USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Treasurer's report of the receipts and expenditures, 1959, 1964, 1975, 1977 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
3,215.00
Gross loss on amortization of Bonds
267.08
Gross decrease in Market Value of Stocks
2,253.25
2,520.33
Total Disbursements
259,914.27
Assets, December 31, 1959
1,542,625.58
$1,802,539.85
75
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
SUMMARY OF MEMBERSHIP SCHEDULE
Active Membership, December 31, 1958 ...
1,038
Enrolled during 1959
160
Transfers from Inactive Memberships
7
1,205
Deductions:
Deaths
5
Withdrawals
55
Transfers to Inactive Memberships
55
Retirements
14
129
Active Membership, December 31, 1959
1,076
Inactive Membership, December 31,1958
252
Retirements
14
Transfers from Active Memberships
55
321
Deductions:
Deaths
10
Withdrawals
24
Transfers to Active Memberships
9
Written off after 10 years of Inactive Membership
5 48
Inactive Memberships, December 31,1959
273
Total Active and Inactive Memberships ....
1,349
Pensioners
154
Beneficiaries Receiving Allowances
29
... .......
76
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS DEPOSITS IN SAVINGS BANKS
Holyoke Savings Bank, Holyoke Mass.
$ 5,911.39
Mechanics Savings Bank, Holyoke, Mass. 17,262.44
Monson Savings Bank, Monson, Mass.
12,324.04
Peoples' Savings Bank, Holyoke, Mass.
5,850.45
Springfield Institution for Savings, Springfield, Mass.
18,970.30
Ware Savings Bank, Ware, Mass.
18,006.67
$78,325.29
DEPOSITS IN FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN BANKS
Springfield Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n., Springfield, Mass. $ 2,500.00
Union Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n.,
Springfield, Mass.
6,447.76
Worcester Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n.,
.
Springfield, Mass.
3,275.64
12,223.40
GOVERNMENT BONDS
Par Value
$ 90,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, Series B, 23/4%, 1975-1980
15,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, Series K, 2.76%, May, 1966
10,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, Series K, 2.76%, July, 1966
67,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 23/4%, 1961
40,000.00 U.S. Treasury Notes, 25/8%, 1963
30,000.00 U.S. Treasury Notes, 47/8%, 1963
50,000.00 U.S. Treasury Notes, 43/4%, 1964
10,000.00 U.S. Treasury Notes, 5%, 1964
50,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 25/8%, 1965
77
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
25,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 21/2%, 1962-1967
15,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4%, 1969
10,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 31/4%, 1978-1983
20,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 31/4%, 1978-1983
15,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 31/4%, 1985
30,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3%, 1995
$477,000.00
-
FEDERAL LAND BANKS
10,000.00 Federal Farm Loan Bonds, 45/8%, 1969
10,000.00
Federal Land Bank, 47/8%, 1962
10,000.00 Consolidated Federal Farm Loan Bonds, 43/8%, 1969
25,000.00 The Twelve Federal Land Banks, 41/2%, 1967-1970
$ 55,000.00
TURNPIKE AUTHORITY BONDS
10,000.00 Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, 3.30%, 1994
RAILROAD BONDS
10,000.00 Baltimore & Ohio R.R. Co., Equipment Trust, Series GG, 35/8%, 1965 & 1967
12,000.00 Central of Georgia Ry. Co., Equipment Trust Series C, 45/8%, 1968 & 1969
10,000.00 Chesapeake & Ohio R.R. Co., Equip. Trust, 33/8%, 1964
10,000.00 Chesapeake & Ohio R.R. Co., Equip. Trust, 41/4%, 1971
10,000.00 Gulf Mobile & Ohio R.R. Co., Series G, 33/8%, 1980
10,000.00 Great Nothern Railroad Co., Series N, 31/8%, 1990
10,000.00 Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Ry. Co., Series B, 3%, 1986
78
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
10,000.00 Northern Pacific Ry. Co., Equipment Trust of 1957, 43/8%, 1962
10,000.00 St. Louis-San Francisco Ry. Co., Series A, 4%, 1997
10,000.00 Texas & New Orleans R.R. Co., Series C, 33/8%, 1990
10,000.00
The Virginian Ry. Co., Series B, 3%, 1995
$112,000.00
TELEPHONE BONDS
15,000.00 American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 25-Yr. Debentures, 33/8%, 1973
5,000.00 American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 30-Yr.
