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Collection: Harold Morrin Collection

Title: Harold Morrin Collection, Series 2 Birding Records

Object ID: MG0358_S02

Date Range: 1962-2004

President of the Lancaster County Bird Club from June 1972 to May 1976. Presented on 12 November 1976. Folder 37 Correspondence letters between the American Birding Association (ABA) and participants of the “Alaska Saga”, about the publication Birding the 49th State: An Alaska Saga. Letter to Mr. James A

1 document

Collection: Harold Morrin Collection

Title: Harold Morrin Collection, Series 2 Birding Records

Description: Series 2 of the Harold Morrin Collection contains personal journals, species checklists, newspaper articles, certificates, and correspondence in relation to birding in Lancaster County and all over the world.

Admin/Biographical History: Harold B. Morrin was born on 20 May 1923 in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Hugh B. and Hilda M. (Erisman) Morrin. His father, Hugh, passed away at an early age from complications associated with exposure to mustard gas during his service in World War I. In his 20s, Harold enlisted in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. During this time he sent letters to his mother Hilda M. Morrin about his life in the army, traveling, and social activities (the collection of correspondence can be found in MG0358_S01).; Harold graduated with a degree in business from Franklin and Marshall College. During his career, he served as president of the Lancaster Chapter of Administrative Management and served on the board of the National Association of Accountants. In 1985, Harold retired as secretary- treasurer of Lancaster Press and Tapsco companies. In addition to his career, Harold was also very active in the community, serving in leadership positions in many organizations. He was a member (since 1947) and past president of the Millersville Lions Club, an international service organization that provides humanitarian and volunteer services to the local community. Other involvements included the Lancaster County Philatelic Society (national stamp collection organization), North Museum Associates (local nature and science museum), the Millersville Borough Council, Lancaster County Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Lancaster County Elementary Envirothon, Boy Scouts of America (Troop 45), past director of the Tanger Arboretum, member of the Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Millersville pool committee, zone chairman, steering committee, board member of the Millersville Bicentennial celebration and the Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC) (LCBC 2012).; Harold was recognized as one of the "101 of the Most Vital People in South Central PA" in the local APPRISE magazine where he was pictured on the cover in 1988. It would seem as though Harold had no time for hobbies or travel with his career and community involvement but that was not the case. Harold was an avid baseball fan, seeing games in 45 major league ballparks throughout the United States. He even witnessed Babe Ruth play!; His other two passions, birding and traveling, went hand in hand. It was not until the age of 31 that Harold began birding. In 1954, he decided to start the journey of a life-list and in that first year he was able to add 70 species to the list. By the time he finished, Harold had over 3,800 species on his life-list. Harold enjoyed traveling and documented his trips with daily journal entries and species checklists of all the bird species seen. He birded in all 50 U.S. states and Canada and traveled to all 7 continents during his lifetime.; Harold's love for birds, nature and travel continued to grow thus, his participation in the Lancaster County Bird Club grew. Harold served as president from 1972-76 and again from 1984-85, and a member of the bird club's Board of Directors for over 20 years. He was also an editor for the LCBC newsletter for many years and editor of The Natural Attractions of Lancaster County, published by the LCBC in November 1977 as a supplement to "Call Notes" which included articles about the flora and fauna found in numerous areas of Lancaster County. Harold also edited and wrote portions of the book, A Guide to the Birds of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (1984) and assisted with the second edition in 1991. He authored Birding the 49th State: An Alaskan Saga in 1978 about his birding adventures on an Alaskan trip. In his later years, Harold led a weekly adult birding group in collaboration with the Lancaster County Parks Department. On February 9, 2001 the LCBC Board of Directors made Harold an honorary lifetime member of the club, an honor bestowed to only a few since the inception of the club. At this time they also decided to rename the Scholarship Program, "The Harold B. Morrin Scholarship Award" (LCBC 2012).; The Lancaster County Bird Club credits Harold with the development and growth of the club as one of the largest and most active bird clubs in the mid-Atlantic region. He inspired many renowned birders, ornithologists and photographers like Andrew Mack, Eric Witmer, Theodore A. Parker III, Jeffrey Lepore and Kenn Kaufman. On January 7, 2012 Harold passed away at the age of 88. His impact on the community was immeasurable and he is remembered by many as a "humble, selfless man, who devoted so much of his time and effort to others" (Crable 1999).; Works Cited:; Crable, Ad. "Harold Morrin: gently, he helps star birdwatchers spread their wings" New Era. 9 July 1999.; Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC). "In Memoriam Harold B. Morrin" Call Notes. 2012.; LancasterOnline. "Harold B. Morrin Obituary" LancasterOnline. 12 September 2013.

System of Arrangement: Series 1 World War II Letters, 1943-1946; Series 2 Birding Records, 1962-2004; Series 3 Family Papers, 1879-2000

Date Range: 1962-2004

Creation Date: 1962-2004

Year Range From: 1962

Year Range To: 2004

Creator: Morrin, Harold B., 1923-2012

Storage Location: LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA

Storage Room: Archives South

Storage Wall: Side 09

People: Mack, Andrew; Morrin, Harold B.

Subjects: Bird watching; Birds; Letters; Travel

Search Terms: Bird watchers; Bird watching; Birds; Certificates; Correspondence; Diaries; Finding aids; Journals; Lancaster County Bird Club; Letters; Manuscript groups; Travel

Extent: 3 boxes, 50 folders, 2 volumes, 1.5 cubic ft.

Object Name: Archive

Language: English

Object ID: MG0358_S02

Location of Originals: LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Related Item Notes: Harold Morrin Collection, Series 1 World War II Letters (MG0358_S01); Harold Morrin Collection, Series 3 Family Papers (MG0358_S03); Lancaster County Bird Club Records (MG0566); Photograph Collection

Notes: Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Access Conditions / Restrictions: Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.

Copyright: Collection may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.; Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.

Credit: Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Other Numbers: MG-358, Series 2

Classification: MG0358

Description Level: Series

Custodial History: Processed and finding aid prepared by RM, February-April 2015. Added to database 22 December 2023.

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