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Norma K. and Edwin J. Seiferle papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS1050

Scope and Content

This collection contains articles, memoranda, and correspondence relating to professional and civic organizations with which the Seiferles were involved. Among those organizations are the Atlanta Historical Society, the Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Botanical Society, and the Highpoint Civic Association. The collection also contains personal correspondence, coursework, family history, environmental studies, and travel interests. Material highlights a wide range of topics such as wildlowers, native plants, national parks, conservation, ecology, and botany.

Dates

  • 1867-1989, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Edwin J. Seiferle (1912-1995), chemist, was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1912 and graduated with a doctorate of philosophy in chemistry from Iowa State University in 1940. Seiferle met Norma Kelton at Iowa State and they married in 1936. Norma K. Sieferle (1910-1993), botanist, was born in Brookings, South Dakota in 1910 and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in botany from South Dakota State University in 1933. She earned a master of science degree in botany from Iowa State University in 1937. The Seiferles settled in Atlanta, Georgia in 1958 where Edwin worked in research and development for Tennessee Corporation which merged into Cities Service in 1963. Edwin retired in 1974. Together the Seiferles became well known conservationists and served as consultants to the Georgia state officials and the United States Forest Service, for park and wilderness development and protection.

Administrative/Biographical History

Edwin served as president of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club and was a founding member of the Georgia Conservancy. He was involved in several conservation efforts for Georgia, including fighting a proposal to extend the Blue Ridge Parkway into Georgia, protecting the Appalachian Trail from development, and opposing phosphate mining along the Georgia coast. The Conservancy was instrumental in the purchase and protection of Panola Mountain before it became a state park. Edwin founded and served as president of the Highpoint Civic Association for twelve years where he helped voice neighborhood concerns over highway development in north Fulton county.

Administrative/Biographical History

Norma was appointed second president of the Georgia Botanical Society in 1962 and was involved in many conservation projects concerning the Georgia mountains and the Chattahoochee River. She completed extensive surveys of native flora for the state and was active in protection of endangered and threatened plant species. She was an environmental consultant to the IBM corporation to assist with developing their regional headquarters. She also served as grounds chairman (1975-1986) for design and restoration of the gardens and grounds of the Tullie Smith House of the Atlanta History Center. In 1965 Norma rescued a previously unknown native azalea, Rhododendron speciosum Chattahoochee (Chattahoochee Azalea), from the western part of Fulton County, in an area that later became part of the Fulton County Industrial District and registered it with the American Rhododendron Society in 1982. Norma Seiferle died in 1993 and Edwin Seiferle died in 1995.

Extent

10.59 linear ft. (twenty-two document cases and one oversize box)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

This collection is organized into two series: I. Personal and professional papers and II. Civic papers. Each series is arranged alphabetically according to titles supplied by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1993 with a subsequent addition

Description Control

This collection was reprocessed in 2014.

Title
Norma K. and Edwin J. Seiferle papers
Author
Jennie Oldfield
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040