Debentures, 23/4%, 1975
5,000.00 American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 28-Yr. Debentures, 43/8%, 1985
5,000.00 American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 34-Yr. Debentures, 37/8%, 1990
10,000,00 Associated Telephone Co. Ltd., Series G, 35/8%, 1981 10,000.00 Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania, 31-Yr. Debentures, 33/4%, 1989
5,000.00 Illinois Bell Telephone Co., Series A, 23/4%, 1981
20,000.00 Illinois Bell Telephone Co., Series C, 31/8%, 1984
5,000.00 New Jersey Bell Telephone Co., 32-Yr. Debentures, 31/4%, 1984
5,000.00 New York Telephone Co., 31/8%, 1978
10,000.00
New York Telephone Co., 41/8%, 1993
10,000.00 Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co., 23-Yr. Debentures, 51/8%, 1980
10,000.00 Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co., 35-Yr. Debentures, 31/8%, 1983
79
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
10,000.00 Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co., 32-Yr. Debentures, 45/8%, 1990
10,000.00 Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co., 5%, 1986
10,000.00
10,000.00
Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co., 45/8%, 1993 Southern New England Telephone Co., 34-Yr. Debentures, 31/4%, 1989
$155,000.00
UTILITY BONDS
10,000.00
Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., 31/4%, 1990
10,000.00
Boston Edison Co., Series F, 45/8%, 1987
10,000.00 California Oregon Power Co., 35/8%, 1982
5,000.00
Central Maine Power Co., Series L, 31/2%, 1970
5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00
Central Maine Power Co., 23/4%, 1976 Central Maine Power Co., 35/8%, Series T, 1981
Central Vermont Public Service, Series K, 31/4%, 1984 Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., 33/8%, 1986
5,000.00 Commonwealth Edison Co., Series Q, 3%, 1984
15,000.00
Commonwealth Edison Co., Series R, 31/2%, 1986
5,000.00 Commonwealth Edison Co., 41/4%, 1987
10,000.00
Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Series B, 25/8%, 1977
5,000.00
Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Series H, 33/8%, 1982
10,000.00
Consumers Power Co., 4%, 1986
5,000.00
Fall River Electric Light Co., 33/4%, 1983
5,000.00
Florida Power Corporation, 37/8%, 1986
25,000.00
Georgia Power Co., 31/2%, 1981
10,000.00
Idaho Power Co., 4%, 1988
10,000.00 Jersey Central Power & Light Co., 31/2%, 1985
5,000.00 Jersey Central Power & Light Co., 41/8%, 1986
10,000.00
Long Island Lighting Company, Series I, 43/4%, 1986
80
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
15,000.00 Ohio Edison Co., Series of 1959, 41/2%, 1989
25,000.00 New England Power Co., Series G, 43/8%, 1987
10,000.00 New York State Electric & Gas Corp., 23/4%, 1977
10,000.00 Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 37/8%, 1988
20,000.00 Northern States Power Co., 4%, 1988
5,000.00 Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 23/4%, 1981
5,000.00
Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 33/8%, 1985, Series U
5,000.00 Pacific Gas & Electric Co., Series BB, 5%, 1989
5,000.00 Pennsylvania Electric Co., 23/4%, 1976
10,000.00
Pennsylvania Electric Co., 4%, 1988
15,000.00
Philadelphia Electric Co., 27/8%, 1978
5,000.00
Philadelphia Electric Co., 31/4%,1982
10,000.00
Potomac Electric Power Co., 45/8%, 1993
5,000.00
Public Service Co. of New Hampshire, Series H, 31/4%, 1984
15,000.00
Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, Series A, 23/4%, 1975 Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, Series G, 37/8%, 1988
5,000.00
5,000.00
Public Service Electric & Gas Co., 31/4%, 1968
10,000.00
Rockland Light & Power Co., Series D, 33/4%, 1981
5,000.00
Southern California Edison Co., Ltd., 3%, 1965
10,000.00
Southern California Edison Co., Series I, 43/4%, 1982 Southern Nevada Power Co., Series D, 51/4%, 1989 Tampa Electric Co., 41/4%, 1988
10,000.00
Western Massachusetts Electric Co., Series C, 43/8%, 1987
30,000.00
Worcester County Electric Co., Series D, 33/8%, 1985
10,000.00
Western Massachusetts Electric Co., Series D, 53/8%, 1989 Wisconsin Electric Power Co., 41/8%, 1988
$435,000.00
BANK STOCKS
Shares
113
Bankers Trust Company, New York
136
Chase Manhattan Bank, New York
149 Chemical Bank New York Trust Co., New York
81
5,000.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
85 Continental Illinois National Bank & Trust Co., Chicago, Ill.
250 Crocker-Anglo National Bank, San Francisco, Calif.
126 The First National Bank of Boston, Boston, Mass.
100 The First National Bank in Dallas, Dallas, Texas
168 The First National City Bank of New York, New York
100
The First Pennsylvania Banking & Trust Co., Phila. Pa.
