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Harold A. Jerry, Jr. papers

 Collection
Identifier: ARL-045

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, articles, press releases, environmental studies and field reports, legislation, meeting minutes, summaries, agendas, clippings, writings, report drafts and miscellaneous publications on the Adirondacks created and compiled during service with various New York State agencies, commissions, and environmental organizations.

Dates

  • Creation: 1952 - 1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Biographical Note

Harold A. Jerry, Jr., 1920-2001, was a politician and lawyer from New York State. Born in Plattsburgh, he was a member of the New York Senate from 1959-1962. Later under Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, Jerry served as Director of the Office for Regional Development and created the Office of Planning Coordination, the first state planning office. By 1968, Jerry became executive secretary for the Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks, whose report ultimately led to the establishment of the Adirondack Park Agency and the approval of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan which included proposed Wilderness areas in the Forest Preserve. In 1989, Jerry served as a member of the Commission on the Adirondacks in the 21st Century by Governor Mario M. Cuomo. In his spare time, Jerry served as President of the Wilderness Society; Director and Chairman of the Adirondack Council; Vice President of the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks; Director of the Adirondack Nature Conservancy and Land Trust; Director of the Environmental Planning Lobby and Chairman of Ecologically Sustainable Development, Inc. In short, Harold Jerry devoted his life and career to the Adirondack Park and the furtherance of its wilderness character.

Administrative History

The Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks was appointed by Governor Rockefeller in 1968 to investigate issues that would impact on Adirondack Park use, including private and public lands; wildlife; forest; minerals, water and air; transportation and the economy; recreation; and local government. The mandate of the commission was to make recommendations that would insure development was consistent with the long-range well-being of the park area as an integrated entity. The studies and recommendations of the commission led directly to the creation of the Adirondack Park Agency.

The Commission on the Adirondacks in the Twenty-First Century was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo. Peter A. A. Berle was chairman, and George D. Davis was executive director of the commission. Issues studied by the commission resulted in technical reports on topics including Adirondack Park economy and quality of life; private land regulation; subdivision and development trends, including zoning rules and regulations; forestry, the Adirondack Forest Preserve, and state land classification and management; land acquisition, management, and parking planning; and natural resources, including biological diversity, aesthetic resources, water quality, and soil productivity.

Extent

11.09 Cubic Feet

11 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Harold A. Jerry, Jr. papers consist of 11.09 cubic feet and date from 1952-1995. The papers include environmental reports, correspondence, writings, and other records associated with Jerry's work as a government official working to prevent overdevelopment in the Adirondack Park.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged as two series, Administrative Files (1952-1995) and Printed Materials (1953-1994). Administrative files are further arranged as four sub-series based on Jerry's appointment to various agencies and commissions.

Series 1: Administrative Files, 1952-1995

Sub-series 1: National Park Study Committee, 1963-1969 Sub-Series 2: Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks, 1952-1971 Sub-Series 3: Commission on the Adirondacks in the 21st Century, 1988-1989 Sub-Series 4: Miscellaneous, 1965-1995

Series 2: Printed Materials, 1953-1994

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Jocelyn Jerry-Wolcott, October 2016.

Processing Information

The papers were processed and a finding aid written by Matthew Golebiewski in Summer 2019. Funding was provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Title
Guide to the Harold A. Jerry, Jr. papers
Date
2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English
Sponsor
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Repository Details

Part of the Adirondack Research Library Repository

Contact:
897 St. David's Lane
Niskayuna NY 12309
5183887000