The History of Our Burroughs Nature Club
The Burroughs Nature Club had a rather modest start in 1916, when fifteen Willoughby nature-lovers subscribed to a complete set of Nature books by John Burroughs. A few months later they organized the Burroughs Nature Club of Willoughby, with Frank N. Shankland as its president. During the first few years the club held meetings in the homes of members, and as the club grew in popularity and membership it was necessary to meet in larger quarters. Dinner meetings were held in local churches and dining rooms including Andrews School.
Shortly after the club was organized, a young chemist from New Jersey - whose hobby was nature-study, moved to Willoughby and soon became an active member of Burroughs Nature Club. That man was C.M. Shipman. In 1919 he succeeded Frank Shankland as president and held that post until his death in 1947, at which time Frank Shankland again picked up the reigns - followed by Ben S. Daniels and Harold J. Zimmerman.
Another milestone in the history of the club occurred in the spring of 1921 when Dr. Francis Herrick - head of the Biology Department of Western Reserve University and one of Frank Shankland’s former teachers - asked if he might bring six or eight Cleveland “Bird-Sharps” to the Willoughby “Bird-Preserves” for a tramp in the woods with Shankland and Shipman as guides. Among the guests was Henry Turner Bailey the great artist and writer who had just been appointed Dean of the Cleveland School of Art. Dean Bailey was so enthusiastic over the day’s outing that he agreed to come out once a year for the all-day hike and give a lecture in the evening before the Burroughs Nature Club. These lectures were illustrated by his marvelous free-hand sketches, and continued for many years. Later, when the whole membership was invited to join the all day hikes, the evening lecture was discontinued.
Mr. Shipman was an early advocate in the field of conservation, and this interest became a full time project from the year 1924. He collaborated with Dr. Herrick in the famous study of the American Eagle in Vermilion; was instrumental in securing the Hach Bird Sanctuary for the Cleveland Bird Club; and was a leading figure in having the state of Ohio purchase the Black-Brook Mentor Marsh area to be held in its natural condition as a wildlife refuge. (The Division of Parks decided to name the refuge in his honor.)
The Burroughs Nature Club has been unusually fortunate in having many outstanding naturalists as members. The club welcomes everyone who expresses a desire to share in the fun of exploring woods, fields, and waterways, and in the efforts to enlist support in protecting and preserving wildlife.
Shortly after the club was organized, a young chemist from New Jersey - whose hobby was nature-study, moved to Willoughby and soon became an active member of Burroughs Nature Club. That man was C.M. Shipman. In 1919 he succeeded Frank Shankland as president and held that post until his death in 1947, at which time Frank Shankland again picked up the reigns - followed by Ben S. Daniels and Harold J. Zimmerman.
Another milestone in the history of the club occurred in the spring of 1921 when Dr. Francis Herrick - head of the Biology Department of Western Reserve University and one of Frank Shankland’s former teachers - asked if he might bring six or eight Cleveland “Bird-Sharps” to the Willoughby “Bird-Preserves” for a tramp in the woods with Shankland and Shipman as guides. Among the guests was Henry Turner Bailey the great artist and writer who had just been appointed Dean of the Cleveland School of Art. Dean Bailey was so enthusiastic over the day’s outing that he agreed to come out once a year for the all-day hike and give a lecture in the evening before the Burroughs Nature Club. These lectures were illustrated by his marvelous free-hand sketches, and continued for many years. Later, when the whole membership was invited to join the all day hikes, the evening lecture was discontinued.
Mr. Shipman was an early advocate in the field of conservation, and this interest became a full time project from the year 1924. He collaborated with Dr. Herrick in the famous study of the American Eagle in Vermilion; was instrumental in securing the Hach Bird Sanctuary for the Cleveland Bird Club; and was a leading figure in having the state of Ohio purchase the Black-Brook Mentor Marsh area to be held in its natural condition as a wildlife refuge. (The Division of Parks decided to name the refuge in his honor.)
The Burroughs Nature Club has been unusually fortunate in having many outstanding naturalists as members. The club welcomes everyone who expresses a desire to share in the fun of exploring woods, fields, and waterways, and in the efforts to enlist support in protecting and preserving wildlife.