Archive of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Frankfurt/M.
The archive of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) preserves the history of the society in two different fields: It collects scientific and historical documents from the SGN’s fields of work, i.e. botany, zoology, oceanography, ecology, paleontology, geology and mineralogy. However, the archive also documents the history of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung itself by means of membership lists, minutes of meetings, letters, building plans and deeds.
Inventory
The archive consists of documents of all kinds, such as the manuscripts of Eduard Rüppell, the most important co-founder of the Senckenberg Research Collections. Photographs, estates, documentation on personalities of the SGN and various documents on exhibitions and construction projects are also kept. There are also smaller collections of posters, paintings, drawings, brochures, sculptures, medals and gifts.
History
The archive of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung dates back to the founding of the “Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft” in Frankfurt in 1817. Since then, the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung has grown and is now responsible for six research institutes and three natural history museums. Some of the locations outside Frankfurt. Müncheberg, Weimar and Wilhelmshaven are particularly worthy of mention here.
Service
The archive of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung is located in the magazine building of the Institute for the History of Frankfurt (ISG).
A part of the inventory is digitally accessible.
