Fir and Spruce Tree Photographs by John Gill Lemmon and Burton Orange Longyear circa 1889

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
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Creators
Lemmon, J. G. (John Gill), 1832-1908; Longyear, B.O. (Burton Orange), 1868-1969
Size
0.02 linear feet (1 folder)
Call number
MSS 00453
Access to materials

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.

Five black and white photo cards, one is 3"x6" while the other four are 5.25"x8.5". The contents of the photographs all depict either fir or spruce trees. The smallest photo card was taken by botanist Burton Orange Longyear, and three of the four larger photos were taken by botanist J.G. Lemmon. The fourth is assumed to be taken by Lemmon as well, though his signature is not included on it.

John Gill (J.G.) Lemmon (c. 1830-1908) was an American Botanist, Civil War Veteran, and former prisoner of war who acquired an interest in botany while living with his family postwar. He and his wife, Sara Plummer, went on to identify a wide variety of plants in the Western United States, establish the name of Mount Lemmon, and also established an herbarium in Oakland, CA. He was known as “the botanist of the West”.

Burton Orange Longyear (1868–1969) was an American botanist, forester, mycologist, and gem cutter. Longyear studied botany and chemistry at the State Agricultural College of Michigan (now Michigan State University). He taught and worked as a botanist at the college before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1903. In 1904, he became an instructor in botany and horticulture at Colorado Agricultural College (CAC), now Colorado State University.

Biographical/historical note

John Gill (J.G.) Lemmon (c. 1830-1908) was an American Botanist, Civil War Veteran, and former prisoner of war. He acquired an interest in botany while living with his family postwar; collecting and identifying plants unknown to settlers was something that gave him solace while he recovered from the horrors of war. In 1880, Lemmon married fellow botanist Sara Plummer, and together they went on to identify a wide variety of plants in the Western United States, establish the name of Mount Lemmon, and also established an herbarium in Oakland, CA. In addition, J.G. Lemmon also served as the state botanist for the California State Board of Forestry. He was known as “the botanist of the West”.

Burton Orange Longyear (1868–1969) was an American botanist, forester, mycologist, and gem cutter. Originally a registered pharmacist, Longyear studied botany and chemistry at the State Agricultural College of Michigan (now Michigan State University). He taught and worked as a botanist at the college before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1903. In 1904, he became an instructor in botany and horticulture at Colorado Agricultural College (CAC), now Colorado State University. Longyear became head of the newly established department of botany and forestry at CAC in 1909, before serving as State Forester of Colorado from 1912-1915. He returned to teaching after that and continued to do so until his retirement in 1936.

Scope/content

Five black and white photo cards, one is 3"x6" while the other four are 5.25"x8.5". The contents of the photographs all depict either fir or spruce trees. The smallest photo card was taken by botanist Burton Orange Longyear, and three of the four larger photos were taken by botanist J.G. Lemmon. The fourth is assumed to be taken by Lemmon as well, though his signature is not included on it.

Use of these materials

The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.

The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Fir and Spruce Tree Photographs by John Gill Lemmon and Burton Orange Longyear, MSS 00453, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Related material

Source of acquisition

Provenance unknown.

Processing information

Processed by Sarah Take, 2023 June; finding aid written by Sarah Take, 2023 July

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Fig. 31 Abies Concolor circa late 1800s (Accession 2023.0075)

A black and white photograph on a 3"x6" piece of cardstock depicting a clipping from a White Fir tree. Photographed by B.O. Longyear. Front Caption: "-26-Blk Duplicate" Back Caption: "Fig 31 Abies Concolor x 2/1... Leaf... White Fir" Back Sticker: "B.O. Longyear Ft. Collins Colo."

MSS legalbox 11
Picea Breweriana Branch 1889 (Accession 2023.0075)

A sepia photograph on a 5.25"x8.5" piece of cardstock depicting a Weeping Spruce branch with cones, next to what appears to be a fence post. Photographed by J.G. Lemmon. Caption: "Picea Breweriana. [?], “Weeping Spruce,” Siskiou [Siskiyou] -Nats. [“National Forest] Del Norte Co. Cal, Alt. 7,000 ft., [?] bearing branch, with last years’ cones. Oct.[?] 18-89, Photo by JG Lemmon"

MSS legalbox 11
Picea Breweriana 1889 (Accession 2023.0075)

A sepia photograph on a 5.25"x8.5" piece of cardstock depicting Weeping Spruce trees in a forested area. Photographed by J.G. Lemmon. Caption: "Picea Breweriana… [?] “Weeping Spruce.” Siskiou Nats. Del Norte Co. Cal. Oct.[?] 18-89, J.G. Lemmon

MSS legalbox 11
Abies Magnifica 1889 (Accession 2023.0075)

A sepia photograph on a 5.25"x8.5" piece of cardstock depicting a Red-Barked Fir with cones, standing upright. Photographed by J.G. Lemmon. Caption: Abies magnifica (?) “Red-barked fir.” Siskiou Nats. Del Norte Co. Cal. alt = 6,000 ft? Oct.[?]- 18-89. Photo by JG Lemmo[n]

MSS legalbox 11
Picea Breweriana Lower Branch circa 1890s

A sepia photograph on a 5.25"x8.5" piece of cardstock depicting a branch of a Weeping Spruce. Likely photographed by J.G. Lemmon, though it is not signed. Caption: "Picea Breweriana. Lower branch, 8ft. long."

MSS legalbox 11
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Fir and Spruce Tree Photographs by John Gill Lemmon and Burton Orange Longyear, MSS 00453, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.

The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.