New York Zoological Society. Office of President. Robert G. Goelet records
Scope and Contents
The correspondence in the collection features information about the planning for the Annual Members Meetings and Annual Society Meetings, including correspondence with invitees, during Goelet’s tenure as NYZS President and Executive Vice President. Correspondence related to projects and programs in India, Bhutan, and Pakistan involving George Schaller are found in the IRAB (Institute for Research in Animal Behavior) files. Lila Acheson Wallace’s correspondence highlights her contributions to NYZS for the development of World of Birds and other Bronx Zoo projects. Correspondence about the closing of the William Beebe Tropical Research Station (also known as Simla) is also found in this collection.
Dates
- 1959 - 1972
- Majority of material found within 1969 - 1972
Creator
- Goelet, Robert G. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Please consult the WCS Archives regarding possible access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult the WCS Archives regarding possible usage restrictions.
Biographical / Historical
Robert Guestier Goelet’s grandfather, Robert Wilson Goelet, was a founder of the New York Zoological Society (NYZS), and Robert G. Goelet became a member of the Board of Trustees in 1951. He served in the positions of Second Vice President and Executive Vice President until being elected President of NYZS in 1971. Goelet remained an active NYZS Trustee member after stepping down from the position of President in 1975 and becoming President of the American Museum of Natural History.
In 1964, Goelet went on an expedition to Argentina with Bronx Zoo Director William G. Conway, and the two returned with thousands of feet of footage that they wrote a script for to create the nature film “From the Pampas to Patagonia.” In 1969, Goelet provided the funding to establish a librarian in the NYZS Library. His tenures as Vice President and President saw the openings of the Bronx Zoo’s World of Birds and the Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences at the New York Aquarium, as well as the start of the Society’s Center for Field Biology and Conservation.
Goelet also served as President of the New-York Historical Society and director of the National Audubon Society.
Extent
1.25 Linear Feet (3 Hollinger boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Robert Guestier Goelet served in several executive roles at the New York Zoological Society (NYZS), including President from 1971 to 1975. This collection includes material related to Annual Society and Members Meetings and international conservation programs and projects in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in one series. The series is arranged alphabetically by the name of the correspondent or the topic of the correspondence.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Internal transfer, Acc. 1985.005 Board of Trustees. Office of President. Robert Goelet records.
Separated Materials
Programs, invitations, and tickets for Society and Members Meetings were moved into Collection 2016/Publications-Printed Ephemera. Duplicates were kept with Collection 1064.
Creator
- Goelet, Robert G. (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Records of New York Zoological Society President Robert G. Goelet, 1959-1972 (bulk 1969-1972)
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Sana Masood
- Date
- September 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- Collection processing and finding aid creation for this collection was made possible through the National Historical Publications and Records Commission Access to Historical Records grant program.
Repository Details
Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Archives Repository