212
The Hanover Bank, New York
105
The Irving Trust Co., New York
120
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York, New York
100
The National Shawmut Bank of Boston, Boston, Mass.
250 Seattle-First National Bank, Seattle, Washington
143 Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Springfield - Common Stock
10 Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Springfield - Preferred Stock
COOPERATIVE BANKS
_Matured Shares
50
80
Westfield Cooperative Bank, Westfield, Mass. West Springfield Cooperative Bank, West Springfield, Mass.
Serial Shares 80
West Springfield Cooperative Bank, West Springfield, Mass ..
Respectfully submitted, Daniel M. Walsh, Jr. Chairman David J. Manning, Secretary Russell B. Neff
82
TREASURER'S REPORT of the RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES and SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT of Care and Maintenance of the
Mt. Tom State Reservation
For the Year 1959 Issued by Order of
MT. TOM RESERVATION COMMISSION
County Commissioners of Hampden and Hampshire Counties (See Acts of 1903, Chapter 264)
MT. TOM RESERVATION
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
MOUNT TOM STATE RESERVATION DEC. 31, 1959
To the Mount Tom Reservation Commission:
Gentlemen :
The annual summary of work done on the Mount Tom State Reser- vation for the year 1959 is herewith presented.
Reservation activities were organized by Fred Carlson, the reservation naturalist from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Robert S. Cole Trailside Museum
The Trailside Museum was opened for the 1959 season on May 30th. Visitors registering at the Museum totaled 5708 at the seasons end and the guest register showed 40 states and 10 foreign countries repre- sented.
Camping Overnite
1430 persons used our overnight tenting area representing 300 tents, 62 sleeping bags, 34 trailers and 27 parties slept in cars equipped for over night sleeping.
The fall camporee of the Mt. Tom Council Boy Scouts of America was held again this year on the reservation. The camporee lasted 3 days and consisted of 120 scouts and 50 tents ..
Winter Sports
The 1958-59 skating season was one of the best in years. Starting with 2 inches of ice December 1st, the prolonged cold weather built a total of 22 inches of ice by February 15th, giving 57 skating days.
Night Skating started December 10th and with our improved flood light system, Lake Bray skating has become very popular.
84
MT. TOM RESERVATION
Fishing at Lake Bray
Many fishermen enjoyed the bass fishing this year at Lake Bray. Reports of large mouth bass were from 12 to 15 inches with a great many under size 7 inch ones being caught, indicating a good year coming up for the fishermen.
The new pine point area at the lake with 10 fireplaces apparently proved successful as each family of the fishermen are given the opportu- nity to picnic for the day close by.
Miscellaneous
162 yards of gravel was used for building and repairing roads.
29 tons of coldprovia was used for patching roads.
3800 gallons of MC5 asphalt was used for sealing roads.
207 tons of stone grits was used with the asphalt.
45 yards of sand was used in making cement posts and sanding icy roads on the reservation.
9 tons rock salt was purchased for icy roads.
10 hemlock logs 8ft. long were hauled to the saw mill and made 43 table seats.
Motor vehicles in use for the reservation consist of a 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon, 1960 Ford 4-wheel drive pickup truck, 1954 Dodge 4- wheel drive dump truck, 1936 GMC fire truck and a 1958 tractor with bucket loader.
In closing, I wish to thank the Mt. Tom Reservation Commission for their assistance and advice.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. KNOX, Superintendent Mt. Tom State Reservation
85
MT. TOM RESERVATION
MT. TOM STATE RESERVATION REPORT - 1959 RECEIPTS - 1959
Cash Balance, January 1, 1959
$ 2,596.83
Reserved for Unpaid Contracts
none
$ 2,596.83
Hampden County, appropriation for 1959 .... $ 36,412.03 Hampshire County appropriation for 1959 5,933.64
$ 42,345.67
$ 44,942.50
EXPENDITURES - 1959
Personal Services:
John A. Knox, Supt. and Warden
5,392.00
Gerald Dunn
4,426.50
Carl A. Herrmann (Retired 12-11-59) ...
3,715.02
Adolph Szczur
4,309.24
Oliver Charette
4,301.28
Ferinand Kusek
4,023.10
$ 26,167.14
Temporary Employees:
John F. Padden
$ 1,804.67
Warren Craig
696.24
John H. Banner
132.55
Fred W. Carlson
876.80
Paul Borowski
501.07
Robert Zack
439.14
Roland Lecuyer
292.76
$ 4,743.23
86
MT. TOM RESERVATION
Contractual Services, Supplies and Materials:
Alling Rubber Company
$
12.50
Allston Supply Co. Inc.
51.25
Boulangers Plumbing & Heating Co.
8.55
Albert I. Cartledge
5.40
City of Holyoke Gas & Electric Co.
46.20
Consolidated Signs
27.00
Cottage Pharmacy
9.19
B. W. Cohen & Co.
50.80
Community Feed Stores
3.15
Defoe Ford Inc.
11.14
Easthampton Lumber Co.
29.11
Easthampton Appliance Center
27.45
Easthampton Welding & Radiator Co.
43.50
Fitzhenry-Guptill Co.
1.00
Frank's Auto Trim
18.00
Germano Ford Sales
798.49
H. S. Gere & Sons
8.71
The Halob Construction Co.
126.00
Hampden Color & Chemical Co.
256.80
Hampshire Sand & Gravel Co.
239.45
Holyoke Transcript Telegram
14.85
Harris Radio Service
5.50
Holyoke Iron Works
128.40
Holyoke Supply Company
13.95
Judge and Greenough Paper Co.
62.25
The Koppers Co. Inc.
661.24
Karl's Service Shop
36.90
The Lane Construction Corp.
122.30
H. B. Lyman Co.
8.25
Manchester Co.
205.07
S. Marks & Co.
7.70
John F. Murphy, Postmaster
23.20
Midtown Service Center
402.16
87
MT. TOM RESERVATION
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
95.40
Oliver Auto Body Inc.
2.75
Omasta Sand & Gravel
131.10
Henry M. Parsons & Son
128.05
Pickup Motor Co.
172.90
Ralston Purina Company
96.95
J. Russell & Co. Inc.
48.19
Springfield Union-Republican
18.36
Thouin's Welding Service
94.50
Uhlig Tree & Landscape Co. Inc.
80.00
Weber's
34.41
Western Mass. Electric Co.
216.00
William B. Whiting Coal Co.
48.95.
$ 4,633.02
Current Charges and Obligations
James J. Dowd & Sons
921.85
Holyoke Water Works 287.50
Theodore A. Lussier
6.00
J. W. O'Brien & Son
98.90
Omasta Sand & Gravel 84.50
James F. Scanlon, Jr.
141.00
Walter M. Shea Insurance Agency
196.22
Woodward & Hodgkins
150.00
$ 1,885.97
Equipment:
Boulangers Plumbing & Heating Co. 828.90
Braun's Welding Service Inc. 55.20
Chriscola's Farm Equipment Inc. 230.49
Dearing's Jewelry, Inc. 9.50
88
MT. TOM RESERVATION
Germano Ford Sales
1,748.00
John H. Lee & Son
189.10
The Magovern Co. Inc.
93.00
Perkins Machinery Co.
480.00
J. Russell & Co.
2.28
$ 3,636.47
Total Expenditures for 1959
$ 41,065.83
Cash on Hand December 31, 1959
$ 3,876.67
Howard A. Banner,
Treasurer, County of Hampshire
The foregoing accounts have been examined and approved.
William F. Stapleton, Mt. Tom State Reservation Comm.
89
MT. TOM RESERVATION
MT. TOM STATE RESERVATION
One of the largest and finest state reservations in the Pioneer Valley region is located on the western slopes of famous Mt. Tom. This reser- vation is distinctive because of its size, its natural splendor, and the wide variety of recreational facilities available to the public.
- Although owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mount Tom Reservation is maintained and operated by the Commissioners of Hamphsire and Hampden Counties. Regulations are, therefore, some- what different, including the dates and hours when this reservation is open.
They are 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. from April 15, to November 15, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. from November 15 to April 15.
Picnicking: 110 fireplaces and 210 picnic tables are located in the reservation.
Trailside Museum: A unique museum which features natural history materials from the Mt. Tom Range and Vicinity. Dsplays include mine- rals, rocks, dinosaur prints, and insect collection, preserved amphibians, reptiles and mammals, mounted birds, plants and a scale relief map of the Mt. Tom Range. Cages outside the museum contain live animals.
Winter Sports: A 620-foot ski tow is located on the west side of Bray Lake. A novice trail and advanced skier's trail begin at the top of the tow. There is a 50c tow charge.
Both the Log Cabin at the foot of the tow and the Stone Lodge are- open for the comfort of winter sports enthusiasts.
How reached: On route 141, between Holyoke and Easthampton.
90
MT. TOM RESERVATION
MT. TOM STATE RESERVATION COMMISSION
William F. Stapleton, Commissioner of Hampden County, Chairman Thomas F. Sullivan, Commissioner of Hampden County, Auditor Hiram H. Brownell, Commissioner of Hampshire County, Autitor
Other members of the commission are :
Raymond A. Lyman, Commissioner of Hampshire County Edwin M. Podolak, Commissioner of Hampshire County Ralph Walsh, Commissioner of Hampden County Howard A. Banner, Treasurer of Hampshire County, Clerk and Treas. John A. Knox, Superintendent at the Mt. Tom Reservation
91
MT. TOM RESERVATION
Mt. Tom State Reservation, Easthampton-Holyoke, Mass. Annual Report of the Ranger-Naturalist At the Robert S. Cole Trailside Museum Season of 1959 - May 30 - Sept. 7 Fred W. Carlson
The trailside Museum was opened for the 1959 season on Saturday May 30th. It remained open five days per week until Labor Day and then was opened Sundays until the first of November.
Museum Registration
During the eighty days that the Museum was opened a total of 5,708 persons signed the guest register. Since only 40-60% of the per- sons visiting the Museum sign the register, the season total of visitors is estimated close to 9,000.
Many of the visitors listed their residence as being in the vicinity Pioneer Valley. However, there were many visitors from out-of-state and foreign countries. These respectively are as follows:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Conn- ecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ken- tucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Da- kota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D. C., West Verginia, Wisconsin, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Panama, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Wales.
Museum Improvements
During the summer the Ranger-Naturalist's time is almost entirely taken up by the public. The enthusiasm of inquiries of children requires almost constant attention, and sincere interest shown by many of the
92
MT. TOM RESERVATION
adult visitors occupies much of the remaining time.
At the beginning of the season at least a week is needed to clean and open the Museum, to secure live animals, obtain new display ma- terial and to familiarise oneself with the area and duties of the position.
Colorful plastic yardgoods were purchased to cover two tablestops and two shelves. Other material which had faded and worn was relocated to less eye-catching spots in the museum.
Some of the herbs collected by former Superintendent Luther Howe's for Grandma's Medicine Chest were replaced by fresh material. The labels were changed and placed upon colorful construction paper to get more of the public's attention.
The Insect Collection was removed from its showcase and the en- tire display revamped. Many labels were added to the collection in ad- dition to a number of new insects.
A great number and variety of bulletins and brochures were ob- tained and added to the reference files and library of the Museum. These were obtained principally from:
Mass. Extension Service, Mass. Dept. of Commerce, Mass. Dept. of Natural Resource, Mass. Div. of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Soil Conservation Service,, Wildlife Conservation Inc., New En- gland Wild Flower Reservation Society, Inc., National Wildlife Fede- ration, Mass. Audubon Society.
Nature Trail
The Nature Trails were used extensively again this season and with an apparent high degree of success. Numerous signs were added through- out the season and a system of distinguishing the two trails was adop- ted. Yellow trail markings designated the long trail, silver markings the short trail, and yellow with silver markings the places were the two trails converge.
93
MT. TOM RESERVATION
Living Exhibits
Reptiles: - Timber Rattle, Water, Ribbon, Hog-nosed, Black Ra- cer, Garter, and Green-grass Snakes. Painted, Box, Snapping, and Spot- ted Turtles.
Amphibans: - Red-spotted, Red-backed, Spotted, and Two-lined Salamanders. Weed, Bull, Green, Tree and Pickeral Frogs. American and Fowler Toads.
Mammals: - Opossum, Porcupine, Red Squirrel, Chipmunks. Insects: - Dragonflies, Ant Lions, Preying Mandits.
Miscellaneous Threadworms.
Group Work
Many local school-age children visited the Museum this season through the facilities of local organisations. In order to make their ex- perience a learned and lasting one, preparation was made in advance of each group visiting. Talks, guided tours, question and answer periods, slides accompanied by discussion were a few of the ways that this was attempted. Some of the groups that visited the Museum this year included:
Arcadia Day Camp, Brownie Troup 314, Chicopee Falls, Camp Lewis Perkins Campers, Camp Wind-In-the Woods, Worcester Y.W.C.A., Cub Scout Den 8, Pack 144, Aldenville, Holyoke Boys Club Day Camp, Holyoke Day Camp, Holyoke Vacation Church School, Leicester Y.W.C.A., Morgan Day Care Center, Holyoke, North Amherst Congregational Church Croup, Sisters Of the Presentation Of Mary, Aldenville, Small Fry Day Camp, Peoples' Institute, Northampton, Springfield Y.W.C.A., White Street School, Grade 6, Springfield, Wilder Camp, Springfield Day Camp, Holyoke Day Care.
Suggestions and Recommendations
This recommendation deals with a matter of Trailside Museum policy. I firmly believe, as others in the field of natural history do, that the function of a trailside museum is to exhibit only the examples of
94
MT. TOM RESERVATION
natural history that are indigenous to that particular area. If specimens not native to an area are placed on exhibit in a trailside museum of that area, the word - trailside becomes a misnomer. Non-native natu- ral history material belongs in a zoo or regular museum - not a trail- side museum. Thus I request that it be established that only natural his- tory material from the Mt. Tom Range be allowed for exhibition at the Robert S. Cole Trailside Museum.
Secondly, I would like to propose that (1) an outdoor shed be built to house individual cages for displaying some of the local mam- mals and (2) sufficient funds be alloted for the care of tehse animals during the summer season.
Animals generally are readily available to the Ranger-Naturalist but sufficient means of obtaining food and shelter for these animals has been a problem. The present and past methods of exhibiting live ani- mals has approached amateurism in many ways, although the purpose was served. No other exhibit is generally more attracting than live ones, even if the animals are common place cnes.
Exhibition of Animals such as :
Chipmunks, red squirrels, gray squirrels, flying squirrels, racoon, opossum, woodchuck, porcupine, or a de-scented skunk should greatly increase the number of visitors to the Reservation.
Thirdly, throughout the season there were numerous requests for brochures describing the Reservation. Perhaps new ones could be print- ed to meet these requests.
The fourth thing which I wish to recommend is that the Reservation puchase new materials such as: (1) Colored nature slides (2) Plastic or mounted fish of the area 3) Realistic-artificial flowers of the area (4) Books for reference purposes (parhaps 1-2 annually).
The fifth point is: that I wish to propose that the pay-rate of the Ranger-Naturalist be given consideration. The pay rate of $1.37 per hour is low, considering a trained man is required.
95
MT. TOM RESERVATION
My final point is that I wish to propose that the Museum be pro- vided with a supply of water. Water is utilized at the Museum in nu- merous ways and if supplied, could be another source of drinking water in a central location.
Suggested List of Reference Books to be purchased OR Obtained by Donation: Field Guide to the Birds by Roger T. Peterson; Hough- ton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts; Fieldbook of Natural History by E. L. Palmer, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc. New York; a Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians by Roger Conant, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts; Road to Survival by William Vogt, William Sloan Associate, Inc. New York; Geology by Emmons et al, McGraw- Hill Book Co., Inc. New York; Conservation Dictionary, National Wild- life Federation, Washington 12, D. C .; Conservation Education for American Youth, National Wildlife Federation, Washington 12, D. C.
The pamphlet racks in the Reading Corner generally have a dozen different pamphlets for the public to read during their visits. Other pub- lications, of non-commercial nature, were made available free to the pub- lic, The Gypsy Moth, The Japanese Beetle and State Forests and Parks of Massachusetts were leaflets which had been obtained in larger quantities and therefore ones that were distributed most frequently.
A collection of skins and skulls of various local mammals was placed in one of the show cases formerly used for miscellany. These specimens have drawn the interest and attention of many visitors.
An upright display cabinet from the Office Building foyer was trans- fered to the Museum where it is now housing the beginning of a turtle shell collection. Another display cabinet at the Office was completely cleaned and new material placed in it.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.