2018-05-07 Preliminary Inventory of the American Polar Society Records, 1932-2025 SPEC.PA.56.0016 Finding aid prepared by Devon Boerman and John Hooton; Ashleigh Minor; Casey Blackmore; David Mezick Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2018 March; 2019 November; 2024 October; 2026 January This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-02-05T10:23-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard American Polar Society Records SPEC.PA.56.0016 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 4.52 Cubic feet 1932-2025 The American Polar Society, founded in 1935 by August Howard, is, as of 2018, an organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging research and exploration of the Arctic and Antarctic as well as preserving polar history. The American Polar Society Records, which date from 1932-2025, contain correspondence, newsletters, periodicals, photographs and audiocassettes that details the activities and publications such as The Polar Times made by the society. (4) 5'' letter document boxes; (2) cartons; (2) flat boxes; (1) 2.5" letter document box; (1) letter file folder English American Polar Society Arrangement of Materials

This collection is partially processed.

The processed part of this collection is arranged in 3 series: Series 1: August Howard, Biographical Series 2: Little America Times Series 3: American Polar Society

Unprocessed additions are listed in three series following the processed portion of the collection.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.1994.0004; Brian Shoemaker, 1994; Accession No. PA.1998.0019: Brian Shoemaker, 1998 April; Accession No. PA.1999.0005: Brian Shoemaker, 1999; Accession No. PA.2019.0006: Charlotte Sinclaire, 2019 November; Accession No. PA.2024.0012: Bob Breyer, 2023 June.

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], American Polar Society Records, SPEC.PA.56.0016, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains audiocassettes and a magnetic tape.

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audio/visual materials and computer media may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Partially processed by Raimund Goerler: 1994. Finding aid written by: Devon Boerman and John Hooton, 2018 March; Ashleigh Minor, 2019 November, Casey Blackmore, 2024 October; David Mezick, 2026 January

 Historical Note

Founded in 1935 by August Howard, the American Polar Society, as of 2018, is an organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging research and exploration of the Arctic and Antarctic. The organization also supports and encourages the preservation and study of polar history. The society celebrates some prominent explorers as honorary members of the organization and observes important polar anniversaries. The society's publication, The Polar Times, first appeared in June 1935 and continued as a biannual magazine related to polar topics. A more extensive history of the American Polar Society can be found here.

 Scope and Contents

The American Polar Society Records, which dates from 1932-2025, contains correspondence, newsletters, periodicals, biographies, photographs, audiocassettes and a magnetic tape that details the activities and publications made by the society. The collection also contains files concerning honorary members of the American Polar Society.

 American Polar Society Howard, August, 1910-1988 Account books Audiocassettes Periodicals Photographs Polar regions--Discovery and exploration--Societies, etc. Polar times Societies--History, organization, etc.--20th century August Howard, Biographical Series 1 1935-1988 Scope and Contents

The August Howard, Biographical series, dated 1935-1988, contains biographical files, an article and postal stamps either created about or by August Howard, the founder of the American Polar Society. Materials arranged in the order received.

 Biographical Information: August Howard 1 1 1935-1975 Biographical Information: August Howard 1 2 1968-1969 Biographical Information: August Howard 1 3 1947-1968 Biographical Information: August Howard: Letters of Condolence 1 4 1988 "Boy Scouts, History of National Office" by August Howard 1 5 1966 Stamps, Polar 1 6 circa 1948-1952 Little America Times Series 2 1934-1935 Scope and Contents

The Little America Times series, dated 1934-1935, contains editions of the Little America Times, which served as a precursor for The Polar Times. Also included are correspondence and newspaper summaries regarding the Little America Times. Materials are arranged in order received.

 Correspondence and newspaper summaries 1 7 1934-1935 Little America Times numbers 4-18 4 1 1934 April-1935 May American Polar Society Series 3 1932-2025 Scope and Contents

The American Polar Society series, dated 1932-2025, contains correspondence, photographs, an account book, and The Polar Times periodicals that relate to the activities and interests of the American Polar Society. Materials are arranged in order received.

 Constitutions 1 8 1934-1948 Secretary correspondence 1 9 1934-1939 Secretary correspondence 1 10 1940-1944 Secretary correspondence 1 11 1940-1949 Secretary correspondence 1 12 1950-1959 Secretary correspondence 1 13 1960-1965 Secretary correspondence 1 14 1966-1969 Secretary correspondence 1 15 1970-1974 Secretary correspondence 1 16 1975-1979 Secretary correspondence 1 17 1980-1985 Secretary correspondence 1 18 1986-1988 Secretary correspondence 1 19 circa 1934-1979, 1989-1991 Newsletters, newspaper clippings and administrative materials 1 20 1942-1991 Honorary Member Vilhjalmur Stefanson 1 21 1940 Honorary Member David Brainard 1 22 1936 Honorary Member Paul Siple 1 23 1957 Honorary Member Paul Siple 1 23a 1957 Honorary Member Paul Siple 1 23b 1957 Honorary Member Louise A. Boyd 1 24 1959 Honorary Member Thomas Poulter 1 25 circa 1972-1973 Honorary Member Lawrence Gould 1 26 circa 1948-1979 Honorary Member Finn Ronne 1 27 circa 1948-1960 Photographs of people 2 1 1959-1975 Photographs of people 2 2 1949-1975 Photographs of people 2 3 1951-1970 Photographs of Finn Ronne Expedition 2 4 1947-1962 Photographs of polar scenes 2 5 1962-1977 Photographs of polar scenes 2 6 1947-1973 Photographs of polar scenes 2 7 1952-1977 Photographs of polar scenes 2 8 1954-1966 Photographs of Robert Peary, Peary with Stefansson and Adolphus Greely, 1902-1904, 1948 2 9 circa 1970s-1980s Scope and Contents

