C. Malcom Watkins papers, 1935-1979, and undated : Marlborough research, 1953-1969 : Marlborough photographs, undated.

Abstract

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. The present field book belongs to the 8th series, which contains materials documenting Watkins' historic archeology excavations at Marlborough, Virginia. Included is correspondence with Frank M. Setzler and Oscar H. Darter, who contributed to Watkins' work with the Marlborough project, notes from the dig at Marlborough, photographs, site drawings, research notes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, maps of the area, graphic illustrations of artifacts, and three notebooks with manuscripts on the history and cultural history of Marlborough. The present materials are divided into 35 folders. They include undated photographs of Marlborough. The folders contain 8x10, 5x7, 4x5, 5x8, 3x3 and irregular photographs, from Watkins' Marlborough research projects. Subjects include the Marlborough site, site drawings, artifacts, architectural drawings, aerial photographs, paintings of individuals, documents, and related site information. Also included are graphic illustrations of artifacts, sherds, and other topics: folder 20, Box 17 has original drawing plates and notes for the model of a book spine. For Marlborough book original plates, see oversize collection. See also Box 20, folders 1-5 and Box 25.

Date Range

1953-1969

Start Date

1953

End Date

1969

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

• Virginia--Stafford County
• Archaeology--United States
• Museums
• Civilization--History
• Pottery--Virginia
• Architecture--Virginia
• Architecture--History--Sources
• Museum techniques

Place

• Marlboro
• Virginia

Form/Genre

• Fieldbook record
• Field notes
• Black-and-white photographs
• Diagrams
• Sketches

Accession #

SIA RU007322

Collection name

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

Physical Description

10 folders

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sublocation

Box 16, folders 5-14, Box 17, folders 1-25