Processed by Adam Todd in May 2007 under the supervision of Deirdre A. Scaggs, University Archivist.; machine-readable finding aid created by Eric Weig
Charles J. Norwood papers
1861-1918
University of Kentucky Libraries, Special Collections
This collection is arranged by subject in folders.
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
1986ua003: [identification of item], Charles J. Norwood papers, University of Kentucky Archives.
1.31 cubic feet (5 boxes)
The Charles J. Norwood papers contain notes, writings, scrapbooks, and photographs related to Norwood's work in the field of geology, 1861-1918.
Charles Joseph Norwood was born on September 17, 1853 in New Harmony, Indiana. As an undergraduate, Norwood attended the University of Missouri. He later earned a Master's degree from the Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical College. Norwood came to Kentucky in 1874 to take a position as an assistant geologist (he later served as director) in the Kentucky Geological Survey. Following a stint as a professor of natural science at Bethal College, Norwood was appointed the first inspector of Kentucky mines in 1884. He held that position until 1897. In 1902, he began a relationship with the University of Kentucky. While at the university, Norwood founded the College of Mines and Metallurgy and served the college as a professor and its dean. Norwood planned and supervised the Kentucky Mineral Exhibit at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. The Mining Building on the University of Kentucky campus was named after Charles Joseph Norwood on May 31, 1930 upon President Frank LeRond McVey's suggestion. Norwood died on January 20, 1927.
The Charles J. Norwood papers contain notes, writings, scrapbooks, and photographs related to Norwood's work in the field of geology, 1861-1918. The papers are related to Charles Norwood's geological studies and his correspondence while at the University of Kentucky. Norwood's typed and handwritten notes and articles allow for a close look at the nature of geological studies during his era. The collection also contains notes, scrapbooks, clippings, and photographs related to his work. There is a 1904 World's Fair notebook that contains Norwood's handwritten notes regarding the planning of the Kentucky Mineral Exhibit for the fair in St. Louis. The notebook also includes a floor plan of the exhibit. The Medical notebook contains handwritten descriptions of a variety of illnesses and injuries. The included photographs depict a number of scenes, including an image of Norwood with other men holding surveying equipment. The two scrapbooks in the collection contain newspaper clippings dating from 1861 to 1910 and cover the topics of politics, obituaries, poetry, and random trivia; some handwritten notes are included among the clippings. The record book dating from 1879 to around 1889 contains a list of "subscriptions" which include a name, date, and amount paid (it is not indicated what the subscriptions were for). Random newspaper clippings from a variety of sources, covering a wide variety of topics are also included throughout the record book.