Ralph Donnelly papers
Collection Scope and Content
This Collection contains correspondence, photographs, newsletters, maps, meeting minutes, reports, and surveys. This material convers the years 1954-94 and documents the activities of the C & O Canal Association and relate specifically to the C & O Canal.
Dates
- 1838-1994
Creator
- Donnelly, Ralph (Person)
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research.
Restrictions on Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Biographical Note
Ralph Donnelly was an active member of the C & O Canal Association and one of the people who worked with Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas to transform the long abandoned C & O Canal into a national park.
Ralph Donnelly spent sixty-six years as a surveyor. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in civil engineering and a commission in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He surveyed road and parks and designed bridges. In World War II, Major Ralph Donnelly, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, served in England, Scotland, France, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Licensed after the war as a professional surveyor in two states, Ralph Donnelly joined J.B. Ferguson & Co. of Hagerstown, Maryland. He retired five decades later as a senior partner. He was president of the Washington County, MD Historical Society, president of the Maryland Society of Surveyors, and vice-chairman of the Maryland Board of Registration.
Extent
3 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection contains correspondence, photographs, newsletters, maps, meeting minutes, reports, and surveys. This material convers the years 1954-94 and documents the activities of the C & O Canal Association and relate specifically to the C & O Canal.
Collection Organization
Organized into five series: C & O Canal Association; Publications; Narrative reports, publications, and membership materials; Oversized maps, blueprints, and other architectural information; and ephemera.
Acquisition Information
[required]
- Canals Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (Md. and Washington, D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Donnelly, Ralph
- Maps Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Washington (D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Ralph Donnelly papers, 1838-1994
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
