#manyhatsofholmes

Book Feature: Random Records of a Lifetime

We are continuing our feature on William Henry Holmes for the #ManyHatsofHolmes transcription event! Holmes was the geologist for the Hayden Survey of Yellowstone in 1878, so naturally, he included geological data in his records. As part of his Random Records of a Lifetime, Holmes included photographs of the mineral deposits around hot springs and geysers, which show their unique shapes and patterns.

In the top two photos, the terraces that you see were created from mineral deposits of hot springs boiling over! In the bottom two photos, the “pillows” around the geysers were made from mineral deposits. Even today, these deposits are being explored and recorded in photographs kept by Yellowstone National Park for the scientific study of the geological history of this area. You can view more of the geological photos from Volume 3 in our Flickr album!

Book Feature: Random Records of a Lifetime

This week, we will be taking a look at Volume 3 of William Henry Holmes’ Random Records of a Lifetime as part of our continuing collaboration on the #ManyHatsofHolmes transcription event with Smithsonian Libraries (@smithsonianlibraries), Smithsonian Transcription Center (@smithsoniantranscriptioncenter), Smithsonian Archives, and Smithsonian Field Book Project. 

Volume 3 covers the Yellowstone explorations from 1872-1878, and part of what Holmes documented was all the marvelous geysers! Yellowstone National Park was founded in 1872, and it is home to over 500 geysers, which accounts for half of the world’s geysers. Our top illustration is the Castle Geyser, which may be the oldest geyser in Yellowstone, and it erupts approximately every 10-12 hours. This page from Holmes’ Records is a reproduction of a 1872 watercolor by Thomas Moran.

Next up is a circa 1872 photograph by J. E. Haynes of the Giant Geyser, which was dormant for many years after 1955. It is the second largest active geyser with eruptions reaching 250 feet and lasting for an hour, but its eruptions have become even more infrequent. 

Here’s an 1878 illustration by R. N. Brooke of Union Geyser erupting, and Holmes notes that Brooke “had not seen a geyser in action” with further comment on the illustration: “Not at all bad.” This geyser has been dormant since the late 1970s.

Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t include the most famous geyser in Yellowstone, Old Faithful. From Montana State University: “Its average interval between eruptions is about 91 minutes, varying from 65 - 92 minutes. An eruption lasts 1 1/2 to 5 minutes, expels 3,700 - 8,400 gallons (14,000 - 32,000 liters) of boiling water, and reaches heights of 106 - 184 feet (30 - 55m).” Living up to its name, Old Faithful has eruptions that are easily predictable, which is what has made it a centerpiece of Yellowstone.

How to Tag Art in Shell for #ManyHatsofHolmes

Thanks to our volunteers, 39% of Art in Shell by William Henry Holmes has been taxon tagged! Can you help tag the remaining illustrations?

As part of our collaboration on the #ManyHatsofHolmes transcription event with Smithsonian Libraries (@smithsonianlibraries), Smithsonian Transcription Center (@smithsoniantranscriptioncenter), Smithsonian Archives, and Smithsonian Field Book Project, we are adding taxonomy to the illustrations in our Flickr album for Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans.

You never know what you’ll come across while volunteering to transcribe for the @smithsoniantranscriptioncenter! This image is from our current #ManyHatsofHolmes transcription event, running through December 9th!

This image is from v. 5 of William Henry Holmes’s Random Records. Holmes was born 170 years ago, and in his long career at the Smithsonian he filled many roles. Now is our chance to make accessible his multiple unpublished scrapbooks and field notes.

He'll need no introduction to you, but Secretary Langley made one on his behalf in 1900... William Henry Holmes!

Yesterday we completely wrapped up our original #ManyHatsofHolmes goals ("Random Records of a Lifetime Volumes 1-3"), as well as 1 stretch goal: Volume 5. We are blown away by your efforts and enthusiasm and we thank you very much!

Hankering for more Holmes? You can help us chip at our stretch goals with Holmes's field notes, shared by Smithsonian Institution Archives and the Field Book Project.

OR help @biodivlibrary taxontag Flickr images in “Art of Shell.” 

We’re working to close out Day 4 of our #ManyHatsofHolmes challenge and Volume 3 is 95% complete. Will you ride in to be the hero on the final 18 pgs of Random Records of a Lifetime, Vol 3? Bring a friend or two along!  

Our #ManyHatsofHolmes celebration with Smithsonian Libraries (@smithsonianlibraries), Smithsonian Institution Archives, Biodiversity Heritage Library (@biodivlibrary), and The Field Book Project continues from Nov. 28-Dec. 9. 

Check out our #ManyHatsofHolmes stretch goals and new projects!

Happy Birthday, William Henry Holmes!

Book Feature: Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans

It’s Feathursday! This illustration from Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans is of an eagle’s head carved in shell by Native Americans, and it is half of a shell gorget, which is a shell carving meant to be worn as a necklace. William Henry Holmes notes that the artistry of this carving was unparalleled and expertly and accurately done and that it was found in Alabama.

Holmes also included this painting of a Thunderbird attributed to the Haida. According to Wisdom of the Elders, the “Haida, a North American native culture, settled in the Canadian Queen Charlotte Islands and Alaska area over 8,000 years ago.” Holmes noted that the shell carvings that he was cataloging resembled other Native American tribes’ art and culture in the use of composite figures, particularly those composed of human and bird features, like this Thunderbird.