Jewett Observatory Records

Jewett Observatory Records, 1948-1956

Overview of the Collection

Title: Jewett Observatory Records
Dates: 1948-1956 (inclusive)
19481956
Quantity: .25 linear feet of shelf space, (1 box)
Collection Number: Archives 363 (collection)
Summary: Correspondence, plans, specifications, drawings, and other documents relating to the construction of the James Richard Jewett Observatory on the Washington State University campus.
Repository: Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions: This collection is open and available for research use.
Languages: English.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

While Washington State College had previously had one telescope, mounted on top of Carpenter Hall, it had fallen into disrepair. In 1948 Sidney Hacker of the WSC Mathematics Department put together a proposal for a campus observatory. With most of the funding coming from a gift from George F. Jewett in honor of his father, Richard, the observatory was constructed on the southeast edge of campus. It was dedicated on the evening of May 14, 1953.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of correspondence and documentation either created or collected by Sidney G. Hacker of Washington State College’s Department of Mathematics between 1948 and 1956. It deals with the planning and creation of the George Jewett Observatory on the Washington State University campus.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Preferred Citation

[Item Description] Jewett Observatory Records, 1948-1956 (Archives 363)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in subject order. The only real series in the collection is the Correspondence, 1950-1956, and folders in that series are ordered chronologically.

Acquisition Information

The records were donated to the Washington State University Libraries’ Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC) in 1984 by Evelyn Hacker, and retained as MS1984-09.

Processing Note

In 2016, these observatory papers were separated out of Sidney Hacker’s papers, the majority of which dealt with unrelated instructional and personal matters. Hacker had been the first director of the Jewett Observatory. The observatory papers were processed by University Archivist Mark O’English in July, 2016

Separated Materials

Material from this and other Hacker donations, primarily instructional, research, and personal in nature, remains in WSU MASC as MSSM.074.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Folder
1	Blueprint, 32" & 30" reflector mounting	1949
2	Construction expenditures	1953
	Correspondence
3		1950
4		1951, Jan.
5		1951, Feb.
6		1951, Mar.-Apr.
7		1951, May-Jun.
8		1951, Aug.-Nov.
9		1952
10		1953-1956
11	Dedication - programs & clippings	1953
12	Drawings & plans	1951
13	Financial estimates	undated
14	History	1953
15	A Report Regarding Proposals for The Observatory of The State College of Washington	1948
16	Set-up instructions for telescope	[1952]
17	Specifications	1951

Archives West Finding Aid

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