Photocopies

 Photographs featuring "Polar Times" 2 10 circa 1961 Photographs of Polar Times Glacier 2 11 1959 Photographs of Howard Island 2 12 circa 1966 Photographs of August Howard 2 13 1932-1966 Polar Times Index 2 14 1935-1940 Polar Times Index 2 15 1940-1945 Polar Times number 2, 22, 24, 25 2 16 1936, 1946-1947 Polar Times number 40-49 2 17 1955-1959 Polar Times number 50-59 2 18 1960-1964 Polar Times number 60-62, 64-69 2 19 1965-1969 Polar Times number 70-74, 77-78 2 20 1970-1974 Polar Times number 82-87 2 21 1976-1978 Polar Times number 90-92, 94-101 2 22 1980-1985 Account book 3 1934-1940 Cooper (Donald H.) membership correspondence 4 2 1935 September-1936 November The Polar Times number 101; volume 2, numbers 9, 17; volume 3, numbers 3-5, 10 4 3 1985 December-2007 January The Polar Times volume 3, numbers 11-12, 14-16, 18-20 4 4 2007 July-2012 January The Polar Times volume 3, numbers 23-28 4 5 2013 July-2016 January The Polar Times volume 3, number 29; volume 4, number 1-2 4 6 2016 July-2020 The Polar Times volume 4, number 4; volume 5, number 1; volume 6, number 2; volume 7, number 1 5 1 2021-2025 The Polar Times number 1 reproduction 5 2 2012 July The Polar Times letter 5 3 1983 Constitution printout 5 4 circa 2010s Accession No. PA.1998.0019 1959-1973 Louise A. Boyd Chapter (California) news clippings and correspondence PA.1998.0019.0001 1 1959-1973 Accession No. PA.1999.0005 1941-1978, 1998 Audio recording, "Voice of America" interview with August Howard PA.1999.0005.0001 1 1975 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Magnetic tape; approximate run time: unknown; Audiocassette; approximate run time unknown

 Scope and Contents

Transferred to cassette 1999 October. Cassette and original audio tape in folder.

 Newsletter, "Wilkes Hard Times," number 9 PA.1999.0005.0001 2 1963 Membership roster by country PA.1999.0005.0001 3 1978 Scope and Contents

The roster does not list names, just numbers. It does contain a list of officers and board of governors for the American Polar Society.

 Various correspondence between August Howard and the Library of Congress Copyright office PA.1999.0005.0001 4 1941-1947, 1978 Scope and Contents

The correspondence concerns copyright issues for "Polar Times." Also included are actual copyright registration forms for "Polar Times"; catalog cards for "Polar Times."

 Correspondence between August Howard and William D. Hackett PA.1999.0005.0001 5 1948-1975 Scope and Contents

The correspondence regards Hackett's membership in American Polar Society. The file also includes biographical information on Hackett.

 Audiocassettes, twelve, "Polar Pioneers Symposium" held at the Byrd Polar Research Center PA.1999.0005.0001 6 1998 October 8-10 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Audiocassettes; approximate run time unknown

 Accession No. PA.2019.0006 0.02 Cubic feet 1989, 2000-2001 (1) letter file folder Scope and Contents

Accession No. PA.2019.0006 contains correspondence between members of the American Polar Society, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the internet newsletter Antarctic Non-Government Activity News (ANAN). The letters grant permissions to republish articles and images from The Polar Times. Also included is an email from the secretary of the American Polar Society, Brian Shoemaker, to other members of the Society outlining various reproduction permissions they have with several newspapers and magazines. The correspondence is dated 1989, 2000-2001.

 The Polar Times permissions to reproduce published content correspondence Polar Small Accessions 3 1989, 2000-2001 Accession No. PA.2024.0012 0.55 Cubic feet 1935-1946, 1966-1981, 2013 (1) 5" letter document box; (1) flat box Scope and Contents

Accession No. PA.2024.0012 contains twenty seven issues of The Polar Times and one commemorative book published on the seventh anniversary of The Polar Times. Material is dated 1935 June-1946 December; 1966 December-1981 December; 2013 January.

 The Polar Times number 1 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1935 June The Polar Times number 3 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1936 June The Polar Times number 4 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1936 December The Polar Times number 5 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1937 October The Polar Times number 6 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1938 March The Polar Times number 8 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1939 March The Polar Times number 9 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1939 November The Polar Times number 10 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1940 March The Polar Times number 11 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1940 December The Polar Times number 13 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1941 December The Polar Times number 14 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1942 June The Polar Times number 15 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1942 December The Polar Times number 16 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1943 June The Polar Times number 17 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1943 December The Polar Times number 18 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1944 June The Polar Times number 19 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1944 December The Polar Times number 21 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1945 December The Polar Times number 23 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1946 December The Polar Times number 63 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1966 December The Polar Times number 75 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1972 December The Polar Times number 76 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1973 June The Polar Times number 79 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1974 December The Polar Times number 80 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1975 June The Polar Times number 81 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1975 December The Polar Times number 88 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1979 June The Polar Times number 89 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1980 The Polar Times number 93 Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0001 1981 December Seven Decades and Seven Years of Service commemorative booklet Accession No. PA.2024.0012.0002 2013 January