Walter P. Nickell Papers
Collection Scope
The collection contains photocopies of correspondence (1939-1970), publications (1938-1969), and writings (1988).
Dates
- 1938 - 1988
Creator
- Nickell, Walter P. (Person)
Access
Access to the collection is unrestricted.
Use
Permission to use collection materials should be directed to Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, who holds copyright, except for published materials by other authors, and the manuscript “From Here to There: An Autobiography of a Naturalist” by Rima Nickell.
History
Walter Prine Nickell was born in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, on September 10, 1903. He spent his youth in Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Carolina. He was invited to join Cranbrook Institute of Science as an Assistant in Education in 1935 by four trustees who had seen one of his exhibits and heard him lecture. He later became an Associate Naturalist. He published 75 papers on birds, and traveled extensively, taking motion and still photography for field studies on birds, caves, rocks, minerals, and fossils in 47 states, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico and British Honduras. He was granted the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, by Central Michigan University in 1964. He was awarded the Cranbrook Founders Medal for Distinguished Service in 1968, when he retired. He died in 1973.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet (1 MS)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Walter Prine Nickell was invited to join Cranbrook Institute of Science as an Assistant in Education in 1935 by four trustees who had seen one of his exhibits and heard him lecture. He later became an Associate Naturalist. He published 75 papers on birds, and traveled extensively, taking motion and still photography for field studies on birds, caves, rocks, minerals, and fossils in 47 states, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico and British Honduras. He was granted the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, by Central Michigan University in 1964. He was awarded the Cranbrook Founders Medal for Distinguished Service in 1968, when he retired. He died in 1973. The collection includes photocopies of correspondence, publications and writings.
Arrangement
It has been arranged by record type including correspondence, publications and writings.
Acquisition
Donated by Clarke Historical Library. The material was requested by Cranbrook Archives after Walter Nickell’s collection was donated to Central Michigan University by his daughter in 1998.
Originals
The originals are held at the Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Processing History
Processed by Laura MacNewman, 2018.
Creator
- Nickell, Walter P. (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Walter P. Nickell Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid written by Laura MacNewman.
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- Resource record created by Laura MacNewman.
Repository Details
Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository