Guide to the Ruth A.M. Schmidt papers
1912-2015
Collection number: HMC-0792.
Creator: Schmidt, Ruth Ann Marie (1916-2014).
Title: Ruth A.M. Schmidt papers.
Dates: 1912-2015.
Volume of collection: 17 cubic feet.
Language of materials: A majority of the materials in this collection are in English, however some are in Russian.
Collection summary: Papers of an Alaska geologist.
Biographical note:
Dr. Ruth Ann Marie Schmidt was born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. In 1936, she earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University and trained as an x-ray technician after graduating. She went on to earn both a Masters (1939) and a Ph.D. (1948) in Geology from Columbia University, and during WWII, she worked for the Military Geology Unit. From 1943 to 1963, Schmidt worked for the United States Geological Survey, starting in Washington D.C. and later transferring to Alaska in 1956. In 1959, Schmidt began teaching geology at Anchorage Community College and later founded and chaired the Geology Department of the University of Alaska Anchorage, retiring in 1984. After the 1964 earthquake in Alaska, Schmidt was appointed federal coordinator of an interagency group of earth scientists tasked with assessing and mapping the areas of damage and potential future damage if another earthquake occurred in Anchorage. From 1974-1975, Schmidt was the environmental consultant on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in the Office of the Governor.
In her personal life, Schmidt was a philanthropist who supported conservation, opera and symphony, public media, and social services, as well as science and science education for women and minorities. In 1945, Schmidt became a member of the Washington Cooperative Bookshop. The Bookshop was listed as a front for subversive activities by the United States Attorney General, which led to Schmidt being investigated for being unloyal to the United States Government, in 1950 and again in 1954. She was also active in the Geological Society of America, and was admitted to the American Institute of Professional Geologists, reaching emeritus status in 1986. She helped found the Alaska Geological Society in 1958, was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Engineers, and served as president and trustee of the Brooks Range Library from 1979-1991. Schmidt was also an active member of the Anchorage Audubon Society, and a board member of the Alaska Center for the Environment. Ruth Schmidt died in 2014.
Collection description:
The collection contains the papers of Ruth Schmidt, the majority of which pertain to her career as a geologist. Included in the collection are geological slides, papers, and various objects which Schmidt used for her geological studies. The collection also includes Schmidt’s personal papers and photographs.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1: Personal papers; 1912-2014
Series 2: Loyalty Hearing Board investigation files; 1938-1955
Series 3: Education and employment records; 1933-1998
Subseries 3a: Applications and work certificates; 1938-1981
Subseries 3b: Military Geology Unit papers; undated, 1945-1958
Subseries 3c: Course notes, field books, and field equipment; 1933-1984
Subseries 3d: Trans-Alaska Inc. records; 1973-1983
Subseries 3e: Teaching materials; 1948-1998
Series 4: 1964 earthquake papers; 1964-1989
Series 5: Writing files; 1948-1993
Series 6: Subject files and organization records; 1919-2002
Series 7: Photographs and slides; 1932-2004
Series 8: Audio/visual materials; undated, 1988
Digitized copies: Selected materials have been digitized and can be found online at Alaska’s Digital Archives. An online exhibit on Ruth Schmidt is also available. Please consult Archives and Special Collections for further information.
Rights note: Archives holds copyright to materials created by Ruth Schmidt. The collection contains materials not created by Schmidt, which may be subject to copyright restrictions.
Preferred citation: Ruth A.M. Schmidt papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: “Ruth Schmidt’s Obituary on Alaska Dispatch News.” Alaska Dispatch News, 07 Apr. 2014.
Separated materials: Publications have been removed from this collection and added to the Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection. Financial information relating to Ruth’s photograph sales and family health history files were removed from the collection and destroyed.
Related materials: The Archives also holds the Hans van der Laan Brooks Range Library Board of Directors records, HMC-0382.
Acquisition note:Some collection materials were donated to the Archives by Ruth Schmidt in 2005, however a majority of the collection was donated to the Archives by Sally Gibert, Ruth’s executrix, in 2014, and a deed of gift was signed by Gibert at that time. An addition of Ruth’s college coursework material was donated by Anne Pasch in 2016.
