Guide to the Kate Furbish Collection, Bulk, 1873-1909
Access restrictions apply to unconserved fragile originals in the volumes of the Botanical Artwork series.
Personal material: Journals (1873 May 19 - 1877 Oct 2) available on microfilm; George J. Mitchell Dept. of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Me.; 1 microfilm reel.
Illustrations in Botanical Artwork series, volumes 1-14, are available as digital files; George J. Mitchell Dept. of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Me
Kate Furbish Collection, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library.
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.
Kate Furbish (1834-1931) was born Catherine in Exeter, New Hampshire, on May 19, 1834, to Benjamin and Mary Lane Furbish. When she was barely a year of age, the family relocated to Brunswick, Maine, where she developed a passionate interest for wildflowers. Like many young women of her time, Kate pursued a genteel education, which included painting and the study of French literature; she even spent a year in Paris perfecting her painting. In 1860, however, a serious interest for science gripped Furbish after she attended a series of botany lectures in Boston by George L. Goodale, later a professor of botany at Harvard.
The bulk of Furbish's life's work--collecting, classifying, and drawing the flora of Maine--was done between 1870 and 1908. By 1880 she had earned respect among well-known naturalists, including the eminent American botanist Asa Gray. In 1894, Furbish also helped to found the Josselyn Botanical Society of Maine and she served as president in 1911. In 1908, Furbish bequeathed her collection of paintings and drawings to Bowdoin College. She died on December 6, 1931.
Kate Furbish's name gained fame in 1976 when the wild snapdragon, named the Furbish lousewort, was rediscovered after having been believed to be extinct. This discovery helped stall and eventually stop the building of the Dickey-Lincoln dam and reservoir on the St. John's River, which would have flooded 88,000 acres of northern Maine forests.
Collection primarily comprises sixteen bound volumes of Furbish's sketches and watercolors of flora, entitled "Maine Flora." Other items in the collection are correspondence, research materials such as flora identification notes and catalogues of Maine plants, herbaria, journals, manuscripts, artifacts, artifacts, printed ephemera and images of Furbish and her botanical artwork.
Two volume facsimile edition of Kate Furbish's Maine Flora (vols 1-14) published in 2016: The plants and flowers of Maine : Kate Furbish's watercolors / with an introduction by Melissa Dow Cullina, Director of Education & Staff Botanist, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield: [Brunswick, Maine] : Bowdoin College Library, 2016; this facsimile edition is also available as an e-book.
16 volumes of Furbish's botanical watercolors, entitled "Maine Flora," as well as loose sketches and watercolors of various flora, many of which are unidentified. Includes some matted artwork. The series also contains a card index to the common names of the flora depicted in the volumes.
Access restrictions apply to unconserved fragile originals in Botanical Artwork series.
Some access restrictions apply to individual volumes; see list of volumes for status.
Ranunculaceae - Cruciferae
Crassulaceae - Gaprifoliaceae (access restricted)
Violaceae - Oxalideae
Geraniaceae - Leguminosae
Rosaceae - Sacifragaceae (access restricted)
Rubiaceae - Compositae (access restricted)
Compositae (access restricted)
Lobeliaceae - Plantaginaceae
Plumbaginaceae - Labiatae
Borraginaceae - Amarantaceae (access restricted)
Polygonaceae - Urticaceae (access restricted)
Platanaceae - Araceae (access restricted)
Lemnaceae - Orchidaceae (access restricted)
Amaryllidaceae (access restricted)
Addenda (access restricted)
Addenda (access restricted)
No access restrictions.
Mentha Canadensis, American Mint, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Prunus viginiana, Common chokecherry, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Sambucus sp., Common elder, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Veratrum viride, False hellebore, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Smilax herbacea, Smooth carrionflower, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Lactuca canadensis, Wild lettuce, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Salix petiolaris, Meadow willow, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Plantanthera hookeri, Hooker's orchid, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
[Mushroom composite #1], undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
[Mushroom composite #2], undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Trillium cernuum, Nodding trillium, undated, watercolor, graphite on paper
Salix sp., Willow, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Goodyera tesselata, Checkered rattlesnake plantain, undated, Watercolor on paper
Pogonia ophioglossoides, Rose pogonia, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Cypripedium reginae, Showy lady's slipper, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Aureolaria flava, Smooth false foxglove, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Juncus greenei, Greene's rush, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Sonchus oleraceus, Common sowthistle, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Aralia hispida, Bristly sarsaparilla, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Lysimachia maritima, Sea milkwort, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Specularia perfoliata, Venus' Looking-Glass, undated, Watercolor on paper
Aralia hispida, Bristyly sarsaparilla, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
[Lilium philadelphicum], Wood lily, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Lilium philadelphicum, Wood lily, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Unknown, undated, Watercolor on paper
Unknown 2, undated, Watercolor on paper
Potamogeton sp., Pondweed, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Rosa sp., Rose, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Solanum dulcamara, Bittersweet (with hop clover), undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Prunella vulgaris, Heal-all; Melampyrum lineare, Cow-wheat; Oenothera sp., Evening primrose, undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Desmodium canadense, Showy tick-trefoil, undated, Watercolor on paper
[Unidentified Flora Composite], undated, Watercolor, graphite on paper
Unknown sketch, undated, Graphite on paper
Unidentified, 1-42
Unidentified, 43-76
Unidentified, 77-92
Unidentified, matted, 1-5
Claytonia (Spring Beauty) Newcastle, Delaware, undated (loan)
Conium maculatum (Hemlock), Brunswick, ME, August 1870 (loan)
Crab Apple Blossoms, Arsenal Grounds, Augusta, ME, May 1870 (recto); unidentified, Augusta 1870 (verso) (loan)
Gentiana, Brunswick, ME, Oct. 1872 (loan)
[Holly] "This was not gathered in Maine," undated (loan)
Hypercium ellipticum (?) Purola rotundifolia, July 1870 (loan)
Ranunculus fascicularis, des by GED [Davenport], not found in Maine, April 1899 (loan)
Salix Cordata, undated (loan)
Viola pedata, undated (loan)
Unidentified, Brunswick, ME, July 1870 (loan)
Unidentified, Brunswick, ME, August 1870 (loan)
Unidentified, April 19, 1871 (loan)
Unidentified, Aug. 1871 (loan)
Unidentified, undated (loan)
Unidentified, undated (loan)
High resolution transparencies (2.5 x 3) originally produced for Tilbury House, publishers for the Furbish book authored by the Grahams
Color slides of various Furbish botanical drawings and paintings
Color slides of eight Furbish botanical images from the Furbish book authored by the Grahams
Prints: Notecards with images from original Furbish watercolors
Black and white photographs of various Furbish botanical drawings and paintings
Negative of the Furbish lousewort (one 4x5 black and white negative)
Digital images: CD made in 2001 from scans of photographic transparencies created for the Furbish book authored by the Grahams and published by Tilbury House
Acetate composite mechanicals: Prepared by the Stinehour Press and used in the printing of Kate Furbish and the Flora of Maine by Ada Graham and Frank Graham, Jr.
Consists of correspondence between Kate Furbish and Asa Gray, and President De Witt Hyde of Bowdoin College. The series also includes journals kept by Furbish, including one from her European trip, as well as a prayer book and hymnal.
Correspondence and journals arranged chronologically.
Furbish's 1873 May 19 - 1877 Oct 2 journals are also available on microfilm.
Gray, Asa to Miss [Kate] Furbish, Harvard University, Cambridge: 1882 Jun 27
Furbish, Kate to Mrs. Johnson, East Livermore, Maine: 1894 May 13
Furbish, Kate to William DeWitt Hyde, Livermore Falls, Maine: 1908 Dec 22
Furbish, Kate to William DeWitt Hyde, East Livermore, Maine, 1909 May 5 (with typescript)
Furbish, Kate to [Brother], n.d.
Photocopies of correspondence in other collections
Journals: 1873 May 19 - 1877 Oct 2 (also available on microfilm)
Journals: European tour, 1883 Jun 15 - 1883 Aug 15
Journals: European tour, 1883 Aug 27 - 1883 Sep 25
Artifacts used by Furbish for her botanical artwork. Series includes a cloth apron, pen nibs, pens, and a ceramic dish for mixing watercolors.
"The Ornamental and Useful Plants of Maine" by F. Lamson Scribner, B.S.
Glass jar of pen nibs
2 pens
Cloth apron
Ceramic dish for mixing watercolors
Prayer book; hymnal
Furbish Lousewort T-shirt, National Resources Council fundraiser
Chiefly writings by Kate Furbish, primarily collection lists and notes, as well as writings by other people, including a catalogue of Maine plants. The series also includes herbaria collected by Furbish.
Arranged by material type.
Writings: "A Catalogue of Maine Plants" w/ms. notes.
Writings: Collection lists [1/7].
Writings: Collection lists [2/7].
Writings: Collection lists [3/7].
Writings: Collection lists [4/7].
Writings: Collection lists [5/7].
Writings: Collection lists [6/7].
