HISTORY OF THE DVOC
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HISTORY OF THE DVOC
The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) was founded on February 3, 1890 in Philadelphia at William L. Baily’s family home at 1624 Arch Street. This was not far from DVOC's home since 1891, the Academy of Natural Sciences at Nineteenth and the Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Roots of the club go back to 1881.
Suggested Readings and Original Source Material
Origins and Founders by Edward Fingerhood (as published in Cassinia No. 66 1994-1995)
The Origins of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club by Founder William L. Baily. From a paper read before the Club January 5, 1891
A History of the Delaware Ornithological Club, The First One Hundred Years by Phillips M. Street (as published in Cassinia No. 63 1988-1989 Centennial Edition)
An Ornithological History of the Delaware Valley Region by Rick Mellon (as published in Cassinia No. 63 1988-1989 Centennial Edition)
The Delaware Valley Club by Founder Samuel Nicholson Rhoads in 1902 Bird-Lore Magazine
The D.V.O.C. and its Twentieth Birthday by George Spencer Morris (as published in Cassinia No. 13 1909)
Souvenir Booklet from the 20th Anniversary in 1910 - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Letter from William L. Baily to J. Fletcher Street dated 1/20/1940 in which he speaks of the origins of the DVOC
Comments by Fletcher Street on the occasion on the 50th anniversary of the club, on the founders and other early members.
From the Archives: February 3, 1890 - a presentation to the club in January 2012 by Bert Filemyr
Founders
William Lloyd Baily
George Spencer Morris
Samuel Nicholson Rhoads
Spencer TrotterAlso on this page.......
- Abstracts of Proceedings 1890 - 2005
- Members since 1890
- Cassinia and John Cassin
- Images of Founders and Early Members
- The Catoxen Cabin on the Rancocas, Burlington County, NJ
- DVOC Outing to Glover's Mill (NJ) - 4/5/1901
- An Ornithological Marathon 2/22/1909
- 1898 Picture
- 1948 Picture
- 1982 Picture
- 1990 Picture
- 2015 Picture
- DVOC in Alaska
- Officers of the DVOC
- Councillors of the DVOC
- Anniversary Dinners
- May Runs (Spring Roundups)
- Member Photographs from Alan Brady
- The Strange Case of DVOC Member Charles J. Pennock
Abstract of Proceedings 1890 - 2005
Since 1890 the DVOC has published a record of birding in the Delaware Valley. The first four publications were "Abstracts of Proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club of Philadelphia". Since 1900 the publication has been called Cassinia. Each one of these volumes has include a brief summary of meetings.
Here is a page with links to all the DVOC meetings from 1890 - 2005.
These lists has been created from information in the Abstracts of Proceedings and in Cassinia. It is as accurate as possible but there probably are some ommisions. If anyone has information to make this list more accurate please contact the webmaster.
| Members who joined between.... | |
Click Here for a list of active members.
The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) is one of the oldest bird clubs. In April 2004, the West Midland Bird Club generated a chronology of bird club founding dates. This list can be found at
http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/club/older.htm
Several pictures from "D.V.O.C. Day at Catoxen" are included in the booklet entitled "The D.V.O.C. Twenty Year Souvenir" issued at the Twentieth Anniversary Meeting of the D.V.O.C., Philadelphia, January 6, 1910.
Click Here to see these pictures.
Click Here to see what the cabin looks like in 2011
Click Here to read the article from the 1908 Cassinia about the cabin
Click Here to read the article from the 1908 Cassina about the bird life around the cabin
Click here for two pictures from the Samuel Nicholson Rhoads Collection of the Historical Society of Haddonfield
Several pictures from "An Ornithological Marathon" are included in the booklet entitled "The D.V.O.C. Twenty Year Souvenir" issued at the Twentieth Anniversary Meeting of the D.V.O.C., Philadelphia, January 6, 1910.
Click here to see these pictures.
Pictures of various members from the early years are included in the booklet entitled "The D.V.O.C. Twenty Year Souvenir" issued at the Twentieth Anniversary Meeting of the D.V.O.C., Philadelphia, January 6, 1910.
Click here to see these pictures.
The DVOC's Journal, Cassinia is named in honor of American ornitholgist John Cassin. Click Here for information on his life and his final resting place.
The DVOC in Alaska by John LaVia - June-July 1974
The tradition of an annual banquet only dates back to 1970. Previous to that, banquets were only held on significant anniversaries of the club.
At the July 2012 Informal Summer Meeting Bert Filemyr presented "The Strange Case of DVOC Member Charles J. Pennock" Click Here for more on this member.
This picture is included in the booklet entitled "The D.V.O.C. Twenty Year Souvenir" issued at the Twentieth Anniversary Meeting of the D.V.O.C., Philadelphia, January 6, 1910
This photograph appeared in Volume #37 of the Cassinia
Click Here for a high quality version of this picture and the names of some of the members
This photograph, taken by Alan Brady, appeared in Volume #60 of the Cassinia
If you can add to, or correct, any names on this list, please e-mail the webmaster -
| Row 1 right to left 1. Jim Merritt 2. Jim Akers 3. Bob Sehl 4. George Reynard 5. Harry Franzen 6. Harry Todd 7. Gene Stern 8. John Lavia 9. Rick Mellon 10. Bob Mercer Row 2 right to left |
Row 3 right to left 1. Ed Manners 2. 3. Phil Livingston 4. 5. 6. Tom Reeves 7. 8. Dale Twining 9. 10. Doman Roberts Row 4 right to left |
Row 5 right to left 1. 2. Walter Lipski 3. Augie Sexauer 4. Bill Kershner 5. Herb Cutler 6. Phil Street 7. 8. 9. Mark Robbins? 10. Row 6 right to left |
Row 7 right to left 1. Howard Brokaw 2. 3. |
This photograph, taken by Bill Hoehne and Al Kronschnabel, appeared in Volume #63 of the Cassinia
Officers of the DVOC 1890 - Present
The Constitution and By-laws as adopted on October 19, 1939 established a six person Council who along with the officers of the club are the governing body of the club.
For many years one of the traditions of the DVOC has been the "May Run" also known as the "Spring Roundup"
Each year teams were formed and strategy was planned. There was no restriction on number of team members or the geographic area to be covered. After results were compiled a winner was declared. The prize - "bragging rights" for the year!
Click Here for more information
Honorary Member Alan Brady has provided the club with pictures of "Some old reprobates from the DVOC"
Click Here to see the pictures
Anniversary Dinners Have been held in 1915, 1930, 1940, 1965, and 1990. Click Here for further information.
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