THE HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE ON THE 75th ANNIVERSARY, 1924-1999

The Pennsylvania Academy of Science was organized on April 18, 1924 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It was an outgrowth of a AAAS meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1923. At that meeting, a group of influential scientists from Pennsylvania with national recognition discussed the feasibility of forming an organization to advance science within our state. A survey was conducted among scientists of the state to determine whether or not there was any interest in a state academy. The response was favorable, and so it was formed. Its aims were to encourage scientific research, promote interest in the teaching of science, and to stimulate the exchange of ideas among those in scientific work, especially in Pennsylvania. In addition, they saw the benefit in forming fellowships with researchers and educators in the various fields of science, as well as an opportunity to disseminate scientific knowledge through publications, and to promote interest in Junior and Senior High School students in scientific investigations. This was an ambitious undertaking. Of the founders, 21 were from colleges and universities, 14 from state government, 5 from high schools, and 3 from other areas. Although the group was diversified, the predominate members were geologists, geographers, botanists, zoologists, museum representatives, and individuals representing the Departments of Agriculture and Forest and Waters. The first papers were presented at the November meeting of the group in Harrisburg, PA in 1925.