TheRed Hill Estate (1929-1941) /

Archbold Biological Station (founded 1941),as a part of the

Historical Legacyof the

Roebling and Archbold Families

by

Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, April 2005

http://www.archbold-station.org/abs/archbold/historyindex.htm

The genesis of the Archbold Biological Station, and its longstanding (64 years, 1941-2005) success in ecological research and education, is based on a remarkable confluence of philanthropy by two of America’s major business families; the Roebling and the Archbold.

The Roebling family excelled in construction and manufacturing engineering; building enduring suspension bridges, manufacturing plants, and even estates. The Archbold family had a strong tendency for the support of science. Both families donated land for parks, conservation, and science.

At the Archbold Biological Station, all three family traditions; construction of enduring buildings, creation of parks and preserves, and generous support of science, came together in continuing perfection.

Family tree (abbreviated) of the Roeblings 

John August Roebling(1806 - 1869)

Washington Augustus Roebling(1837 - 1926)

John August Roebling, II(1867 - 1952)

Donald Roebling(1908 - 1959)

Ferdinand William Roebling(1842 - 1917)

Karl Gustavus Roebling(1873 - 1921)

Robert Clowry Roebling(1904 - 1983)

Charles Gustavus Roebling(1849 - 1918)

John Dustin Archbold(1848 - 1916)

Anne Mills Archbold(1873 - 1968)

John Dana Archbold(1910 - 1993)

John Foster Archbold(1877 - 1930)

Richard Archbold(1907 - 1976)

Frances Archbold Hufty(1912 - )

Family tree (abbreviated) of the Archbolds 

innovative construction engineer &enterprising businessman

John August Roebling1806-1869

1831 emigrated to US, foundedfarm community Saxonburg, PA

1837 RR engineer Pennsylvaina

1841 invented wire rope

1845 first suspension bridge; acanal aqueduct at Pittsburgh

1855 first suspension bridge fora RR at Niagra Gorge

1867 signed contract for theBrooklyn Bridge

John Dustin Archbold1848-1916key executive in growth and success of

Standard Oil Company

1875 Director of Standard Oil

1882 Standard Oil of NJ founded

1896 - 1911 PresidentStandard Oil of NJ

1886 - 1916 Board of TrusteesSyracuse University

The Roeblings and Archbolds donated landFor three parks (city, state, and national).

Family Patterns Land Donated for Parks / Conservation

Anne Mills Archbold, 1873-1968

1922 78 acres Hillandale Estate, Wash., DC1924 27 acres & 77 acres from C.C. Glover, Sr. = Glover-Archbold Park, now 250 a.

John Dana Archbold, 1910-1993

1975 950-acre Middleham Estate, Dominicadonated to The Nature Conservancy,later to Dominica for National Park addition

Margaret Shippen Roebling

1930 $50,000 for 500-acreHooker Hammock, Sebring, FL;

died October 24, 1930

1931 – 1934 J.A.Roebling II$300,000 for development &

maintenance of the park

1935 donated to the state asHighlands Hammock State Park

with $50,000 for maintenance

The Roeblings and Archbolds donatedland and facilities for

three scientific research institutions.

The Archbolds supported five separatescientific research programs.

The Roeblings amassed and donateda major collection of minerals.

Family Patterns - Support of Science

Washington Agustus Roebling1837-1926

1926 W.A. Roebling’smineral collection donated toSmithsonian Institutionby his son, J.A. Roebling II,with $150,000 endowment

Robert Clowry Roebling1904-1983

1968 500-acre Modena PlantationDonated to State of Georgia forSkidaway Institute of Oceanography

Anne Mills Archbold, 1873-1968Botanical Exploration of Pacific Islands

1939 “Cheng Ho” vessel constructed in Hong KongJan - July 1940 – 1st CH Expedition, IndonesiaNov ‘40 - July ‘41 – 2nd CH Expedition, Fiji

John Dana Archbold, 1910-1993Biological Survey of Dominica (BSD)

1950s – 1970s Breden-Archbold-Smithsonian BSD60+ scientific papers described 170 new species1989 His 90-acre Springfield Plantation becameArchbold Tropical Research Center, Clemson University

1924 - 1929 Cooperative Quail Investigation, Thomasville, GA

1929 -1931 (with wife May) French-Anglo-American Zoological Expedition to Madagascar

John Foster Archbold1877-1930

1932 - 1976 AMNH Research Associate & major benefactor1933 - 1939 3 New Guinea ExpeditionsPost WW2 4 New Guinea Expeditions, 1 Australia, 1 CelebesDec. 30, 1969 AMNH Centennial Commemorative Medal for distinguished service

Richard Archbold 1907-1976Patron of Science

Frances Archbold Hufty

1976-1991 President of Archbold Expeditions1991-present Chairman of Archbold Expeditions

Founding of Archbold Biological Station in 1941

The remarkable confluence of philanthropy

JARII built the Red Hill Estate (1929-1941) in the design of Roebling industrial buildings

and in his grandfather’s spirit.

John A. Roebling, II1867-1952

The Main Grounds buildings at theRed Hill Estate, November 7, 1935

Donald Roebling, son of John A. Roebling, II, and school-time friend of Richard Archbold, facilitated the donation of his father’s Red Hill Estate to Richard Archbold in 1941.

On July 21, 1941, John A. Roebling and his second wife, Helen Price Roebling, deeded 1,058 acres of land to Archbold Expeditions as an “absolute, unqualified and unrestricted gift.”

In October 1941, Richard Archbold became the Resident Director of the Archbold Biological Station, supporting the operation of the Station, managing the day-to-day operation of the facility, and living in the Main Building until his death in 1976.

The Founding of Archbold Biological Station

The long-term success of ecological research stations is based on three essential ingredients; land, physical plant, and an adequate dedicated endowment.

These ingredients came together at the Archbold Biological Station in the proper balance that has continued to attract talented scientists, interested in long-term ecological research, for over 64 years.

Physical plant. The extraordinary Roebling buildings at the Red Hill Estate form the core campus of Archbold.

Land. 1941 1,058-acre Red Hill Estate 1973 2,773a, R. Archbold purchase 1983 239a, the Hufty Tract (Lake Annie) 1990s 1,300a, several purchases & mitigation parcels 2002 3,648a, the Reserve (Frances Hufty) Total 8,841a

Endowment. At his death in 1976, Richard Archbold left his personal fortune as a permanent endowment for the Station. Archbold Expeditions has successfully managed the endowment for continued support.

With Archbold family leadership, the Station continues to thrive.

The Trustees of Archbold Expeditions meet atArchbold Biological Station, November 27, 2001.