Guide to the Jewett Observatory Records 1948-1956
Archives 363

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Title
Jewett Observatory Records
ID
Archives 363
Date [inclusive]
1948-1956
Extent
.25 linear feet of shelf space, 1 box
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Correspondence, plans, specifications, drawings, and other documents relating to the construction of the James Richard Jewett Observatory on the Washington State University campus.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description] Jewett Observatory Records, 1948-1956 (Archives 363)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

While Washington State College had previously had one telescope, mounted on top of Carpenter Hall, it had fallen into disrepair. In 1948 Sidney Hacker of the WSC Mathematics Department put together a proposal for a campus observatory. With most of the funding coming from a gift from George F. Jewett in honor of his father, Richard, the observatory was constructed on the southeast edge of campus. It was dedicated on the evening of May 14, 1953.

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Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence and documentation either created or collected by Sidney G. Hacker of Washington State College’s Department of Mathematics between 1948 and 1956. It deals with the planning and creation of the George Jewett Observatory on the Washington State University campus.

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Arrangement

The collection is arranged in subject order. The only real series in the collection is the Correspondence, 1950-1956, and folders in that series are ordered chronologically.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2016

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply

Acquisition Information

The records were donated to the Washington State University Libraries’ Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC) in 1984 by Evelyn Hacker, and retained as MS1984-09.

Processing Information

In 2016, these observatory papers were separated out of Sidney Hacker’s papers, the majority of which dealt with unrelated instructional and personal matters. Hacker had been the first director of the Jewett Observatory. The observatory papers were processed by University Archivist Mark O’English in July, 2016

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Related Materials

Separated Material

Material from this and other Hacker donations, primarily instructional, research, and personal in nature, remains in WSU MASC as MSSM.074.

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Washington State University

Subject(s)

  • Campus buildings -- Washington (state)-- Pullman -- Jewett Observatory
  • Astronomy.
  • Colleges and Universities.
  • Washington (State)

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Detailed Description of Collection

folder

Blueprint, 32" & 30" reflector mounting 1949 

 1

Construction expenditures 1953 

 2

Correspondence  

 1950 

 3

 1951, Jan. 

 4

 1951, Feb. 

 5

 1951, Mar.-Apr. 

 6

 1951, May-Jun. 

 7

 1951, Aug.-Nov. 

 8

 1952 

 9

 1953-1956 

 10

Dedication - programs & clippings 1953 

 11

Drawings & plans 1951 

 12

Financial estimates undated 

 13

History 1953 

 14

A Report Regarding Proposals for The Observatory of The State College of Washington  1948 

 15

Set-up instructions for telescope [1952] 

 16

Specifications 1951 

 17