Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Other Formats Available

In addition to paper copies, digital files of select meeting minutes and newsletters are available.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Rockingham Bird Club Records, 1975-2023, SC 0352, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Art Fovargue, club historian and member, in February and March 2023. A third donation was made in December 2023.

Administrative History

Established in 1974, the Rockingham Bird Club is a local chapter of the Virginia Society of Ornithology, Inc. The purpose of the club is to promote interest in the study of birds, and in the conservation of birds and other natural resources. With the exception of a summer hiatus, the club holds monthly meetings and publishes monthly newsletters. The American Goldfinch has been used as the club's emblem since its establishment and is the inspiration for the club newsletter, Goldfinch Gazette. Additional club activities include, or have previously included, publishing seasonal reports on bird sightings and bird activities, conducting Christmas bird counts, holding an annual bird seed sale, hosting speakers, and organizing field trips.

The club has published two editions of Birds of Rockingham County , in 1998 and 2022, respectively.

Scope and Contents

The collection comprises administrative files, founding documents, reports, membership lists, newsletters, meeting minutes, scrapbooks, ephemera, and photographs documenting the activities of the Rockingham Bird Club.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series and further arranged chronologically. Exceptions to this arrangement were made within series to keep like groupings of records together. The newsletters are arranged chronologically and foldered according to volume number.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Administrative records
• Bird populations -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
• Bird watching -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
• Birds -- Identification -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
• Birds -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
• Fovargue, Art
• Minutes (administrative records)
• Newsletters
• Scrapbooks
• Virginia Society of Ornithology