Winton Weydemeyer papers

Winton Weydemeyer papers, 1908-1992

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Weydemeyer, Winton W., 1903-1993
Title: Winton Weydemeyer papers
Dates: 1908-1992 (inclusive)
19081992
Quantity: 3.25 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 696
Summary: This collection includes Winton Weydemeyer’s bird study records consisting of annual bird counts, Montana bird species records, Montana bird lists, migration and nesting records, and bird song notes.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Winton W. Weydemeyer was born March 19, 1903 in Cass City, Michigan to Harry and Margaret Weydemeyer. He was raised in Fortine, Montana, attended Lincoln County High School, and graduated with honors from Montana State University in Bozeman. He ranched near Fortine, but is best known for his many public service activities that ranged from agriculture to bird study and conservation. He served for twenty years as Master of the Montana State Grange, eighteen years as an officer of the National Grange, and helped organize three state-wide citizen conservation organizations. As a state senator in the 1951 and 1953 legislative sessions, he established conservation education in the state’s public schools.

Weydemeyer served on many governmental and educational committees, commissions, boards and councils, and, for sixteen years, was a governor’s appointee to the Montana Water Pollution Council. He received both national and state awards for his considerable service activities. Winton Weydemeyer was a lifelong student of ornithology and contributed more than 150 articles and notes to professional journals. The first article appeared in 1923 and he contributed his last published note in 1992. He also published three books: The Bird Life of Lake Bowdoin, Montana; A Grange Master’s America – In Defense of Freedom; and Picture Taking in Glacier Park. His published works and bird study records reflect the meticulous attention to detail that directed his approach to science. Weydemeyer died February 4, 1993.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of Weydemeyer’s bird study records including annual bird counts, Montana bird species records, Montana bird lists, migration and nesting records, and bird song notes. A series of correspondence contains communication with the University of Montana, the Bureau of Biological Survey, and fellow birders.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Winton Weydemeyer Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection has been divided into two series:

Series I: Bird Study Records, 3.0 linear feet, 1908-1992

Series II: Correspondence, 0.25 linear feet, 1928-1990

Custodial History

The chain of ownership is not documented, but it is likely this collection was held by Weydemeyer until his death and was then held by Weydemeyer's wife until she gave it to Phil Wright.

Acquisition Information

Weydemeyer’s wife Hallie donated the collection to Phil Wright, who then donated it to the K. Ross Toole Archives in December 1995.

Processing Note

This collection was previously contained in large four-ring binders and loose leaf notebooks labeled by the compiler. Materials were largely kept in original order, with the exception of the organization of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and alphabetizing by subject.

Related Materials

The Montana Historical Society also holds a collection of Winton Weydemeyer papers relating to Montana State Grange, Montana Conservation Council correspondence, and legislative records. The University of Montana's archives holds the Montana Conservation Council Records which contain photos taken by Winton Weydemeyer between 1949 and 1957.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Bird Study Records, 1908-1992Return to Top