Processing information: This collection was described by Veronica Denison in 2014, with further description and limited arrangement completed in 2015. Additions were added to the collection and described by Veronica Denison in 2016. The original arrangement and folder titles were retained in most cases. The sole exception to this arrangement was a box of material that arrived to the Archives with a variety of files that were later placed with like material in the collection.
Container list:
Series 1: Personal papers; 1912-2014. 2 cubic feet.
This series contains personal papers relating to Ruth’s life, including family photographs and photograph albums, birth records, passports, yearbooks, correspondence, and financial information regarding scholarships and trusts she donated to.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Birth and baptism certificates, social security cards | 1916-1946 |
| 1/2 | Ruth’s baby biography book; Confirmation program, photographs | 1912-1929 |
| 1/3 | 1916 birth year calendar | 1916 |
| 1/4 | Poetry books (handwritten) by an unknown author | circa 1927-1930 |
| 1/5 | Brooklyn, Flat Bush houses; Ruth’s hair—age 16 | 1932, 1978 |
| 1/6 | Family photographs | circa 1929-2001 |
| 1/7 | Photographs: Baldwin, Brooklyn house, Christmas, Ruth’s family | circa 1938-2005 |
| 1/8 | Photographs: Louisiana, Yellowstone, family garden | circa 1937-1939 |
| Box 14 | Family photograph album [FRAGILE] | circa 1935-1938 |
| Box 15 | Family photograph album [FRAGILE] | circa 1912-1922 |
| 1/9 | 1st Conclave, June 24th-27th 1935; Yellowstone souvenirs | 1935-1938 |
| 1/10 | Passports | 1952-2003 |
| 1/11 | Yearbooks | 1928, 1933 |
| 1/12 | Erasmus High School senior yearbook; Graduation program | 1933 |
| 1/13 | Address books | undated |
| 1/14 | Cartoons | undated |
| 1/15 | Historic jokes, other mementos | 1912-2004 |
| 1/16 | Licenses, certificates, pilot logbook, ID cards | 1917-2000 |
| 1/17 | Learning Chinese | circa 1940-1949 |
| 1/18 | Schmidt trust foundation: Edward and Anna Range Schmidt foundation | 1994-2005 |
| 1/19 | Grantees Awards: Schmidt Charitable Trust | 1994-1997 |
| 1/20 | Finances: Edward and Anna Schmidt Foundation | 1994-1999 |
| 1/21 | Scholarship: Edward Schmidt Scholarship | 1983-2014 |
| 1/22 | Hunter College of New York—Gertrude Schmidt Scholars | 1983-1998 |
| 1/23 | Scholarships—Pratt | 1991-2000 |
| 1/24 | Notes—Organizations who want $ [money] for educations, science, music | 1990-1992 |
| 1/25 | Brooks Range Trust “Ruth’s BRT File” | 1977-1992 |
| 1/26 | Brooks Range Trust Library file | undated |
| 1/27 | Brooks Range Trust Library file: Ribbon Cutting photographs | 1984-1986 |
| 1/28 | Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, Hans van der Laan Brooks Range Library | undated |
| 1/29 | Brooks Range Trust: Minutes—Treasurer’s reports | 1973-1983 |
| 1/30 | Hans van der Laan Brooks Range Trust Library: Treasurer reports | 1983-1991 |
| 1/31 | Who’s who of American Women | 1964-2002 |
| 1/32 | American men of science—congregational directory | 1947-1988 |
| 1/33 | Material donated to ACC | 1989 |
| 1/34 | Pioneer Home apps | 1994-1995 |
| 1/35 | Schmidt event poster | 1984 |
| 1/36 | Calendars—date books | 1952-1983 |
| 1/37 | Resume for John Kelly for AINS | 1985 |
| 1/38 | Brochure curi. vitae resume | 1971 |
| 1/39 | Brochure Data Resumes to 1972 | circa 1971-1972 |
| 1/40 | Resume-1989-copies, ’88 for UAA/91, 97, 2000 | 1989-2003 |
| 1/41 | Family letters to Ruth | undated, 1968-1981 |
| 1/42 | Letters from Ruth to family | 1968-1983 |
| 1/43 | Personal correspondence | 1950-1956, 1987 |
| 1/44 | Correspondence | undated, 1958 |
| 1/45 | New stuff for Florence Weber: Correspondence, Schmidt’s letters of recommendation | 1966-1986 |
| 1/46 | Envelopes; Postcard from Dorothy | 1958, 1961, 1979 |
