Alonzo W. Pond papers

Collection

Identifier: MC 86

Staff Only

Abstract

Alonzo William Pond graduated from Beloit College in 1918 and served as the assistant curator at the Logan Museum of Anthropology from 1925-1931. He was leader of the Logan Sahara Expedition in 1925-26 and two African expeditions, one in 1926-27 and another in 1929-30. He participated in numerous other expeditions to such locations as France, Algeria and Asia. His papers primarily consist of his writing, both published and unpublished, as well as personal correspondence and reproductions of his personal diaries from World War I and from one of his expeditions to Africa. There are also photographs, news articles, biographical information, and personal ephemera.

Dates

1913-2003

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research; however, certain materials are very fragile and require Archives staff for handling, or use may be restricted altogether.

Biographical / Historical

Excerpt from: The Janesville Gazette, Tuesday, December 30, 1986, (edited)

Alonzo William Pond, 92, a well-known anthropologist, world explorer and Janesville native, died Thursday in his Minocqua home. Born June 18, 1894, in Janesville, Pond graduated from Beloit College in 1918. He married Dorothy Long on July 20, 1926. Assistant curator of the Logan Museum at Beloit College from 1925 to 1931, he was leader of the Logan Sahara Expedition in 1925-26 and two African expeditions, one in 1926-27 and another in 1929-30. He participated in numerous other expeditions to such locations as France, Algeria and Asia.

Pond explored Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, where he was in charge of removing prehistoric Indian artifacts, and contributed to numerous studies of prehistoric man. Also a writer, Pond moved to Minocqua in 1958, where he operated the Wisconsin Gardens for 11 years. He was a member of the AARP, the Chicago Chapter of Sigma XI and the Explorers Club of New York.

Original footage of Pond's exhibitions was found recently at the Logan Museum and grafted into a documentary, "Reliving the Past: Alonzo Pond and the 1930 Logan African Exhibition" by former Beloit College student Michael Tarabulski. The film has won honors from two anthropology associations.

Surviving Pond are his wife: a son, Arthur of Park Falls; a daughter, the Rev. Chomingwen Pond of Claremont, Calif.; and two grandchildren.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection has been compiled over the years through separate accessions of various sizes from various offices and individuals, none of which has any accompanying documentation. The original order of the documents is unknown. The arrangement order presented here has been imposed by the College Archives staff.