3.0 linear feet

This series contains Winton Weydemeyer’s collection of ornithology records for Montana and some material related to Canada and the western United States. The Montana Birds Species Records contain some directly related correspondence and newspaper clippings. Folders containing “original records” include Weydemeyer’s earliest observations which were later recorded into the Montana Birds Species Records. Weydemeyer’s bird workbooks were previously labeled “personal use only.” He has indicated that these records contain some inaccuracies, but shows his early acquaintance with birds. Migration records show the order of arrival and fall departure.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	American Birds Report	1954-1976
1/2	American Birds Report	1976-1992
1/3	Bird checklist, American Ornithologists' Union	1931-1973
1/4	Bird checklist, Department of Zoology, University of Montana	1940
1/5	Bird checklist, Lincoln County	1923-1990
1/6	Bird checklist, Ralph L. Hand	1969
1/7	Bird checklist, Weydemeyer and others	undated
1/8	Bird count, Bozeman and Libby	1908-1984
1/9	Bird count, Christmas	1978-1992
1/10	Bird protection laws	undated
1/11	Bird publication templates, miscellaneous	1943-1973
1/12	Bird references	circa 1950
1/13	Bird studies needed	1931-1981
1/14	Bird workbook, bird descriptions and measurements	1921-1973
1/15	Bird workbook, chronology of species known	1922-1927
1/16	Bird workbook, five-minute lists	1922-1932
1/17	Bird workbook, identification	undated
1/18	Bird workbook, Lincoln County bird lists	1921-1984
1/19	Bird workbook, Montana bird lists	1920-1970
1/20	Bird workbook, observations	1921-1923
1/21	Bird workbook, unidentified species	1921-1943
2/1	Bird references, general notes	undated
2/2	Breeding Bird Census; farm land, forest land, and cut-over land census	1928-1931
2/3	Field notes, butterflies and moths	1927-1971
2/4	Field notes, flora and trees	undated
2/5	General bird notes	1913-1947
2/6	General bird notes by species	1927-1992, folder 1 of 2
2/7	General bird notes by species	1927-1992, folder 2 of 2
2/8	General bird notes by species, descriptions and habitats	1921-1977
2/9	Migration, Bureau of Biological Survey summaries	1935-1939
2/10	Migration, Montana birds' winter range	undated
2/11	Miscellaneous publications, Bald Eagle Survey	1979
2/12	Miscellaneous publications, Birds of the Bozeman Latilong	1969
2/13	Miscellaneous publications, Field Notes on Wildlife, Birds of Western Montana	1939-1940
2/14	Miscellaneous publications, Montana Fish and Game Department News	1958-1959
2/15	Miscellaneous publications, Mountain Grouse Investigations in Montana by Fred Hartkorn	1953
2/16	Miscellaneous publications, references and sources	1922-1983
3/1	Miscellaneous publications, Western Montana Bird Checklist	1939
3/2	Miscellaneous records, Saunders' published bird records	1927-1936
3/3	Montana Academy of Sciences, proceedings	1919-1972
3/4	Montana bird song, bibliography and sources	1912-1951
3/5	Montana bird song, classified	1925-1949
3/6	Montana bird song, unclassified	1921-1968
3/7	Montana bird song notes by species; Grouse, Coot, Rail	1928-1976
38	Montana bird song notes by species; Gulls, Terns, Doves, Owls	1921-1936
3/9	Montana bird song notes by species; Highlark and Swallows	1930-1932
310	Montana bird song notes by species; Icteridae and Tanagers	1928-1981
3/11	Montana bird song notes by species; Jays, Chickadees, Nuthatches	1924-1969
3/12	Montana bird song notes by species; Kinglets, Pipits, Strikes	1923-1938
3/13	Montana bird song notes by species; Loons, Grebes, Heron, Bittern	1927-1939
3/14	Montana bird song notes by species; Nighthawks, Swifts, Hummers	1929-1940
3/15	Montana bird song notes by species; Dipper, Wrens, Thrashers	1924-1939
3/16	Montana bird song notes by species; Raptores	1930-1935
3/17	Montana bird song notes by species; shore birds	1927-1938
3/18	Montana bird song notes by species; Sparrow family	1923-1974
3/19	Montana bird song notes by species; Swans, Geese, Ducks	1932-1940
3/20	Montana bird song notes by species; Vireos and Warblers	1928-1991
3/21	Montana bird song notes by species; Woodpeckers and Flycatchers	1926-1973
3/22	Montana birds species records; Bobolink, Meadowlark, Blackbird, Orioles	1921-1986
3/23	Montana birds species records; Chickadees and Nuthatches	1921-1990
3/24	Montana birds species records; Doves and Owls	1921-1990
