History On The Road

THE HISTORY SOCIETY By Steven Anderson

Originally established that capture the personal perspective and Library includes journals, historic pam- as the Forest Products experiences of public and private phlets, newsletters, corporate reports, and History Foundation in leaders. other literature spanning a broad range of 1946, the Forest His - Housing more than 11,000 volumes, topics. Scholars can browse the open stacks tory Society (FHS) is including one book published 400 years in the library, which can result in discov- the only international ago, the Society’s Carl A. Weyerhaeuser eries that may lead their research in new organization solely ded- icated to preserving the documents of forest history and helping people use them. FHS has preserved diaries, correspondence, manuscripts, music, maps, photographs, film, and much more from businesses, governments, and individuals. Generations of students, scholars, landown- ers, journalists, and many others have relied on FHS for historical records, but also for insight and inspiration as they explore the relationship of humans and through time, on topics from wood and paper prod- ucts to wilderness and nature philosophy and ethics. Their work, in turn, enhances the public’s understanding of the rich story of conservation. As the only specialized library and archive focused on forest history around the globe, the Forest History Society is the best place to begin any research endeavor on this subject. Now that has been made even easier. In January 2019, FHS moved to its new headquarters, located on an 8.6- acre wooded tract of land in Durham, . The Alvin J. Huss Archival Collection includes the records of the American Tree Farm System, the Society of American Foresters, the National Forest Products Association, the International Society of Tropical Foresters, the Weyerhaeuser Company, and American Forests—the old- est citizen’s conservation group in the , with records dating back to 1875. FHS maintains a collection of more than 30,000 photographs, lantern slides, and films of diverse activities like early lum- bering techniques, foresters at work, and policy makers in debate. In addition, the Society’s acclaimed oral history program has produced more than 300 interviews The new headquarters of the Forest History Society.

60 FOREST HISTORY TODAY | SPRING/FALL 2018 directions. The Society’s grant program at a premium and off-site storage had to vide proper conditions for housing them. helps support travel for researchers to work be rented to hold the growing collections. The new location, with close proximity onsite, allowing them access to its wide- The ensuing years further highlighted the to three major research universities, will ranging resources all in one place. For vulnerability of the Society’s irreplaceable substantially increase the Society’s visi- those who cannot travel to FHS, the staff resources and the critical need for new bility and accessibility within the local fields inquiries from scholars and facilities. and regional community. The Lynn W. researchers worldwide. Thirty-five years after moving from Day Education Center offers meeting In 1984, the Forest History Society California, FHS has moved into its new space for the local community, but with moved cross country and into a 5,000- headquarters, a facility specifically built the ability to live-stream presentations to square-foot insurance building in Durham, as a library and archive that triples the a global audience. In short, this genera- North Carolina—the Society’s first home original’s square footage and allows room tion’s leaders and supporters have done of its own. After expanding and remodel- for future expansion. As the Forest all they could to prepare the organization ing it to serve as a library and archive, History Society’s extensive collections for the next 30 years and beyond. FHS’s visionary leaders and supporters continue to grow each year, the new facil- had done all they could to prepare the ity will aid in making all its resources organization for the next 30 years. Less broadly accessible through digitization Steven Anderson is president and CEO of the than twenty years later, though, space was and web-based outreach as well as pro- Forest History Society. JAMES G. LEWIS

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The new FHS building incorporates several wood species throughout, even in the exhibit hall. The majority of the wood was donated by companies from around the United States. CHRIS HILDRETH/ROOSTERMEDIA

Donated materials also include large etched glass panels that provide a quiet reading nook in the library.

62 FOREST HISTORY TODAY | SPRING/FALL 2018 We would like to thank the following companies for their in-kind donations of materials for our new home!

Atlanta Hardwood Corporation Hancock Natural Resources Group Rossi Group Mableton, Boston, Massachusetts Middletown, Connecticut Hardwood architectural moldings Hand-etched glass panels in Library Hardwood boards for Library shelving

Baillie Lumber Company Huber Engineered Woods Russwood Library Shelving Hamburg, New York Charlotte, North Carolina Raleigh, North Carolina Lobby and Exhibit Hall flooring Wall and roof sheathing Institutional furniture manufacturer

Buchanan Hardwoods Humboldt Redwood Company Seven Islands Land Company Aliceville, Scotia, California Bangor, Maine Library flooring Trellises at entrances Hardwood flooring in Education Center

Columbia Forest Products The Langdale Company Sierra Pacific Industries Greensboro, North Carolina Valdosta, Georgia Anderson, California Hardwood panels in Lobby, Framing lumber and wood blocking Aluminum-clad wood windows Exhibit Hall, and Library Library entrance wood curtain wall

DTW Architects & Planners, Ltd. LP Building Solutions Structural Wood Systems Durham, North Carolina Nashville, Greenville, Alabama Exhibit rails and accessories Fire-rated sheathing and subflooring Roof decking and glulam staining for Exhibit Hall JAMES G. LEWIS

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