Verplanck Colvin, Adirondack Artist
Title
Verplanck Colvin, Adirondack Artist
Description
Today, the United States is home to over 6,600 state park sites which span 14 million acres. The Adirondack Preserve, set up by New York state in the late 19th century, paved the way for the founding of these state parks and other protected lands.
In the mid-1800s, deforestation and farming threatened the Adirondack forests, as well as erosion and flooding. The writer S.H. Hammond recognized the need for protection: "Had I my way, I would mark out a circle of a hundred miles in diameter, and throw around it the protecting aegis of the constitution. I would make it a forest forever. It would be a misdemeanor to chop down a tree and a felony to clear an acre within its boundaries."
Inspired by Hammond's words, Verplanck Colvin (a lawyer, illustrator, author, and topographical engineer with a love of the environment) compiled annual reports of the Adirondack Forest over the course of thirty years. It was Colvin who pushed for the creation of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, explaining that "unless the region be preserved essentially in its present wilderness condition, the ruthless burning and destruction of the forest will slowly, year after year, creep onward ... and vast areas of naked rock, arid sand and gravel will alone remain to receive the bounty of the clouds, unable to retain it." His efforts to convince legislation were successful, and the Preserve was established in 1885.
In the mid-1800s, deforestation and farming threatened the Adirondack forests, as well as erosion and flooding. The writer S.H. Hammond recognized the need for protection: "Had I my way, I would mark out a circle of a hundred miles in diameter, and throw around it the protecting aegis of the constitution. I would make it a forest forever. It would be a misdemeanor to chop down a tree and a felony to clear an acre within its boundaries."
Inspired by Hammond's words, Verplanck Colvin (a lawyer, illustrator, author, and topographical engineer with a love of the environment) compiled annual reports of the Adirondack Forest over the course of thirty years. It was Colvin who pushed for the creation of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, explaining that "unless the region be preserved essentially in its present wilderness condition, the ruthless burning and destruction of the forest will slowly, year after year, creep onward ... and vast areas of naked rock, arid sand and gravel will alone remain to receive the bounty of the clouds, unable to retain it." His efforts to convince legislation were successful, and the Preserve was established in 1885.
Creator
Verplanck Colvin
Date
ca. 1879
Source
https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b40000/3b48000/3b48900/3b48901r.jpg
Relation
Link: Wikipedia
Rights
Source: Verplanck Colvin. (2012, July 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved Oct 9, 2012, from http://bit.ly/Rbz90I
History of the Adirondack Park. (n.d.). New York State Adirondack Park Agency. Retrieved Oct 9, 2012, from http://bit.ly/RNz0A5
History of the Adirondack Park. (n.d.). New York State Adirondack Park Agency. Retrieved Oct 9, 2012, from http://bit.ly/RNz0A5
Publisher
Albany State Printer
Contributor
Verplanck Colvin
Format
Medium: Drawing
Language
English
Type
Park
Identifier
Whiteface Mountain, State Parks, Conservation, Adirondack Forests, Forest
Coverage
New York
Files
Collection
Reference
Verplanck Colvin, Verplanck Colvin, Adirondack Artist, Albany State Printer, ca. 1879
Cite As
Verplanck Colvin, “Verplanck Colvin, Adirondack Artist,” Virtual Museum of Public Service, accessed April 19, 2024, https://vmps.omeka.net/items/show/217.