Skip to main content

Harry Lee Hoffman, Jr. collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS 2583

Abstract

This collection reflects Harry Lee Hoffman, Jr.'s involvement with the Maryland Outdoor Life Federation and its successor organization, the Maryland Conservation Federation.

Dates

  • 1934-1964

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Historical Note

The idea for an annual convention of Maryland conservation groups was expressed in 1933 by Merle E. Towner, retiring president of the Maryland State Game and Fish Protective Association. In 1934, this idea was carried out by a convention of sportsmen's groups and garden clubs held at the Emerson Hotel in Baltimore. The success of this convention led to the formation of the Maryland Outdoor Life Federation whose stated purposes were to coordinate and stimulate the efforts of conservation, civic, scientific, and outdoor organizations in the interest of the State of Maryland's outdoor life privileges and natural resources. H. Lee Hoffman, Jr., who had chaired the first convention, was elected president.

World War II suspended the Federation's activities for a few years. It was reorganized in 1950 as the Maryland Conservation Federation. In 1964 the Federation disbanded and transferred its financial assets to the newly formed Conservation Education Council of Maryland.

Extent

2.1 Linear Feet (5 boxes; 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Harry Lee Hoffman, Jr. collection is organized into two sections: the papers of the Maryland Outdoor Life Federation (1934-1950) and the papers of its successor organization, the Maryland Conservation Federation (1950-1964).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Harry Lee Hoffman, Jr. in June 1981.

Scope and Contents

The papers of the Maryland Outdoor Life Federation include meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, financial data, and newsclippings. The organization of annual conventions (1936-1937) and exhibitions (1938-1939) is the primary subject. Of particular interest in the 1938-1939 correspondence are letters from Native American Indians who represented tribal life at the outdoor life shows held in the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore.

The papers of the Maryland Conservation Federation include meeting minutes, membership data, financial reports, correspondence, and subject files. A major subject is the Ivy Hill Forest preservation project which the Federation adopted in 1958. Ivy Hill Forest, in northern Baltimore County, had been privately owned by the Hoffman family since 1943 and was intended to serve as a model conservation, education, and study area. It was hoped that the Federation would acquire and operate it as such, but in 1960 the project was dropped due to lack of supporting funds. Most of the land was sold to the Baltimore County park system and is now known as Oregon Ridge Park.

Title
Guide to the Harry Lee Hoffman, Jr. collection
Status
Under Revision
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Revision Statements

  • 2020-03-05: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Sandra Glascock

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750