Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Accession 12-590
National Museum of Natural History. Office of Education and Outreach
Naturalist Center History Files, 1977-2011
Collection Overview
| General Information About This Collection | |
|---|---|
| Repository: | Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu. |
| Creator: | National Museum of Natural History. Office of Education and Outreach |
| Title: | Naturalist Center History Files |
| Dates: | 1977-2011 |
| Quantity: | 4 cu. ft. (4 record storage boxes) |
| Collection: | Accession 12-590 |
| Language of Materials: | English |
| Summary: | This accession consists of records documenting the goals, programs, activities, events, and administration of the Naturalist Center. The Naturalist Center, 1976-2011, provided hands-on learning experiences for students and adults through the use of study collections. It was located within the museum building until 1995 when it was moved to Leesburg, Virginia. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, reports, clippings, publicity materials, docent training materials, student activity instructions, resources for teachers, log books, images, slide sets, notes, floor plans, brochures, posters, videotapes, and related materials. Some materials are in electronic format. |
Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of records documenting the goals, programs, activities, events, and administration of the Naturalist Center. The Naturalist Center, 1976-2011, provided hands-on learning experiences for students and adults through the use of study collections. It was located within the museum building until 1995 when it was moved to Leesburg, Virginia. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, reports, clippings, publicity materials, docent training materials, student activity instructions, resources for teachers, log books, images, slide sets, notes, floor plans, brochures, posters, videotapes, and related materials. Some materials are in electronic format.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
Subject
- Museums -- Educational aspects
- Museums -- Public relations
- Natural history museums
- Science -- Study and teaching
- Special events
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 12-590, National Museum of Natural History. Office of Education and Outreach, Naturalist Center History Files
Container List
Box 1
Liesel McCurry Logs (Journal of Volunteer/Part-Time Staff Person), June 1986-November 1994
Jefferson County Teacher Naturalist Resource Notebook, 2000-2001 (2 folders)
"Bridge Between Research and the Exhibits - The Smithsonian Naturalist Center," Joan C. Madden, 1978
Naturalist Center Information Packet
Naturalist Center Docent Job Descriptions and Responsibilities, 1983
Loudoun Volunteer Center, 2004-2005
Loudoun County Economic Development, 2006
Scientific Illustrator as a Career
Docent Interview Information Packet
Move Inventory and Floor Plans, April 1995
Partnership for an Inquiry Science Project: A Grant Proposal to Benefit Loudoun County Public Schools
Highlight Tours of the Naturalist Center
"A Look at Museum Education Programs for Secondary Science Students"
"Young Collectors at the Smithsonian: A 150th Anniversary Program of Education, Mentoring, and Demonstration"
Naturalist Center Docent Job Descriptions and Responsibilities, 1983
Plans for Anthropology Resource Center for Teachers
Local Archeology Resource Guide - District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, 1978
Guide to the Archeological Study Collection
Press Release - Naturalist Center Return to National Museum of Natural History, June 21, 2011
Naturalist Center Closure Letter to Volunteers, June 14, 2011
Funding Proposal for Interactive Computer Program, c. 1987
Naturalist Center Monthly Reports (Incomplete Run), 1993-1998
"Creating an Education Campus at Claude Moore Park and Park View High School, Loudoun County, Virginia: A Naturalist Center Building Initiative"
"Cooperative Project with United States Geological Survey (Project JEDI)," 1990
Environmental Quality, 1991
Magyar Gallery, 1992
Naturalist Center Committee Report to the Director, National Museum of Natural History, June 1, 1979
Natural Science Institute for Teachers of Minority Students, 1990-1992
Naturalist Center Articles, 1982-1992
West Court Planning, 1985-1986
Press Release - Naturalist Center Move to Loudoun County, March 6, 1995
Women's Committee Grant Application - Naturalist Center Student/Teacher Learning Enhancement Project, 2007
Naturalist Center General Information, 2006-2007
Human Evolution
Docent Questionnaire
Naturalist Center Plan, June 1991-1992
Publicity Materials
Naturalist Center Partners Awards Program, 2007-2008
"What's the Difference? Butterflies and Moths"
Naturalist Center Philosophy and User Guidelines
Press Preview, February 27, 1996
Naturalist Center - Utilization of Facilities
Handling Skins Safely
"Studying the Basic Bones of Terrestrial Mammals: A Guide to the Naturalist Center, National Museum of Natural History Comparative Osteology Collection," by Patricia Nutter
"The Microbial World," by Gerry Groupe, 1977, revised 1986
Docent Training Handouts
"Discover the Smithsonian Naturalist Center: A School Partnership for Learning"
General Guidelines for Specimen Handling
Box 2
"Creating a Family Learning Center: The Naturalist Center in Loudoun County, Virginia"
