PDF Finding Aid

Using These Materials


RESTRICTIONS:

Access to this record group is unrestricted.

More...

Navigate the Collection

Summary

Abstract:
This collection consists of a variety of materials collected by Hope Donovan during her work as an environmental activist and prominent member of the League of Women Voters of New York State. Most of the collection consists of publications, reports, conference proceedings, guides, and papers from such subject as Adirondack Park, development issues, and the Smart Growth Conferences.
Extent:
3 cubic ft.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Hope Donovan Papers, 1970-2003. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Donovan Papers).

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of a variety of materials collected by Hope Donovan during her work as an environmental activist and prominent member of the League of Women Voters of New York State. The collection spans the years 1970 to 2003. The vast majority of the materials are concerned with environmental issues in New York State. The most prominent single subject is water resources, particularly watersheds and groundwater. Other prominent subjects are the Adirondack Park, development issues, and the Smart Growth Conferences from 1999 to 2001. Materials of note include a folder on New York State's Bottle Bill, in which Donovan played a crucial role, and materials related to Guilderland (where Donovan resided), including town history, planning, and land use.

Most of the collection consists of publications, reports, conference proceedings, guides, and papers. There are also some memos and correspondence. Original signatures are rather infrequent, however. Most of the material was not written by Donovan herself, although it does include scattered handwritten notes. It is almost entirely concerned with the various environmental and civic activities connected to Donovan's career, rather than with her personal papers. Generally, the only materials that diverge from the kind of formats mentioned earlier are several maps and plans, related to the Adirondack Park in particular, and a film entitled "A Salute to Garbage."

Biographical / Historical:

Hope Taussig Donovan was born on August 29, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. Donovan attended Washington University in St. Louis. She was involved substantially with the League of Women Voters (LWV), serving on its New York State Board and working for the Albany County chapter of the organization. Donovan had a long-term interest in environmental issues and was noted for her efforts in passing the New York State Bottle Bill, which included a well-publicized walk from Buffalo to Albany to raise awareness of the issues. She worked as a lobbyist for the LWV at the state level, frequently supporting environmental issues. In addition, she was a Legislative Representative for the Adirondack Mountain Club from 1986 to 1990.

Water and air quality were central among Donovan's environmental interests and she was a member of Albany County's Water Quality Coordinating Committee. In 1986, she gave testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works about acid rain issues. Donovan, a Guilderland resident, died on August 26, 2003. At the time, she was survived by husband Robert A. Donovan, a professor in the Department of English at the University at Albany.

Acquisition information:
All items in this manuscript group were donated to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, by Charles Rielly in November 2003. 2003 November
Processing information:

Processed in 2006 March by Evan Rallis.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in two series: Water Resources and Subject Files.

Physical location:
The materials are located onsite in the department.

Contents


Access

Using These Materials

ACCESS:
The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
RESTRICTIONS:

Access to this record group is unrestricted.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

This page may contain links to digital objects. Access to these images and the technical capacity to download them does not imply permission for re-use. Digital objects may be used freely for personal reference use, referred to, or linked to from other web sites.

Researchers do not have permission to publish or disseminate material from these collections without permission from an archivist and/or the copyright holder.

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) and/or by the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. More information about U.S. Copyright is provided by the Copyright Office. Additionally, re-use may be restricted by terms of University Libraries gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks.

The Department of Special Collections and Archives is eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Hope Donovan Papers, 1970-2003. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Donovan Papers).

Schedule a Visit

Archival materials can be viewed in-person in our reading room. We recommend making an appointment to ensure materials are available when you arrive.

Schedule a Visit Hours