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Forestry Department records

 Collection
Identifier: RG079_022

Scope and Content

The photographs, circa 1908-1940, bulk 1920-1940 include meetings and gatherings of people; various state forests including Cockaponset, Mohawk, Meshomasic, Mattatuck and others; fire towers and fire fighting equipment; lumbering; insects and diseases; educational; boy scout activities; buildings; plantations; and other miscellaneous subjects.

Accession 2013-010 is unprocessed and covers circa 1901-2004. Included is correspondence, fire warden bills, state forestry records, publications, and photographic slides.

Dates

  • circa 1901-2004

Language of Materials

The records are in English.

Historical Note

Connecticut was the first New England state to enact legislation regarding state forests. In 1901 the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at New Haven employed a forester to investigate forestry problems and advise land owners. Shortly after, the General Assembly passed a law making the Experiment Station forester ex-officio state forester. Provision was also made for the purchase of land for state forests largely for experimental and demonstration purposes. The first purchase was a tract of 70 acres in the town of Portland acquired in 1903. In 1905 the state forester also became the state forest fire warden. Town fire wardens would be appointed by the selectmen of the various towns. In 1921 the General Assembly reorganized the state forest administration. The State Park Commission became the State Park and Forest Commission and had authority to appoint the state forester, separating that office from the Experiment Station.1 In 1971, the functions of the Forestry Department were incorporated into the new Department of Environmental Protection.

Endnotes

  1. 1Report of the State Park and Forest Commission to the Governor, For the Fiscal Term Ended June 30, 1922, Hartford, Conn., 1922; Austin F. Hawes, The State Forests of Connecticut and What They Are For, Hartford, Conn., 1934, 5.

Extent

28.25 cubic feet

Abstract

In 1921 the General Assembly reorganized the state forest administration. The State Park Commission became the State Park and Forest Commission and had authority to appoint the state forester, separating that office from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

Provenance

Accession 2013-010 was transferred to the Connecticut State Library from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Forestry Division on September 17, 2012.

Related Material

RG 079:016, Department of Environmental Protection: Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation

RG 079:017, State Park and Forest Commission

Title
RG 079:022, Forestry Department
Subtitle
Inventory of Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Connecticut State Library staff.
Date
2008
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Connecticut State Library Repository

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