The Red Hill Estate (1929-1941) / Archbold Biological Station (founded 1941), as a part of the Historical Legacy of the Roebling and Archbold Families by Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, April 2005 http://www.archbold-station.org/abs/archbold/historyindex.htm
The genesis of the Archbold Biological Station, and its longstanding (64 years, 1941-2005) success in ecological research and education, is based on a remarkable confluence of philanthropy by two of America s major business families; the Roebling and the Archbold. The Roebling family excelled in construction and manufacturing engineering; building enduring suspension bridges, manufacturing plants, and even estates. The Archbold family had a strong tendency for the support of science. Both families donated land for parks, conservation, and science. At the Archbold Biological Station, all three family traditions; construction of enduring buildings, creation of parks and preserves, and generous support of science, came together in continuing perfection.
Family tree (abbreviated) of the Roeblings John August Roebling (1806-1869) Washington Augustus Roebling (1837-1926) Ferdinand William Roebling (1842-1917) Charles Gustavus Roebling (1849-1918) John August Roebling, II (1867-1952) Karl Gustavus Roebling (1873-1921) Donald Roebling (1908-1959) Robert Clowry Roebling (1904-1983)
Family tree (abbreviated) of the Archbolds John Dustin Archbold (1848-1916) Anne Mills Archbold (1873-1968) John Foster Archbold (1877-1930) John Dana Archbold (1910-1993) Richard Archbold (1907-1976) Frances Archbold Hufty (1912 - )
John August Roebling 1806-1869 1831 emigrated to US, founded farm community Saxonburg, PA 1837 RR engineer Pennsylvaina 1841 invented wire rope 1845 first suspension bridge; a canal aqueduct at Pittsburgh 1855 first suspension bridge for a RR at Niagra Gorge 1867 signed contract for the Brooklyn Bridge innovative construction engineer & enterprising businessman
1875 Director of Standard Oil 1882 Standard Oil of NJ founded 1896-1911 President Standard Oil of NJ 1886-1916 Board of Trustees Syracuse University John Dustin Archbold 1848-1916 key executive in growth and success of Standard Oil Company
Family Patterns Land Donated for Parks / Conservation The Roeblings and Archbolds donated land For three parks (city, state, and national).
Anne Mills Archbold, 1873-1968 1922 78 acres Hillandale Estate, Wash., DC 1924 27 acres & 77 acres from C.C. Glover, Sr. = Glover-Archbold Park, now 250 a. John Dana Archbold, 1910-1993 1975 950-acre Middleham Estate, Dominica donated to The Nature Conservancy, later to Dominica for National Park addition
1930 $50,000 for 500-acre Hooker Hammock, Sebring, FL; died October 24, 1930 1931 1934 J.A.Roebling II $300,000 for development & maintenance of the park 1935 donated to the state as Highlands Hammock State Park with $50,000 for maintenance Margaret Shippen Roebling
Family Patterns - Support of Science The Roeblings and Archbolds donated land and facilities for three scientific research institutions. The Archbolds supported five separate scientific research programs. The Roeblings amassed and donated a major collection of minerals.
1926 W.A. Roebling s mineral collection donated to Smithsonian Institution by his son, J.A. Roebling II, with $150,000 endowment Washington Agustus Roebling 1837-1926
Robert Clowry Roebling 1904-1983 1968 500-acre Modena Plantation Donated to State of Georgia for Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
Anne Mills Archbold, 1873-1968 Botanical Exploration of Pacific Islands 1939 Cheng Ho vessel constructed in Hong Kong Jan - July 1940 1st CH Expedition, Indonesia Nov 40 - July 41 2nd CH Expedition, Fiji John Dana Archbold, 1910-1993 Biological Survey of Dominica (BSD) 1950s 1970s Breden-Archbold-Smithsonian BSD 60+ scientific papers described 170 new species 1989 His 90-acre Springfield Plantation became Archbold Tropical Research Center, Clemson University
1924-1929 Cooperative Quail Investigation, Thomasville, GA 1929-1931 (with wife May) French-Anglo-American Zoological Expedition to Madagascar John Foster Archbold 1877-1930
Richard Archbold 1907-1976 Patron of Science 1932-1976 AMNH Research Associate & major benefactor 1933-1939 3 New Guinea Expeditions Post WW2 4 New Guinea Expeditions, 1 Australia, 1 Celebes Dec. 30, 1969 AMNH Centennial Commemorative Medal for distinguished service
Frances Archbold Hufty 1976-1991 President of Archbold Expeditions 1991-present Chairman of Archbold Expeditions
Founding of Archbold Biological Station in 1941 The remarkable confluence of philanthropy
JARII built the Red Hill Estate (1929-1941) in the design of Roebling industrial buildings and in his grandfather s spirit. John A. Roebling, II 1867-1952
The Main Grounds buildings at the Red Hill Estate, November 7, 1935
The Founding of Archbold Biological Station Donald Roebling, son of John A. Roebling, II, and schooltime friend of Richard Archbold, facilitated the donation of his father s Red Hill Estate to Richard Archbold in 1941. On July 21, 1941, John A. Roebling and his second wife, Helen Price Roebling, deeded 1,058 acres of land to Archbold Expeditions as an absolute, unqualified and unrestricted gift. In October 1941, Richard Archbold became the Resident Director of the Archbold Biological Station, supporting the operation of the Station, managing the dayto-day operation of the facility, and living in the Main Building until his death in 1976.
The long-term success of ecological research stations is based on three essential ingredients; land, physical plant, and an adequate dedicated endowment. These ingredients came together at the Archbold Biological Station in the proper balance that has continued to attract talented scientists, interested in longterm ecological research, for over 64 years.
Physical plant. The extraordinary Roebling buildings at the Red Hill Estate form the core campus of Archbold. Land. 1941 1,058-acre Red Hill Estate 1973 2,773a, R. Archbold purchase 1983 239a, the Hufty Tract (Lake Annie) 1990s 1,300a, several purchases & mitigation parcels 2002 3,648a, the Reserve (Frances Hufty) Total 8,841a Endowment. At his death in 1976, Richard Archbold left his personal fortune as a permanent endowment for the Station. Archbold Expeditions has successfully managed the endowment for continued support.
With Archbold family leadership, the Station continues to thrive. The Trustees of Archbold Expeditions meet at Archbold Biological Station, November 27, 2001.