Safeguarding RTPI’s Unique and Irreplaceable Collections
Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) is a statewide program of the New York State Archives and New York State Library which provides free planning and education services to archives, libraries, museums, and other institutions that safeguard and ensure access to New York’s historical records and unique research materials. Preparation for an emergency or disaster is one of the most important steps a cultural institution can take to safeguard collections. RTPI is the only official institutional steward of the life works of Roger Tory Peterson. We maintain,...
Read MoreRoger at Hawk Mountain
We hope that you keep cozy and warm this weekend, much like Roger Tory Peterson appears to be doing in this photo from our archives! It was taken during a visit to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania ~ 1950.
Read MoreBird Extinctions
It’s not every day that we do photo shoots with organisms that have been dead for any length of time; however, on occasion the preserved bird skins in the Peterson collection still get a bit of use even though some of the birds themselves have been dead for over a hundred years, and their species extinct for decades. Many of the bird skins that lay in their likely final resting spot here at RTPI were part of Roger Tory Peterson’s collection that he used for reference while painting each species for his field guides. Nowadays they still serve a purpose for researchers and others...
Read MoreScarlet Tanager Male for National Bird Day
Since it is National Bird Day I thought I would toss up a photo of a gorgeous male Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) from my archives. I am looking forward to some more snow and winter scenes but boy, this bird certainly makes me excited for the spring… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRoger Tory Peterson woodpecker plate
Throwback Thursday – Roger Tory Peterson with one of his exquisite woodpecker plates as taken by Noble Proctor. Can you identify the birds? I’ve seen all three! Maybe the last one was not living…you can find the Red-headed Woodpecker uncommonly in a few locations Western New York and the Pileated Woodpecker in areas of sizable mature forests. The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is in RTPI’s collection along with several other now extinct species.
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