Santa Barbara County CA Archives History - Books .....The Santa Barbara Natural History Society 1891
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Book Title: A Memorial And Biographical History Of The Counties Of Santa Barbara, Ventura, And San Luis Obispo

THE SANTA BARBARA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

  In December, 1876, this society was organized with a list of twenty-one
members and the following officers: President, Rev. Stephen Bowers; Vice
Presidents, Mrs. Ellwood Cooper, H. C. Ford, L. N. Dimmick; Treasurer, Dr.
Mason; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. H. G. Otis; Recording Secretary, Miss Abbie
I. Hails; Curator, Prof. Alphonse Bel.

  The objects of the society, as set forth in its constitution, are, "The
increase and diffusion of knowledge of the natural sciences, by the
establishment of a museum, the reading and publication of original papers," etc.

  For the first two years of its existence, the society met in the Santa Barbara
College building. Its property at this time consisted of a few specimens,
contained in one case, and a few books and pamphlets. Removing hence, the
society occupied until 1883 a place in the public library, owned by the I. O. O.
F. During this period, little progress was made. In 1883 a new impetus was given
by the transfer of about 1,200 volumes of Government publications, which had
been in charge of the Santa Barbara College. Funds were now donated by the
citizens for the purchase of necessary furniture and book-cases.

  In 1884 the society removed from rented rooms to two fine rooms adjoining the
Free Public Library, liberally offered by the proprietors of the Clock Building.
During this year, from the proceeds of an entertainment given by the citizens,
there was purchased a collection of archaeological specimens, valued at $300.

  For many years, large numbers of fine ethnological and archaeological
specimens, impossible to replace, had been unearthed and carried from this
section by Government expeditions, agents of foreign museums, collectors for
institutions in other States, and innumerable individuals collecting for
speculation. The Natural History Society has done energetic and most desirable
service in checking this movement, and in collecting and preserving for the use
of this section relics thereunto appertaining. The museum and library have been
steadily increasing, by donations and by purchase. This society's library is a
depository-and the only one south of San Francisco-of all the publications
issued by the United States Government, exceedingly useful as works of
reference. These rooms are accessible to all during the public library hours,
but books may be taken out only by members of the society.

  The museum contains: In entomology, 299 species; ornithology, 85 mounted
birds, 6 nests, 132 eggs; mammals, 5 species, mounted; conchology, about 900
species marine and fresh-water shells; Crustacea, 12 marine specimens, numerous
corals; reptiles, 33 species, in alcohol; botanical, marine algas, 330 species;
flowering plants, about 2,000 mounted specimens, 80 miscellaneous varieties;
geological, 69 fossils, corals, crinoids, fish, shells, and insects; minerals,
over 500 specimens; Indian relics, over 700 varieties, very interesting; bound
volumes,2,053; pamphlets and parts of volumes, 8,534; a large painting, by Henry
C. Ford of "the Grizzly Giant," Sequoia gigantea; a stone chair used by the
Incas of South America, found near Guayaquil; numerous photographs and curios.
The present officers of the society are: President, H. C. Ford; Vice Presidents,
L. G. Yates, James W. Calkins, Mrs. A. A. Boyce; Treasurer, Mrs. Mary A. Ashley;
Corresponding and Recording Secretary, L. G. Yates; Curator and Librarian, Mrs.
C. F. Lord; Publication Committee, H. C. Ford, L. G. Yates.

  The society has a membership of over forty-five, of whom, however, not very
many are active members. It is proper to note that Henry Chapman Ford, president
of the society, is a painter of some distinction, and that to his devotion and
enthusiasm are due his charming etchings and studies in oil of the old missions,
being the only pictures in existence of the entire chain of those historic
structures, now mostly fallen to ruin.

  Dr. Lorenzo Gordin Yates, corresponding and recording secretary, has been
honored by election as a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, a distinction
enjoyed by only six citizens of the United States. Dr. Yates, assisted by John
Gilbert Baker, F. R. S., of the Royal Herbarium at Kew, is about to publish a
list of "All Known Ferns," which will be a valuable contribution to fern knowledge.

  The librarian and curator, Mrs. C. F. Lord, is most energetic, assiduous, and
efficient in her duties, and courteous in her treatment of persons visiting the
rooms.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 
OF THE COUNTIES OF
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura, California

Illustrated

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Prospective Future; with Profuse illustrations of its Beautiful Scenery,
Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and
Biographical Mention of  many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of
to-day,

BY MRS. YDA ADDIS STORKE.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors -will
never achieve anything worthy to he remembered with pride by remote
descendants."—Macaulay.

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1891.

Barlow-Sinclair Printing Co., Chicago.


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