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Syracuse University Geology Department Records

An inventory of its records at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2016

Revision history:

Historical Note

Geology as a subject has been taught at Syracuse University since the early 1870s. Alexander Winchell, Syracuse University’s first chancellor, had a background in geology as well as mineralogy, zoology, and botany and taught some early classes in geology. The first classes in geology were held in the Hall of Languages and some were also taught in downtown Syracuse. Geology was a requirement for students in the classical curriculum. In 1876, Frank Smalley graduated with the first Syracuse University graduate degree in geology. In the early days of the Department, professors included Frank Smalley, Charles Henry Richardson and Thomas Cramer Hopkins. By 1905, the Geology Club was formed and two years later, the Department moved into Lyman Hall. Additionally the geology fraternity, Pi Eta Sigma, was started in 1915 and lasted at the University about ten years.

The New York State Geological Association was largely rooted in Syracuse. The first intercollegiate geological field meeting was held in Central New York in 1925 and was organized by Harry N. Eaton, who was a Syracuse University professor. After World War II, the Department, then known as the Department of Geology and Geography, split into two separate departments making Earl T. Apfel the first official chair of the Geology Department. Apfel served as chair until 1958 when William M. Merrill assumed the role. In 1972, the Heroy Geology Laboratory was dedicated and opened, and the Geology Department moved from Lyman Hall into the new building. In 1993, the Department of Geology changed to the Department of Earth Sciences, although the name on the degree did not change until 2009.

Scope and Content Note

The Syracuse University Geology Department Records span from 1874 to 1991 and include materials related to its faculty, students and classes as part of the College of Arts and Sciences. The majority of the collection dates from the 1920s to the 1970s. Materials include department newsletters, materials relating to the New York State Geological Association, and minutes from the clubs of the Department.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years. Requests to use restricted records must be obtained in writing from the office of origin.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The Archives holds a clipping file and photograph file on the Geology Department.

The Thomas Cramer Hopkins Papers are also located in the Archives.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. -- Department of Geology.

Subjects

Geology.
New York State Geological Association.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Geological maps.
Minute books.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Syracuse University Geology Department Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

The Geology Department transferred its records to the Archives starting in 1982.

Processing Information

Materials were housed in archival folders and boxes.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Records

Inventory