3/25	Montana birds species records; Dowitcher, Snipe, Phalarope	1921-1989
3/26	Montana birds species records; Ducks	1921-1992
3/27	Montana birds species records; Finches, Redpoll, Crossbills, Grosbeaks	1921-1991
3/28	Montana birds species records; Flycatchers	1921-1987
3/29	Montana birds species records; Grouse	1921-1991
3/30	Montana birds species records; Gulls and Terns	1921-1988
3/31	Montana birds species records; Highlarks and Swallows	1921-1991
3/32	Montana birds species records; Jays, Crow, Raven	1921-1984
3/33	Montana birds species records; Juncos	1920-1991
3/34	Montana birds species records; Kingfisher and Woodpeckers	1921-1991
3/35	Montana birds species records; Longspurs and Snow-Bunting	1921-1989
3/36	Montana birds species records; Loon and Grebes	1921-1991
4/1	Montana birds species records; Nighthawk, Swifts, Hummingbirds	1921-1992
4/2	Montana birds species records; Pelican, Heron, Bittern	1921-1991
4/3	Montana birds species records; Pipit, Waxwings, Shrike, Starling	1921-1991
4/4	Montana birds species records; Plovers and Avocet	1921-1990
4/5	Montana birds species records; Rail and Coot	1922-1991
4/6	Montana birds species records; Raptores	1921-1991
4/7	Montana birds species records; Sandpipers and Godwits	1921-1990
4/8	Montana birds species records; Swan and Geese	1922-1992
4/9	Montana birds species records; Sparrows and Juncos	1921-1991
4/10	Montana birds species records; Tanager, Towhee, Buntings, Black-headed Grosbeak	1920-1989
4/11	Montana birds species records; Thrushes, Catbird Thrashers	1921-1991
4/12	Montana birds species records; Vireos	1921-1984
4/13	Montana birds species records; Warblers	1921-1990
4/14	Montana birds species records; Wrens, Dipper, Kinglets	1921-1978
4/15	Montana birds, state and local lists; Central, Highline, Canada	1925-1946
4/16	Montana birds, state and local lists; Flathead Lake	1931-1939
4/17	Montana birds, state and local lists; Glacier Park	1929-1958
4/18	Montana birds, state and local lists; Helena, Butte, Bozeman	1921-1958
4/19	Montana birds, state and local lists; Judith Basin	1920-1926
4/20	Montana birds, state and local lists; Lincoln County	1922-1981
4/21	Montana birds, state and local lists; Missoula area	1934-1935
4/22	Montana birds, state and local lists; Montana trips	1921-1929
4/23	Montana wildlife refuges, Bowdoin Lake	1932-1946
4/24	Montana wildlife refuges, pamphlets and information	1936-1979
4/25	Nesting records	1921-1923
4/26	Nesting records	1921-1941
5/1	Nesting Records	1936-1991
5/2	Newspaper clippings, miscellaneous	1928-1988
5/3	Occurrence records, season notes, Lincoln County	1922-1991
5/4	Occurrence records and general notes; water birds	1927-1970 (folder 1 of 2)
5/5	Occurrence records and general notes; water birds	1971-1991 (folder 2 of 2)
5/6	Original daily occurrence records	1924-1930
5/7	Original daily occurrence records	1931-1935
5/8	Original daily occurrence records	1936-1944
5/9	Original field notes	1952-1959
6/1	Original migration records, Fortine locality	1921-1992
6/2	Original migration records by species	1920-1972
6/3	Original migration records by species	1920-1972
6/4	Published bird records	1923-1992
6/5	Published bird records, Montana Bird Distribution Project	1983-1984
6/6	Report on the Suitability of Meadow Spring Ranch for the Establishment of a State Bird Reservation	1923
6/7	Western United States birds	1939-1974

Series II: Correspondence, 1928-1990Return to Top

0.25 linear ft.

: Included in this series is correspondence between Weydemeyer and other bird researchers. Correspondence with The University of Montana contains communication with Phil Wright, Department of Zoology, and Riley McLelland, School of Forestry.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
6/8	Correspondence, Art Aylesworth	1982
6/9	Correspondence, Bald Eagle Study	1968-1977
6/10	Correspondence, Bureau of Biological Survey	1928-1945
6/11	Correspondence, Charles Schmid	1972-1980
6/12	Correspondence, Donald A. Spencer	1976-1977
6/13	Correspondence, government agencies	1975-1983
6/14	Correspondence, mailing lists and contacts	1973-1976
6/15	Correspondence, miscellaneous	1965-1987
6/16	Correspondence, miscellaneous schools and universities	1952-1990
6/17	Correspondence, Ralph Hand	1970-1974
6/18	Correspondence, Thomas Rogers	1952-1972
6/19	Correspondence, the University of Montana and Montana State University	1968-1989

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