He returned to the Wells Historical Museum until 1948, when he accepted the position of Curator for the Department of Anthropology in the United States National Museum and then transferred to the Departments of Civil History and Cultural History at the National Museum of History and Technology, focusing on early American ceramics and glass. Watkins' research concentrated on early American life as seen through types of ceramics and their use. He was also instrumental in the development of the field of historic archeology, and he also studied pioneer life in California settlements. These papers document Watkins' professional life, especially his research on early American culture and include correspondence, field notes from archeological digs, research notes, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, lists of artifacts, and photographs of archeological sites and finds. Also included are correspondence, 1941-1978; exhibition information; internal Smithsonian activities; documentation on the formation of the Society for Historical Archeology; papers on Watkins' sabbatical leave; and numerous photographs, mostly of research artifacts and acquisitions.

Date Range

1935-1939

Access Information

Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.

Topic

Place

Virginia

Form/Genre

Collection record

Accession #

SIA RU007322

Extent

25 boxes

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives