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Collection Number: 03866

Collection Title: J. A. Holmes Papers, 1899-1968.

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.


This collection was processed with support from the sponsorship of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of Preservation, Washington, D.C., 1990-1993.

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Size 2.5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 1,500 items)
Abstract J. A. Holmes was professor of geology and natural history at the University of North Carolina, 1881-1903; state geologist, first head of the North Carolina Geological Survey, 1891-1905; director of the department of mines and metallurgy, Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.), 1903-1904; chief of the technological branch, United States Geological Survey, 1905-1910; chief, United States Bureau of Mines, 1910-1915. The collection includes correspondence and memorandum books of Holmes, clippings about Holmes, and other items. Included are about 100 letters, 1891-1915, from Holmes to his wife, Jane Sprunt Holmes of Wilmington, N.C., describing his work during job-related travels, discussing personal and family matters, and expressing his affection for her. Holmes's letters to his wife describe his life and work in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, N.C., his visits to other locations in North Carolina, and his travels and work in St. Louis, Mo., Washington, D.C., and other locations throughout the United States, especially in the West, and in Europe. Fourteen memorandum books, 1899- 1915, contain Holmes's notes, accounts, and brief descriptions of daily activities, especially while travelling and at professional meetings. The correspondence and the memorandum books document Holmes's particular interests in mine safety and in conservation of natural resources as well as other aspects of his work. Also included are correspondence and other materials relating to the establishment of the United States Bureau of Mines; clippings concerning Holmes, especially after his death; and other items.
Creator Holmes, J. A. (Joseph Austin), 1859-1915.
Curatorial Unit University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
Language English
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Restrictions to Access
No restrictions. Open for research.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the J. A. Holmes Papers, #3866, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Alternate Form of Material
Extracts from the memorandum books are available on microfilm.
Acquisitions Information
Gifts 1968; 1975; 1976
Additional Descriptive Resources
A copy of the original finding aid for this collection is filed in folder 1a.
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.
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Processed by: SHC Staff

Encoded by: Noah Huffman, December 2007

Updated by: Kathryn Michaelis, May 2011

Updated by: Laura Hart, August 2021

This collection was processed with support from the sponsorship of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of Preservation, Washington, D.C., 1990-1993.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Biographical Information

Joseph Austin Holmes (1859-1915) was professor of geology and natural history, University of North Carolina, 1881-1903; state geologist, first head of the North Carolina Geological Survey, 1891-1905; director of the department of mines and metallurgy, Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.), 1903- 1904; chief of the technological branch, United States Geological Survey, 1905- 1910; chief, United States Bureau of Mines, 1910-1915.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Scope and Content

The collection includes correspondence and memorandum books of Holmes, clippings about Holmes, and other items. Included are about 100 letters, 1891-1915, from Holmes to his wife, Jane Sprunt Holmes of Wilmington, N.C., describing his work during job-related travels, discussing personal and family matters, and expressing his affection for her. Holmes's letters to his wife describe his life and work in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, N.C., his visits to other locations in North Carolina, and his travels and work in St. Louis, Mo., Washington, D.C., and other locations throughout the United States, especially in the West, and in Europe. Fourteen memorandum books, 1899- 1915, contain Holmes's notes, accounts, and brief descriptions of daily activities, especially while travelling and at professional meetings. The correspondence and the memorandum books document Holmes's particular interests in mine safety and in conservation of natural resources as well as other aspects of his work. Also included are correspondence and other materials relating to the establishment of the United States Bureau of Mines; clippings concerning Holmes, especially after his death; and other items.

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Contents list

expand/collapse Expand/collapse J. A. Holmes Papers, 1899-1968.

About 1,500 items.
Folder 1a

Original finding aid

Folder 1-2

Folder 1

Folder 2

Papers, 1909-1968

Folder 3-6

Folder 3

Folder 4

Folder 5

Folder 6

Clippings, 1907-1963

Folder 7

Descriptions of 1966 and 1975 additions, resume of Joseph Holmes, and memoranda

Folder 8-15

Folder 8

Folder 9

Folder 10

Folder 11

Folder 12

Folder 13

Folder 14

Folder 15

Letters from Joseph Holmes to his wife, 1891-1915

Folder 16

Letters from Joseph Holmes during his last illness, 1914-1915

Folder 17

Condolences relating to Joseph Holmes's death, 1915-1916

Folder 18-20

Folder 18

Folder 19

Folder 20

Letters, resolutions, and copies of congressional bills

Resolutions supporting the establishment of a United States Bureau of Mines and copies of bills from the United States House and Senate.

Folder 21-22

Folder 21

Folder 22

Letters and memoranda by Joseph Holmes, 1905-1910

Folder 23

Letters written to President William Howard Taft, supporting Joseph Holmes for director of the United States Bureau of Mines, 1910

Folder 24

Clippings from creation of Bureau of Mines to Holmes's appointment as director, 1909-1910

Folder 25

Diaries of Holmes, transcribed by J. A. Holmes II; clipping about Holmes's birthplace

Folder 26

Memorials and tributes to Joseph Holmes

Folder 27

Papers of Dr. J. A. Holmes

Folder 28

Miscellany

Folder 29

North Carolina forests and forestry data

Folder 30

Clippings on mine safety demonstration in Pittsburgh

Folder 31

Volume 1: Notes by Joseph Holmes as North Carolina State Geologist, 1899-1902

Folder 32

Volume 2: Daily expenses related to planning the Exposition at St. Louis, 1902-1904

Folder 33

Volume 3: Engagement book, 1903

Folder 34

Volume 4: Diary of business trip to Europe, 1905

Folder 35

Volume 5: Diary of business-related travel throughout the United States, 1906

Folder 36

Volume 6: Diary of business-related travel throughout the United States, 1907

Folder 37

Volume 7: Notes on coal lands and other public-land problems

Written in Denver, Colo.; North Dakota; Montana; and Canada.

Folder 38

Volume 8: Card case

Contains railroad passes, a Western Union credit card, and a few business cards and addresses.

Folder 39

Volume 9: Scrapbook, 1915-1916

Folder 40

Volume 10: Diary, 1908

Folder 41

Volume 11: Diary, 1909

Folder 42

Volume 12: Diary, 1910

Folder 43

Volume 13: Diary, 1911

Folder 44

Volume 14: Diary, 1912

Folder 45

Volume 15: Diary, 1914

Folder 46

Volume 16: Diary, 1915

Folder 47

Volume 17: Book of tributes and memorials to Holmes,1915

Folder 48

Volume 18: Scrapbook of clippings relating to Holmes

Reel M-3866/1

Microfilm copy of selected memorandum

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