Utah Geology or Utah Paleontology

Sub-Series

Identifier: IX

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The G. Ernest Untermann papers (1893-1975) emphasize the scientific and public activities of Gerhard Ernest Untermann and his wife, Billie, both geologists and employees of the Utah Field House of Natural History in Vernal, Utah. Information regarding geological and paleontological contributions from Ernest Untermann Sr. are also included.

In the interest of chronology, the papers of Ernest Untermann Sr., comprise the first part of the collection. These two boxes include correspondence, reports, and clippings on the Washington Park Zoo, and published articles and scientific writings. Also included are biographical information and a brief autobiography.

The biographical information contained in the collection about G. Ernest and Billie Untermann has been placed in a section with their miscellaneous writings. These consist of articles written for the Utah State Parks employees newsletter, the Pow Wow; articles on their geological research; speeches and miscellaneous writings by G. Ernest; and maps.

A small section on Dinosaur National Monument contains brochures, publications, and maps about the monument area. There are also two geological guidebooks written by G. Ernest and Billie, as well as field naturalist reports written by Billie during the years the Untermanns worked for the United States Park Service.

The Utah Field House of Natural History in Vernal, Utah, was the setting for most of the Untermanns' professional life. The information on the Field House begins with its concept and follows through to the functioning of a successful museum. Reports, clippings, correspondence, and other writings about the growth of the Field House are contained in a large scrapbook kept by the Untermanns. Also included are correspondence and clippings about the Dulany Hunter Foundation and the controversy about the future of the Field House, which was brought on by conflicting opinions between Sam A. Dulany Hunter and G. Ernest Untermann.

General correspondence is arranged by subject, covering, first, letters concerned with the Field House and/or the Untermanns' roles there. This section has correspondence with Arthur G. Nord, the assistant regional forester, and the family of Earl Douglass, who discovered the dinosaur quarry. Letters from friends and visitors to the musuem expressing their appreciation to the Untermanns are filed chronologically. A bound volume of congratulatory letters given to G. Ernest and Billie on their retirement from the Field House is included.

The central portion of the collection is concerned with the controversy over the Upper Colorado River Basin Project and Echo Park Dam, to be built within the confines of Dinosaur National Monument. The Untermanns were in favor of the project and these papers include their geological reasonings as to why the dam should be constructed. Correspondence about the Upper Colorado River Basin is quite extensive. Writings, speeches, and resolutions favorable to the project, as well as papers about the federal hearings, round out the picture given by newsclippings, magazines, brochures, and other publications.

Newspaper clippings by and about the Untermanns and miscellaneous subjects are filed together in rough chronological order. Included are speech notes, speeches, and writings which are not identified. Publications on geology and paleontology not written by the Untermanns have been included in the collection.

The last and largest portion of the collection consists of notes, research, and writings by Billie Untermann, including field notes about Utah. This portion contains articles and condensations of articles by other authors.

Dates

1893-1975

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.