Lichen Specimens from the Mason E. Hale, Jr. Papers
Thin-layer chromatography glass plates of lichen specimens from the Mason E. Hale, Jr. Papers
Mason E. Hale, Jr. (1928–1990) was a curator of lichens in the Department of Botany at the National Museum of Natural History for 33 years. During his tenure, he collected nearly 80,000 specimens for the museum. Hale was innovative in his use of chemical tests and modern technology in his study of lichens. In particular, he used thin-layer chromatography to separate out their organic components and discover new layers in their structure. This collection consists of approximately 3 cubic feet of 9" x 9" glass plates of this process that he used in his research.
These glass plates will be rehoused and described to create better access to the collection. They will be individually enclosed in acid free materials and appropriately supported to prevent damage. They will also be digitized to minimize access and handling of the original, fragile items.
Adoption Type: Preserve for the Future
