Guide to the Department of Chemistry Records, 1952-2001
No restrictions.
Department of Chemistry: Records, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
In 1805 Parker Cleaveland was offered a Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, thus beginning the instruction of science at Bowdoin. With the establishment of the Medical School in 1820, Cleaveland's lectures in chemistry were offered to College and medical school students, with both lectures and laboratory work conducted in Massachusetts Hall. Paul Chadbourne, Cyrus Brackett and George Goodale succeeded Cleaveland and expanded the chemistry program, which moved to Adams Hall in 1862. Under the leadership of Presidents Chamberlain and Hyde, and the specific direction of Franklin Clement Robinson (Bowdoin professor of chemistry, 1874-1910) the chemistry curriculum expanded and the department moved into new facilities in the Searles Science Building in 1894.The department moved again in 1952 when the Laboratory of Chemistry (Cleaveland Hall) was completed.
This collection contains a booklet prepared for the Laboratory of Chemistry (Cleaveland Hall) dedication on June 6, 1952. In addition to the dedication program, the booklet includes a history of chemistry at Bowdoin and a description of the Laboratory of Chemistry. There is also a Stirling engine, which was used by the Chemistry Department in the late 1800s and ealy 1900s to run its stirrers.
Arranged alphabetically.
A History of Chemistry at Bowdoin College by Dana W. Mayo, ca. 1988
Laboratory of Chemistry booklet including a history of chemistry at Bowdoin, a description of the Laboratory of Chemistry (Cleaveland Hall), and dedication program for the Laboratory of Chemistry, 1952 Jun 6
An Exploration in Biochemistry, poster, 1971
A Conference on the Hydrogen Bond in Biological Systems, poster, 1971
Stirling engine information, 2001
Stirling engine (ca. late 1800s) stored in basement stacks
A Conference on the Application of Mass Spectrometry to Biomeidcal Problems, poster, 1972