Manuscripts

The collection includes materials related to the operation of Lincoln Memorial Garden-correspondence, grounds notebook, committee reports, and maintenance plans, Administrators reports, Annual reports and meeting minutes, treasurers reports and financial records, photos, history and bylaws, newspaper clippings, event calendars, and items related Harriet Knudson and garden development.

Memorial's school of nursing began as part of Springfield Hospital and Training School, founded in 1897 under the auspices of the Lutheran Church. In 1943, the training school's name changed to Memorial Hospital of Springfield School of Nursing.

Dr. George Thomas Palmer specialized in treating tuberculosis patients. Dr. Palmer opened the Springfield Open Air Colony in 1913. It was located in a farm house on 20 acres at the end of Lawrence Avenue where Chatham Road intersects. Soon the name was changed to Palmer Sanatorium.

In September 1963, the members of the Sangamon Conservation Council voted to incorporate and draw up new bylaws. The group was “dedicated to the purpose of promoting the public acquisition, preservation, and development of natural areas.”

Material in this collection consists primarily of correspondence between officers of the local Infantile Paralysis Foundation Chapter and Basil O'Connor, president of the National Foundation.

The collection includes Sangamon County Medical Society Auxiliary/Alliance scrapbooks, cassette tapes of programs, newsletters of the Sangamon County Medical Society Auxiliary and the Illinois State Medical Society Auxiliary, and presidents’ yearly binders and folders containing yearbooks, brochures, meeting minutes, news articles, financial reports, membership lists, and projects.

The Springfield chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society began in 1932 as the Springfield Nature League. In 1960, the Nature League voted to affiliate with the National Audubon Society and changed its name to the Springfield Audubon Society. In 1979, after more than a year of discussion and preparation, the Springfield Audubon Society adopted new by-laws and voted to seek chapter status in the Illinois Audubon Society. The collection includes materials from 1932-2004 from the Springfield Audubon Society and its predecessor the Springfield Nature League.

This collection consists of yearly programs, diaries, and newspaper clippings from the Springfield Nature League, formed in 1932.

The materials in this collection relate primarily to the first decade of the Park District's existence and include petitions, election results, minutes, and other reports.