Writings: Collection lists [7/7].
Writings: "An Evening in the Maine Woods" ms. of paper read by KF before the Portland Society of Natural History. 1883 Apr 2
Writings: "General Notes - Botany."
Writings: Norland-Grange lecture [photocopy; original in Pejebscot Historical Society Archives].
Flora identification notes [1/2].
Flora identification notes [2/2].
"Botanical Maine."
Notes removed from inside cover of "Botanical Maine."
Miscellaneous botanical notes.
"Bulletin of the Natural History Society of New Brunswick." 1898.
Catalogues of Maine Plants.
"Catalogue of the Phaenogamous Plants..." [3 copies].
"The Grasses of Maine" by C.H. Fernald, A.M. 1885.
"Outlines of the Classification of Plants" by Charles H. Clark.
Robinson, Benjamin and Merritt Fernald. "Gray's New Manual of Botany." Seventh Edition.
Herbaria.
Primarily writings and articles about Furbish, as well as clippings. The series also includes miscellaneous printed ephemera.
Arranged by material type.
Articles about Kate Furbish [1/3].
Articles about Kate Furbish [2/3].
Articles about Kate Furbish [3/3].
Reviews of books about Kate Furbish.
Miscellaneous printed ephemera.
Clippings.
Endangered Flora Commemorative Stamps: First day of issue, 7 June 1979.
Map of the Gulf of Maine, printed and matted
Josselyn Society, committe announcement, 1895.
Poster announcing the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens exhibit of Kate Furbish illustrations, 2011 Sep 20-30
Josselyn Society, list of plants found by Furbish potentially gone from Maine, 1995
Kate Furbish Botanist an appreciation by Louise H. Coburn, 5 copies; photo enc. [on the board-walk, Atlantic City, 5 women]
Pejepscot Historical Society, Catalogue of Exhibits, 1924
Print of wall plaster from Pompeii purchased by Kate Furbish in 1883
Furbish, Benjamin to his brother, 1835 Sep 19
Furbish, Benjamin to John Furbish, 1861-1862
Furbish, John, correspondence re: military service, 1861-1864
Furbish, James to John Furbish, 1873 Aug 18
Furbish, James to Frank Furbish, 1874 May 29
Furbish, John to Kate Furbish, re: death of Frank Furbish, Mexico City, 1897
Kerr, Alice Furbish, correspondence with Bowdoin College, 1969-2000
Kerr, Alice Furbish, correspondence with Furbish researchers, 1975-2000
Kerr, Alice Furbish, correspondence with Ada and Frank Graham, 1980-1994
Furbish, Frank to [Friend], n.d.
Furbish, Benjamin L., obituary, 1952
Furbish Genealogy
Furbish, Benjamin, re: death and estate, 1873
Furbish hardware store ephemera, 1867, n.d.
Furbish, Benjamin, re: business records and personal receipts (inc. tuition bill for Kate Furbish), 1832-1865
Furbish, Benjamin, diary 1861 (loan)
Clippings regarding the drowning of Edward P. Furbish (1863 and 1878), brother of Kate Furbish
Furbish, John, Facts about Brunswick, Maine, 1862 (published 1976)
Furbish, John, typescript lecture, 1899
Furbish, John, obituary, 1905
Furbish, Samuel Benson, obituary clippings, 1936
Furbish, Maria Louise Day (wife of John Furbish), ca. 1895
Sketch of residence of Sam Furbish, Wells, Maine, 1912 (?) by Kate Furbish (?)
Furbish, Kate, n.d. Tintype
Furbish, Kate and her Brunswick home (exterior and interior), 1908, n.d. Black and white photographs
Furbish, Kate with members of the Josselyn Botanical Society of Maine, Farmington, 1896. Cabinet card
Furbish home on Cumberland St. and hardware store. 6 stereographs (loan)
Furbish Hardware Store, ca. 1942. 2 photographs (loan)
Photographs (2) of Europe collected by Kate Furbish (loan)
Photograph of Brunswick, ca. 1853, copy (loan)
Furbish family photographs (3) (loan)
Furbish, Mildred Grush (wife of John Arthur Furbish). 2 photographs (loan)
Furbish, Kate and her home. 4 photographs (loan)
Furbish, Kate and her brothers. 1 photograph (loan)
Furbish, John Arthur (nephew of Kate Furbish). 13 photographs (loan)
Furbish, Benjamin and Mary Lane (Kate Furbish's parents). 2 photographs (loan)
Children of John Furbish and Maria Louise Day (Kate Furbish's nephews and niece (loan)