Orissa Read herbarium and sketchbook
Scope and Content
The herbarium consists of 115 sheets of botanical specimens with one-five specimens per sheet. Each sheet is encapsulated for preservation most likely after it was donated to the historical society. Each individual specimen has a handwritten label indicating the date, binomial information and common name. Specimens include pressed flowers, leaves, ferns and grasses.
The cover consists of an intricate border design with a painted floral image in the center. The back cover is dark green cardboard.
In addition, the collection also includes a set of four black and white drawings and one colored flower print.
Although more than 150 years old, the collection remains in relatively good condition. However, the flower colors are faded, some breakage and disintegration is present and a few pages have staining along the edges. The sketchbook consists of drawings of leaves of plants found in Homer, New York.
Dates
- Creation: 1840
Creator
- Read, Orissa, 1826-1917 (Person)
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open for research use.
Restrictions on Use
The collection is open for research use.
Biography of Mrs. Matthew C. (Orissa) Read
Orissa Read was born September 4, 1826 in Homer, New York. She was the daughter of William Andrews, an attorney. While receiving her education at the Homer Academy, she created a detailed and inclusive herbarium of plant specimens.
On August 8, 1951, Orissa Andrews married Matthew Canfield Read, a lawyer with an innate passion for nature. The couple resided in Hudson, Ohio, and had four children together: William H., Charles P., Mary O. and Janet A.
Matthew C. Read later became a lecturer of zoology and practical geology at Western Reserve Academy, conducted special geological surveys, and published a number of scholarly works. He was a charter member of the American Forestry Association as well as other noted nature societies.
Mrs. Matthew C. Read died on February 5, 1917.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet (2 volumes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Orissa Read's herbarium and sketchbook, created while at student at Homer Academy in Homer, New York.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Carrie Nurnberger in 2009.
- Title
- Finding aid for the Orissa Read herbarium and sketchbook
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Carrie Nurnberger
- Date
- 2024
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English, Latin script
Repository Details
Part of the Hudson Library & Historical Society Repository