History

History of the Blatchley Nature Study Club

The Hamilton County Nature Study Club was organized on April 28, 1922. In Some Highlights of My Life, Dr. Earl Brooks wrote how the club came to be formed:

"During my term as President of the Kiwanis Club, we arranged for a public-invited meeting on birds. For this meeting I invited Dean Fisher of Purdue U. and then President of the State Audubon Society to be speaker. I got in touch with Mr. John O. Clarke and Perry Bray and then suggested a plan to organize a local Nature Study Club. As prearranged I immediately moved that Perry Bray be authorized to call a meeting of all interested to meet at the Public Library in the near future to organize such a club. Mr. Clarke seconded the motion and it carried. In a few days Bray called such a meeting. Thus was born The Hamilton County Nature Study Club."

     On March 23, 1934 the Club changed its name to "The W. S. Blatchley Club" in order to honor Indiana's greatest naturalist and to perpetuate his name and works. Dr. W. S. Blatchley was informed of this change of name by letter dated March 24, 1934, and written to him by Dr. Earl Brooks. Dr. Blatchley replied on March 30, 1934, and stated: "I appreciate very much the high honor which your Nature Club has conferred upon me by giving it my name."

     On March 23, 1934 the Club changed its name to "The W.S. Blatchley Club" in order to honor Indiana's greatest naturalist and to perpetuate his name and works. Dr. W.S. Blatchley was informed of this change of name by letter dated March 24, 1934, and written to him by Dr. Earl Brooks. Dr. Blatchley replied on March 30, 1934 and stated: "I appreciate very much the high honor which your Nature Club has conferred upon me by giving it my name."

     On November 12, 1941 the Club was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation with the name "The Blatchley Nature Study Club, Inc." Its incorporators were Messrs. Malcolm Bundy, Roger S. Roberts, Walter A. Sharpe, Lynn Roberts, Paul T. Ulman, and Dr. Earl Brooks.

     A review of the Club scrapbooks shows the club laid out nature trails at Forest Park, which were the first ever established in the State of Indiana. They planted trees there and labeled some nine hundred objects of interest to nature students. Trees were also planted in the Court House yard and the lawn of the Public Library. The club sponsored the historical sites in the County, where they located and honored outstanding trees. They also took positions on public works that might affect the ecology and distributed the books and works of Dr. Blatchley, through sale and gifts, to a wide number of interested readers and collectors.

     Scrapbooks hold records of happy moments of members as well as sad events and losses. A collection of all annual printed programs show evidence of good fellowship and social functions as well as a wide variety of topics of interest and subjects of presentations.

     In the years 1930 through 1932, three outstanding testimonial dinners were held for living, distinguished Indiana naturalists. That for Dr. W.S. Blatchley was on June 2, 1930; that for Dr. Stanley Coulter was on June 22, 1931; and that for Dr. Amos Butler was on June 24, 1932. From the first, down through the years, Club meetings for the most part were held in the private homes of members. As early as 1935, it was said in a program "Our membership will of necessity be limited until we can realize our club home with ample auditorium facilities so that we can accept for membership the waiting list." The same thought was repeated from time to time.

     Finally two things occurred which brought the long-cherished dream of a clubhouse into reality. First, on March 8, 1963, Dr. Earl Brooks conveyed by warranty deed to the Blatchley Nature Study Club, Inc., 15 acres of land, more or less, on which to build a clubhouse and establish a sanctuary for wild flowers, plants, and wildlife. Second, Mr. Eli Lilly made a generous gift of money to the Club which was to be used for the same purpose.

     With these gifts, and with monies from the sale of Dr. Blatchley's books and Dr. Brooks' bird book, along with what the members and other friends could contribute, it was possible to build a modern clubhouse and to lay out the desired sanctuary. By Sunday, July 18, 1965, the Club could dedicate its Clubhouse, museum, and wildlife sanctuary. At the dedication, the History of the Club was given by Dr. Earl Brooks, Founder, and the Dedication Address was given by Dr. Charles M. Kirkpatrick.

     The library in the Clubhouse contains numerous volumes of materials of interest to students of nature. The museum contains many interesting specimens, many mounted and appropriately displayed. The Auditorium can accommodate more than seventy-five people with ease. All in all, the Clubhouse is ideal for the purpose for which it was constructed. The sanctuary has brought much pleasure, a peaceful oasis for members as well as animals, particularly as the city has grown. The Spring and Fall Hikes are open to the public who share the natural setting along the White River.

     A review of programs reveals that the Club over the years has studied and examined in depth many facets of nature. Each meeting has as a part thereof the nature observations of those present. The Club has lived up to its purposes admirably and strives to continue to meet the objectives. So long as the Club attracts members of the caliber of those who have guided its destinies through the years, its future is assured.

Submitted by Wm. P. Nottingham
Revised by Alice Snider and Liz Rutherford