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| Title | Tacoma Academy of Science records |
| Finding Aid Identifier | MsSC189 |
| Finding Aid Title | Tacoma Academy of Science records |
| Subject | finding aid; Tacoma Academy of Science; Tacoma Association for the Advancement of Science; science; scrapbook; correspondence; business record; Tacoma, WA; Mount Rainier |
| Abstract | The Tacoma Academy of Science was established in 1891 to promote science, literature, and art in Tacoma, WA. |
| Biography | The Tacoma Academy of Science was established in Tacoma in 1891. Originally named the Tacoma Association for the Advancement of Science, the founders determined that it should be called the Tacoma Academy of Science, its purpose being "the promotion of science, literature, and art" and it would be, "devoted to the presentation of researches in these great fields, and to the pleasant interchange of thought among thinking people." It proudly noted, at the end of its first year, it was, "the first of its kind in the Northwest and for its advancement it confidently claims the brains and service of the intelligent men and women of Tacoma."
The frequent meetings featured at least one paper presented by a member of the Academy. The subjects were varied and many, including such diverse topics as "Solar eclipses: with personal observations of the eclipse of August 1869"Review of Carlyle's Essay on Characteristics"" The metric system of weights and measures" and "Legends and literature." There was an ongoing interest in the controversy over the correct name of Mt. Rainer, the Academy siding with those who argued it should be Mt. Tacoma. The meetings were occasionally visited by such luminaries as Lieut. Frederick Schwatka, Elliott Coues, and Alexander Agassiz. Fay Fuller, the first woman to climb Mt. Rainer, presented a paper, and, although the original was not saved, the text appeared in a local newspaper and was included in a scrapbook.
While the Academy had hoped to establish a library and museum of its own, it developed an association with the newly founded Washington State Historical Society and the Ferry Museum, which provided it with meeting rooms and a location for its library. It appears that the Academy was eventually absorbed into those two organizations. |
| Scope and Content | The records for the first few years are fairly comprehensive, and include a minutes book (1891-1895); copies of papers presented (fragmentary, but mainly 1891-1892); fragmentary correspondence (1891-1899); and a comprehensive scrapbook of newspaper clippings relating to the Academy (1891-1895).
See also: Scrapbook 69 at the Washington State Historical Society. It includes newspaper coverage of the Academy and several pieces of ephemera. |
| Keywords | finding aid; Tacoma Academy of Science; Tacoma Association for the Advancement of Science; science; scrapbook; correspondence; business record; Tacoma, WA; Mount Rainier |
| Inclusive Dates | 1891-1899 |
| Restrictions | None |
| Volume | .5 linear feet |
| Accession number | 2006.0.112 |
| Num of Boxes | 1 |
| Electronic Publisher | Washington State Historical Society |
| Contributors | Washington State Historical Society |
| Object Type | text/pdf |
| Relation | http://www.washingtonwomenshistory.org/themes/collections/wshs_womens.aspx |
| Coverage | Tacoma, WA ; Mt. Rainier |
| Rights | Property of the Washington State Historical Society - All Rights Reserved |
| Data Entry | kam |
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