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Powell Society records, 1956-2008

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Powell Society
Title
Powell Society records
Dates
1956-2008 (inclusive)
Quantity
5 boxes, (2.5 linear feet)
Collection Number
ACCN 2486
Summary
The Powell Society was incorporated in 1969 in order to promote the general study of the canyons of the American West, the study of the Colorado River Basin, and the study of John Wesley Powell and his work, and also to facilitate the publication of materials generated by these studies. These are their official records, as collected by Dr. Henry W. Toll during his time as president of the society (1969-2008). Materials cover all aspects of the society's activity, whether administrative, scholarly, or recreational in nature.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The Powell Society was incorporated in 1969 (the 100th anniversary of John Wesley Powell's historic first expedition down the Colorado River) in order to promote the general study of the canyons of the American West, the study of the Colorado River Basin, and the study of John Wesley Powell and his work, and also to facilitate the publication of materials generated by these studies. The Powell Society went on to produce a number of popular river-running guides, as well as In the Footsteps of John Wesley Powell, a book/photo essay comparing photos from Powell's 1871 expedition to modern (1969) photos taken from the same locations.

The initial (and only) trustees of the Powell Society were David Gaskill, Robert Gaskill, Felix Mutschler, George Simmons, Henry W. Toll, Jr., Lydia Toll, and George Ogura. Most of the material in this collection was created by or for these seven individuals. In addition to their more scholarly pursuits, the Powell Society also met frequently for recreational river expeditions, the records of which are also included in this collection. As of 2012, the Powell Society seems to be inactive, likely due to the death of Dr. Toll in 2008.

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Content Description

The Powell Society records consist of subject files that were created by the donor, and contain correspondence, clippings, and publications on a variety of subjects relevant to the Society's interests. The separated correspondence is primarily to and from Henry Toll, of both a personal and official nature. River trip materials detail the planning, logistics, application process, and actual experience of the trip itself.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The subject files are organized alphabetically by subject. Correspondence is organized chronologically by date, excepting certain correspondence separated for its relevance to a specific subject. River trip materials are organized chronologically by the date of the trip.

Acquisition Information

Donated by John Weisheit in 2009.

Processing Note

Processed by Michael Bills in 2012.

Separated Materials

Photographs have been photocopied and the originals tranferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Subject Files

    Subjects including the various publications of the Society, members of the society, news and political topics relevant to the Society, etc.

    • Description: The Alsek River- "Alaska's Devil River" Materials
      Dates: 1973-1993
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
    • Description: Annual Reports
      Dates: 1971-2009
      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
    • Description: Boatman's Quarterly Review: "Nels Niemi"
      Dates: 2005-2007
      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
    • Description: Boating Permits
      Dates: 1981-1985
      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
    • Description: "A Canyon Voyage" by F.S. Dellenbaugh, Reviewed by Henry W. Toll
      Dates: 1984
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
    • Description: "Canoes Down the Santiago" by Tom Cooper
      Dates: 1970s
      Container: Box 1, Folder 6
    • Description: Certificate of Incorporation
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
    • Description: Colorado River Expedition 1968
      Dates: 1998-2008
      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
    • Description: CD-ROM Correspondence
      Dates: 1994
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
    • Description: Dinosaur National Monument Wilderness Proposal Materials
      Dates: 1971-1983
      Container: Box 1, Folder 10
    • Description: " Dolores" article by Zeke Scher, Materials
      Dates: 1970s
      Container: Box 1, Folder 11
    • Description: Dolores River General Materials File
      Dates: 1966-1981
      Container: Box 1, Folder 12
    • Description: Dolores River Notes
      Dates: 1971-1976
      Container: Box 1, Folder 13
    • Description: Escalante River Info
      Dates: 1979-1984
      Container: Box 1, Folder 14
    • Description: John Wesley Powell Stamp First Day Issue
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box 1, Folder 15
    • Description: Glen Canyon Dam Materials
      Dates: 1983-2001
      Container: Box 1, Folder 16
    • Description: In the Footsteps of John Wesley Powell Materials
      Dates: 1988-2002
      Container: Box 2, Folder 1
    • Description: Log Picture Covers
      Container: Box 2, Folder 2
    • Description: P.S. Lecture: "The Grand Canyon and John Wesley Powell" by Edwin McKee
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box 2, Folder 3
    • Description: Magazine Articles on Rivers
      Dates: 1969-1973
      Container: Box 2, Folder 4
    • Description: Mailing List
      Container: Box 2, Folder 5
    • Description: Minutes Book
      Dates: 1969-1971
      Container: Box 2, Folder 6
    • Description: Mutschler, Felix
      Dates: 2002-2005
      Container: Box 2, Folder 7
    • Description: River Flow Advisories
      Dates: 1972-1976
      Container: Box 2, Folder 8
    • Description: Trail and Timberline #653 May 1973: "River of Sorrow" article by Henry W. Toll
      Dates: 1972-1973
      Container: Box 2, Folder 9
    • Description: River Trip Applications
      Dates: 1981-1990
      Container: Box 2, Folder 10
    • Description: Tax Records
      Dates: 1969-1993
      Container: Box 2, Folder 11
    • Description: Republication Correspondence and Materials
      Dates: 1959-2005
      Container: Box 2, Folder 12
    • Description: Yampa River Supplement
      Container: Box 2, Folder 13
  • General Materials

    • Description: Correspondence

      Official correspondence of the Powell Society, organized by date. In addition to Correspondence by Date, Box 4 contains "Special Correspondence" to and from Hal Stephens, Gene Shoemaker, and Bradford Washburn.

      Dates: 1969-2006
      Container: Box 3-4
    • Description: River Trips

      This box contains correspondence, documents, photographs, and notes related to river trips taken by the Powell Society.

      Dates: 1956-2006
      Container: Box 5

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Canyons--West (U.S.)

Personal Names

  • Powell, John Wesley, 1834-1902

Corporate Names

  • Powell Society

Geographical Names

  • Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings
  • Correspondence
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