| 1/47 | Family correspondence to, from, and about Dorothy | 1987-1991 |
| 1/48 | Misc. Xmas (Christmas) notes | circa 2002-2003 |
| 1/49 | Holiday greetings from William Field | circa 1987-1992 |
| 1/50 | Wm. O. Field [William O. Field] correspondence | 1987-1989 |
| 1/51 | Correspondence with, and material related to, William Berry which was in the book, Deneki, an Alaska Moose [Book moved to Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection] | 1963-1980 |
| 1/52 | Correspondence with, and material related to, William Berry from Buffalo land: the untamed wilderness of the high plains frontier [Book moved to Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection] | undated, 1978, 1999 |
| 1/53 | Correspondence: Audubon Alaska, Gems of Japan, League of Women Voters | 1968, 1971, 2004, 2014 |
| 1/54 | Konrad Krauskopf, Helen Cannon: correspondence and information regarding their lives and deaths | 1947, 1996-2003 |
| 1/55 | Correspondence relating to Dorothy and Veronica Schmidt’s deaths | 1980, 1990 |
| 1/56 | Sympathy cards regarding Dorothy Schmidt’s death, sent to Ruth | 1990 |
| 1/57 | Member list for Dorothy’s Celebration of Life; Cards sent to Dorothy | 1990 |
| 1/58 | Ruth’s Celebration of Life: Remembrance and photographs | 1963-2014 |
| 1/59 | Ruth’s Celebration of Life book | 2014 May |
| 1/60 | Newspaper clippings regarding Ruth; Columbia University pass | 1935-1985 |
| Box 20 | Buttons and patches for politicians, causes, and organizations Ruth supported | undated |
| 2/1 | Schmidt, Germany: WWII newspaper clipping headlines (copied), photograph | circa 1944 |
| 2/2 | OPA (Office of Price Association) Tokens; War Ration Books | circa 1944 |
| 2/3 | Certificates and awards | 1957-2007 |
| 2/4 | Real property, Clark Road | 1960-2014 |
| 2/5 | Greenwood Cemetery, Schmidt family burial plot | undated, 1922-1972 |
| 2/6 | Invitations from Columbia University for 250th Anniversary | 1998 |
| 2/7 | Transcripts—College | 1932-1975 |
| 2/8-9 | Letters of recommendation | 1938, 1957-1989 |
| 2/10 | Letters of recommendation; Letter of appointment to USGS | 1943 |
| Box 20 | Travel certificates: Crossing of Arctic Circle, Red Dog Saloon (for being in Juneau the year Alaska became a state), retracing the steps of the people who travelled to Yukon Territory during Klondike Gold Rush | 1955-1983 |
| Box 20 | Alaska Legislature In Memoriam citation for Ruth Schmidt | 2015 |
Series 2: Loyalty Hearing Board investigation files; 1938-1955. 0.3 cubic feet.
This series contains papers relating to Ruth’s Loyalty Board Hearing investigations, and includes court transcripts, correspondence, and information regarding the Washington Cooperative Bookshop.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 2/11 | Bookshoppers-[Washington] Post Adv.[Advertisements], etc. | 1947-1950 |
| 2/12 | Letters sent to people, personal replies, and extra affidavits | 1950-1951 |
| 2/13 | 1950 HUAC Affidavits | 1950 |
| 2/14 | Transcripts: Hearing transcripts | 1950 |
| 2/15 | 1950 Hearing: Duplicates-letter-answers to charges | 1948-1950 |
| 2/16 | Chronology-forum, Comm. [Community] notes-calendars, etc. | 1947-1953 |
| 2/17 | Forum Comm. Poll—Exb. [Exhibit] 2—Hearing #II 1954, Exb. (Exhibit) 3 original, original, photostated by Cobb [Ruth’s lawyer] | 1947 |
| 2/18 | Originals of Bookshoppers, photostated by Gov’t, and returned; Hearing II copy | 1947-1948 |
| 2/19 | Response to charges | 1954 |
| 2/20 | Charges-clearances-Official | 1950-1954 |
| 2/21 | Statements from acquaintances, friends, colleagues, regarding Ruth’s loyalty | 1954 |
| 2/22 | Law Offices of Cobb and Weissbrandt: Correspondence and bills | 1954-1955 |
| 2/23 | Transcript #2—1954—list of corrections—photostats, Bookshoppers facsimiles | 1947-1954 |
Series 3: Education and employment records; 1933-1998. 3.6 cubic feet.
