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American Chemical Society, Western New York Section records

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0045

Scope and Contents

The records, 1896-2005, of the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society include correspondence, minutes, reports, a file of the "Double Bond", and other records of the section, the earliest records are a minute book containing the constitution, by-laws, and minutes of the Chemical Society of Western New York for 1900 to 1902, with some notes by Dr. Albert P. Sy of the University of Buffalo on the American Chemical Society's meetings held in Buffalo, New York in 1896 and 1905; and a minute book, 1905-1917, of the Western New York Section. Other records include Executive Committee minutes, 1918-1973; annual reports, 1950-1974; treasurer's reports; budgets, membership directories, rosters of officers, files on the Schoellkopf and other awards; job manuals; correspondence; files on the national meetings of the American Chemical Society held in Buffalo in 1919, 1931, 1942, and 1952; photographs; newspaper clippings; a scrapbook of the Golden Anniversary celebration in 1955; publications including a file of the "Double Bond", 1931-1981; copies of the Fifty Year History (1955) of the Western New York Section; publications of the American Chemical Society and other records. The "Double Bond" includes announcements of meetings and biographies of speakers, membership lists, by-laws, minutes, and other records of the activities of the section.

Dates

  • 1896-2005

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material in English.

Terms of Access

The Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society records, 1896-2005, are open for research.

Historical Note

At the thirteenth general meeting of the American Chemical Society held August 21-22, 1896, in Buffalo, New York, chemists of Western New York first expressed and interest in organizing a local section. In 1900, the Chemical Society of Western New York was founded which was chartered as the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society on August 18, 1905. The Western New York Section includes the counties of Erie and Niagara in the State of New York and the county of Welland in the Province of Ontario. The object of the section is to increase interest in chemistry by providing opportunities for members to meet and discuss subjects of chemical interest; by encouraging the dissemination of general chemical knowledge within its boundaries; by cooperating, when desired, in a professional advisory capacity with local civil officers and civic bodies; and promoting the interests of the American Chemical Society. Membership is limited to members of the American Chemical Society residing within the territory of the section and those residing outside the territory who have made suitable arrangements for enrollment. In September 1928, the first issue of the section's magazine, the "Double Bond", was published. The name reflects the duality of chemical interests and activities centered in Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The Schoellkopf Medal was established in 1929 by Jacob F. Schoellkopf of the National Aniline Division of the Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, who had been active in building the chemical industry of the Niagara Frontier. Schoellkopf created a trust fund, the income of which was to provide a gold medal to be awarded each year by the WNY-ACS to persons for notable achievement toward the objectives of the American Chemical Society, regardless of membership in the ACS.

The information above is taken from the "Fifty Year History" (1955) of the Western New York Section, ACS, and from the section's by-laws of 1957.

Extent

18.5 Linear Feet (15 cartons)

Abstract

This collections consists of records and publications from the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society dating from its inception in 1896.

Arrangement

The records of the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society were kept by various officers and committees and at several locations before being deposited in the University Archives. Wherever possible, the Archives has kept the original record series and filing orders intact. For the period after circa 1950, there are a number of record series which overlap both chronologically and by subject. Persons using these records are cautioned that folders on any given topic may be found in more than one series.

Acquisition Information

Deposited in the University Archives of the State University of New York at Buffalo by the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society on January 11, 1983.

Accruals

Additional materials may be added periodically.

Processing Information

Accessions processed and finding aid updated by Matthew Oliver, October 2015.

Source

Title
Finding Aid for the American Chemical Society, Western New York Section records
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Archives staff.
Date
1983
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
420 Capen Hall
Buffalo New York 14260-1674 US
716-645-2916
716-645-3714 (Fax)