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New York Aquarium. Office of Director. Louis E. Garibaldi records

 Fonds
Identifier: 3007

Scope and Content

The collection consists of records from Louis Garibaldi’s tenure as Associate Director and Director of the New York Aquarium. It includes Garibaldi’s correspondence, New York Aquarium and New York Zoological Society/Wildlife Conservation Society administrative records, topical files, and personal papers, and covers several aspects of the Aquarium’s operations. Garibaldi’s correspondence includes both general correspondence and interoffice memos between various NYA employees; there is considerable overlap in subjects between the interoffice memos and the Aquarium administrative files. The administrative files contain memos, meeting minutes, reports, budgets, publicity materials, and other records that document the administration of the Aquarium, as well as a small amount of materials on the Society at large, particularly its development and fundraising processes and the Nixon Griffis Fund for Zoological Research. The Aquarium’s Animal, Education, Guest Services, and Public Affairs departments are particularly well represented. Garibaldi’s topical files include brochures and guides from other aquariums, records relating to the Aquarium’s participation in New York City institutions and events, and material related to the debate over the captivity of marine mammals—especially cetaceans—in zoos, aquariums, and similar facilities. The bulk of Garibaldi’s personal papers dates from his time at the New England Aquarium [NEA]; notable materials include records relating to Garibaldi and the NEA’s roles as consultants to the City of Baltimore on the creation and construction of the Baltimore Aquarium.

Dates

  • 1960 - 1999

Creator

Access Restrictions

Certain portions of this collection are restricted. Please contact the WCS Archives regarding these access restrictions.

Usage Restrictions

Please contact the WCS Archives regarding possible usage restrictions.

Biographical Note

Louis E. Garibaldi began working in aquariums and other marine facilities in 1966. Prior to joining the New York Zoological Society, he had spent over a decade at the New England Aquarium, first as Curator and later as Director of Operations. Garibaldi started his tenure at the New York Zoological Society [NYZS] in 1982 as Associate Director of the New York Aquarium. In this capacity he held responsibility for many of the Aquarium’s operational and administrative functions, as the Aquarium’s Director, George Ruggieri, coordinated the Aquarium’s affairs with NYZS upper administration and also directed the Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences. Garibaldi assumed increased responsibilities when Ruggieri fell ill in 1987, and was the natural candidate to continue Ruggieri’s work when he passed away later that year. In 2002 Garibaldi left the Aquarium to join the proposed New Bedford Oceanarium in Massachusetts; he later became Director of New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo.

NYZS / WCS Career Chronology
  • 1982-1987 Associate Director, New York Aquarium
  • 1987-1993 Acting Director, Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences
  • 1987-1994 Director, New York Aquarium
  • 1994-2002 Vice President and Director, New York Aquarium

NYZS / WCS Career Chronology

1982-1987
Associate Director, New York Aquarium
1987-1993
Acting Director, Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences
1987-1994
Director, New York Aquarium
1994-2002
Vice President and Director, New York Aquarium

Extent

5.85 Linear Feet (11 Hollinger boxes, 1 half-Hollinger box, 1 carton)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection consists of records from Louis Garibaldi’s tenure as Associate Director and Director of the New York Aquarium. As Associate Director Garibaldi held responsibility for many of the Aquarium’s operational functions while the Aquarium’s Director, George Ruggieri, coordinated with the New York Zoological Society’s upper administration and also directed the Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences. When Ruggieri passed away in 1987, Garibaldi was the natural candidate to continue his work. The records include Garibaldi’s correspondence, New York Aquarium administrative records, topical files, and personal papers, and cover several aspects of the Aquarium’s operations, particularly its Animal, Education, Guest Services, and Public Affairs departments.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into five series:

Series 1
Correspondence, 1983-1998
Series 2
NYA Administrative Files, 1970-1999 (bulk 1981-1998)
Series 3
NYZS and WCS Administrative Files, 1984-1999
Series 4
Topical Files, 1960-1999 (bulk 1983-1993)
Series 5
Louis E. Garibaldi Papers, 1975-1991

Other Finding Aids

The Wildlife Conservation Society Archives holds additional descriptive information pertaining to this collection; please contact the archivist for more detail.

Acquisition Information

Internal transfer, 2002 (Acc. 2002.002).

Related Collections

Please contact the Wildlife Conservation Society Archives for information on related collections.

Items Separated

Newsletters for NYA staff and docents were transferred to the Publications and Printed Ephemera Collection. A file of personnel records has been set aside for H.R. review.

Title
Guide to the Records of the New York Aquarium Director Louis E. Garibaldi, 1960-1999
Status
Published
Author
Finding aid prepared by Leilani Dawson, Processing Archivist
Date
July 2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Archives Repository

Contact:
WCS Library/Archives
2300 Southern Blvd
Bronx New York 10460 United States