Forestry and forestry consultant Herbert L. Plumb was born in 1889 in upstate New York. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912 and a Masters of Science degree in Forestry in 1914, both from the University of Michigan. Plumb assessed the value of stands of timber (known as "cruising" timber) in Index, Washington in 1912, and in 1914, after completing graduate school, he began his career with the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest. While working for the Forest Service, Plumb spent ten years in the Olympic Forest Reserve service in Washington State, six years in Oregon headquartered at Deschutes, and several years in Portland. In 1926, he married Helen Carson. Plumb was Supervisor of Snoqualmie National Forest from 1939-1950, working from the staff offices in Seattle. After leaving the U.S. Forest Service, he worked as a private forest consultant and also managed Sparkeel Tree Farm in Olympia, WA.
Images of the Plumb family and old Plumb homestead, 1920s-1950s. Also includes photographs relating to the U.S. Forest Service and logging activities in the Pacific Northwest, particularly on the Olympic Peninsula.
The collection is open to the public.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Some materials in the collection were donated by Herbert L. Plumb in 1970; the rest were donated after Plumb's death by his daughter, Mrs. Betsy Piper.
Gift of Herbert L. Plumb, 1970; gift of Mrs. Betsy Piper, 1993.
Processed by Sarah Julsonnet, 2010; processed by Elizabeth Russell, 2011.
Photographs were relocated from the Herbert L. Plumb Papers, MSS Accession No. 1480-4 in the repository.
Images of the Plumb family (Herbert Lansing Plumb, Maurice Plumb, Christopher Paul Piper, Polly Joy Plumb, and Abigail Donaldson Plumb) and residences, 1920s-1950s.
According to accompanying material, the old Plumb Homestead (called "Stone House") was built in 1839. H.L. Plumb never lived in this house; it belonged to his grandfather.
According to accompanying material, this is most likely the house H.L. Plumb lived in with his mother and brother in Malone, NY.
L to R: Herbert L. Plumb, Maurice Plumb, Polly Joy Plumb (Maurice's wife), Mrs. Joy (Polly's mother), and in front, Christopher Paul Piper (grandson).
Photographs relating to the U.S. Forest Service and/or logging activities, especially in the Olympic Peninsula, U.S. Ranger Station and Dosewallips River.
Written on verso: Off for Montreal via Rouseo Point.
Written on verso: Returning from Mt. Baker road inspection on Sound Lbr. Co. gas engine, Snoqualamie.
Written on verso: Corrigendarst, Bruckart, Denny Ahl, Bill Bryan, Bob Martin, Herb Plumb.
Written on verso: Taken from camp last August on Constance Pass about 11 o'clock p.m.
Written on verso: In the meadows just below the shelter. E.B.F.
Written on verso: Idaho Shelter & 50 Cat. Wed. E.B.F.
From accompanying material: December 17, 1941 letter from Frederic A. Delano to Herbert Plumb thanking him for the pictures of his visit which was an "interesting, if pretty strenuous, trip."
Photo is labeled 'Franklin Delano'; this is a mistake, as the man pictured is Frederic Delano.
Written on verso of 19a: Mud Mt. Dam on White River, Franklin Delano, Nat'l Resources Committee
Written on verso of 19b: Franklin Delano, Marriam and Yantis at Mud Mt. Dam
Photos are labeled 'Franklin Delano' which is a mistake, the man is actually Frederic Delano
Written on verso: "Happy Birthday to you" Maurice, Polly and Bill here but did not take this trip.
Written on verso: The Dalles Camp D.F. 9'11" "The main 10' tree due for Harvard - Did that Graflex work? Had to retouch this a bit to outline the dark side. Local Federal Forest man told me today of some virgin white pine on state land he saw - 30" in diameter!"
Written on verso: This plantation lost by dense growth due to turning over sod with plow.
Written on verso: Sec. 36 T36N. R5E. 18" sound wood butt, 10" sound wood top.
Written on verso: Landing in 5.36 T36 N R5E Nettleton Logging.
Written on verso: Sec. 36T 36N R5E, 40" log rotten heart.
Written on verso: S36T36NR5E, Typical heart rot, 36" log.
Written on verso: "Chick Sales" a la Olympic Forest.
Written on verso: "Why should anyone be allowed to dump cans etc in a beauty spot like this?"
Written on verso: Tree cut near Mineral, Washington.
Man on far left is Herbert Plumb.
A New Year's card from Asahel Curtis to Herbert Plumb.
Herbert Plumb appears to be using some kind of telephone.
Written on photo: Land rental. Loss of [illeg.]. timber value.