Anne Schwermer's Electronic Files, 2003-2008 (electronic records)
Loudoun Valley High School Student Project PowerPoint Presentation, December 2, 2005 (electronic records)
"Loudoun County Public Schools Welcomes the Naturalist Center," M. Joffries, April 2005 (electronic records)
Naturalist Center 30th Anniversary Bracelets
Sample Thank You Cards
Regular Public Program Group, 1978-1986
Naturalist Center Committee, 1977-1984
Naturalist Center Promotional Letters
"Recommendations for the National Museum of Natural History, in Response to the Support Staff Job Satisfaction Survey of 1982," August 6, 1984
"A Guide to Rights, Responsibilities, and Privileges for the Scientific Support Staff," July 14, 1984
"Assessment of the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Mountainside, New Jersey, for the Museum Assessment Program, American Association of Museums, May 1984
Anthropology Background Materials
"Evolutionary Characteristics of Marine Mammals," by Rebecca Paravicini, 1983
"Geologic History of Washington, DC Area"
"Geology and Technical Development," by Rita F. Lewis, 1983
"An Introduction to Geology"
"Physical Geology," by Susan Moore and Rebecca Mead
Docent Training, 1981-1986
Highlights Tour of the Naturalist Center, 1986
"Guide to the Corals: Class Anthozoa," by Tracy Siani
Second School Tool Folder, Loudoun Collection - Working Notes and Naturalist Center Versions
Public Service Announcements and Press Releases, 1988
Docent Survey
"Understanding Invertebrates"
"Working Towards Positive Change: Report on a Naturalist Center Retreat, September 12, 1988," October 10, 1988
Loudoun Collection Brochure
Glimpses of Eskimo Life - Loudoun Collection
Local Archeology Resource Guide, 1992
"Studying the Basic Bones of Terrestrial Mammals," by Patricia Nutter
NSPIRE Center, 1993-1994
Move Planning, 1994
Urban Connections - Arthropod Discovery Unit
Volunteer Opportunity Mailing, March 29, 1995
Naturalist Center Docent Job Descriptions and Responsibilities, 1983
School Groups, 1998-1999
Loudoun Resource Collection
Mule Deer Skeleton
Naturalist Center Brochure - Spanish
Rock Study Manual
Specific Gravity Determination
"Is It Real" Facilitator Notes, 2001
Naturalist Center Article, October 2000
Thomas Smith, 1999-2006
Naturalist Center Annual Reports, 1988-1992
Bird Identification Activity
Vertebrate Teeth Identification Materials
Letterboxing
Lesson Plans for Use in Naturalist Center and Exhibit Halls
Exercises - Forensics, Rocks, and Corals
Adaptations Exercises, 1985-1986
Box 3
Case I - Identifying Projectile Points
Case I - Paleo-Indian/Archaic Suggested Readings
Case III - Southwest Pottery
Case III - Pottery Temper, Decoration
Learning Laboratory in Human Osteology (including videotapes), 1980
Key for Rock Identification, 1996
Biome Investigation Unit
Raptor Classification and Identification
Bird Nests Activity
The Unknowns Activity
Primate Skull Directed Observation Exercises
Dramas in the Wild Activity, 1982
Identification Activities - Miscellaneous
Teacher's Resource Packet: Anthropology
Teacher's Resource Guide: North American Indians
Important Rules and Useful Information to Know Prior to Your School Group Visit
Teacher Guidelines for Programs
Glaciers - Slide Set
Dinosaur Tracks - Slide Set
What is a Museum? - Slide Set
Dinosaurs and the Age of Reptiles - Slide Set
Dinosaurs and Other Giants - Slide Set
Teacher's Resource Packet - Creationism and Evolutionism, 1983
Anthropology Teacher's Packet, 1987
Teacher Packets - Miscellaneous
Class Letters, 1984
Project Guides
Teacher Critique of Naturalist Center
Medical Entomology Study Guide
Homeschool Guidelines
Field Trip Photographs, May 2004
Preparing for a Naturalist Center Visit with Your School Group
iWonder Project - Native American Cultural Study Through Pottery Shards, 1996-1997
iWonder Unit Plan - Extensive Study of the Barn Owl
iWonder Announcement, 2006-2007
iWonder Curriculum Units and Lesson Plans
iWonder Workshop Brochure
Naturalist Center Workshops, 1986-1987
Anthropology Identification Day - Docent Handouts, 1989
Paleontology Identification Day - Docent Handouts
Rock and Mineral Identification Day - Docent Handouts, 1989
Exploring Nature in Detail Flyer, October 28, 2006
George Mason University - Darwin for a Day, 2005-2006
Special Events, 1988-1997
Event Publicity, 2008-2009
Lecture Series Posters, 2007-2010
Naturalist Center Open House Initiative, December 4, 1982
"Naturalist Center: Proof that Museum Can do More to Maximize the Learning Potential of Their Collections," by Richard Efthim, March 2006
"Learning How to Read Natural History Objects: A Naturalist Center Approach," 1984
Box 4
30th Anniversary Lecture Series, 2007
Fossil Fest, 2007
Congressional Night, 1998
Young Collectors Day, 1997
Identi-Day, 2001
Identi-Day, 2000
Identi-Day, 1999
Identi-Day, 1998
Identi-Day, 1997
Identi-Day, 1996
Identi-Day, 1994
Identi-Day, 1993
Identi-Day, 1992
Identi-Day, 1991
Identi-Day, 1990
Identi-Day, 1987-1989
Identi-Day Publicity, 1987-1999
Draw-In, 2002
Draw-In, 2001
Draw-In, 2000
Draw-In, 1999
Draw-In, 1998
Draw-In, 1997
Draw-In, 1996
Draw-In, 1994
Draw-In, 1993
Draw-In, 1992
Draw-In, 1991
Draw-In, 1988-1990
Draw-In, 1985-1987
Draw-In Publicity, 1988-1989
Giveaways, 1989-1992
Anthropology Events, 1987-1989
Folder 1 Naturalist Center Posters and Prints
Folder 2 Naturalist Center Identification Series Posters
- Finding Aid encoded on: 3-23-2020
- Contact us at osiaref@si.edu