Albert Huntington Chester Papers

The Albert Huntington Chester papers include correspondence to Chester from scientists and friends. These letters were written from all over the world between 1875 and 1903. The letters relate chiefly to mineralogy, geology, Chester's expedition to the iron mines in Minnesota, and the publication of his books on mineralogy. To a lesser extent, the papers cover his reports as curator of the Rutgers Geological Museum in 1896, and Chester's attempt to gain admission to the Century Club in New York.

Some of the correspondents include the British Museum of Natural History, the Russian Imperial Legation in Washington, D.C., the director of Geological Survey of India, and other foreign government officials. Some of the letters are not written in English.

Some interesting letters include one from Secretary of War Elihu Root concerning a Lieutenant Fales; a letter from Walter Reed, dated February 23, 1895, from the War Department Surgeon General's office, U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library. Another is from John A. Roebling, dated April 29, 1896. A final letter is one addressed in 1903 to Chester's widow, referring to the gift of his library and mineral collection to Rutgers College.

There are also reports, field notes, and site diaries of Chester's geological expeditions. In addition, there are maps, surveys, miscellaneous reports, bills, statistics, newspaper clippings, and lectures and notes on several different scientific subjects. There are letters and reports on the exploration of Minnesota's iron mines, rock and mineral specimens and findings, and on the managerial aspects of these expeditions. The maps and surveys cover the Vermilion Lake, iron mines, and vicinity, sketches of rocks, sectional plottings and geological plottings. The site diaries contain information on the Vermilion camp site and vicinity, activities in camp and accounts and expenses for both Vermilion and Mesaba Minnesota iron ranges.