Series 3: Education and employment records. Subseries 3a: Applications and work certificates; 1938-1981. 0.1 cubic feet.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 2/24 | Radiologic technologists certificates; American Registry of X-Ray Technicians certificates | 1938-1970 |
| 2/25 | Civil Service forms completed, applications | 1951-1964 |
| 2/26 | USGS: Project proposal, Geology of the Cook Inlet Sedimentary Basin; Women in Government positions files | 1961-1963 |
| 2/27 | Hammond application | 1974-1976 |
| 2/28 | Professional Geologist License application | 1981 |
| Box 20 | Diplomas; Work certificates and recognitions | 1929-1964 |
Series 3: Education and employment records. Subseries 3b: Military Geology Unit papers; undated, 1945-1958. 0.15 cubic feet.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 2/29 | Photographs | undated |
| 2/30 | White Alice fact sheet | 1958 |
| 2/31 | Comic story on Military Geology Unit | undated |
| 2/32 | Cards, news clipping copy, press release | undated, 1945 |
| 18/1 | Maps | undated |
| 18/2 | Photographs, poems/songs, memoranda | circa 1942-1945 |
| Box 20 | Hap Hop Ramp Walker Toy Soldier | undated |
Series 3: Education and employment records. Subseries 3c: Course notes, field books, and field equipment; 1933-1984. 2 cubic feet.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 2/33 | Geology notes from geology classes at Columbia | 1933-1935 |
| 2/34-36 | Class notebooks: Columbia University | 1939-1942 |
| 2/37 | Notes from Erstes Buch für den Unterricht in den neuren Sprachen: deutscher Teil für Erwachsene [Book moved to Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection] | 1937 |
| 2/38 | Notes from A Laboratory Manual for Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy [Book moved to Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection] | 1937 |
| 2/39 | Reference notecards—geological | undated |
| 2/40 | Optical Minerology, Columbia U., Laboratory Notebook | 1941 |
| 3/1 | Course work, Post Master’s degree | circa 1941 |
| 3/2 | Geology notes | circa 1941 |
| 3/3-4 | Alaska Field Notebooks | 1955-1965 |
| 3/5 | Workbook: Cutting and Washing Samples—Czechoslovakia, Alaska | 1969-1984 |
| Box 13 | Geologist field equipment | undated |
| Box 20 | Piece of Oil Shale | 1954 |
| 21/1-2 | A.K. Lobeck class course work materials: History of the Earth and the Advent of Man: The Third Quarter of a Two-Year Science Program in Columbia College; Some Geographical Terms and Their English Relatives; Answers to Atlas of American Geology; Answers to Exercise Questions on the Panorama of Physiographic Types | circa 1941-1943 |
| 21/3 | Elementary Exercises in Topographic and Structural Geology by A.K. Lobeck (Part of Ruth’s course work) | 1934, 1941 |
Series 3: Education and employment records. Subseries 3d: Trans-Alaska Inc. records; 1973-1983. 0.9 cubic feet.
This subseries contains records pertaining to Ruth’s appointment as environmental consultant. The subseries includes papers related to specific pipeline concerns regarding environmental impact, talks Ruth gave, notes she took during meetings, and photographs.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 3/6 | Micronotes—Consulting | 1983 |
| 3/7 | Jesse Dodson correspondence: Job description for TAPS | 1976 |
| 3/8 | Travel authorization forms | 1976 |
| 3/9 | Office: Correspondence and memoranda relating to TAPS | 1977 |
| 3/10 | Slide set and slide descriptions: The Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Environment Concerns | circa 1975 |
| 3/11 | I.G.C. (International Geological Congress) | 1976 |
| 3/12 | Mueller and info. [Ernest W. Mueller, Commission of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation]: Environmental Implications of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline | 1976 |
| 3/13 | UCIC talk and slides | 1975 |
| 3/14 | Information for talks | 1975-1976 |
| 3/15 | AAAS—Boston | 1975-1976 |
| 3/16 | Personal, organization | undated |
| 3/17 | Revegetation, restoration | 1973-1976 |
| 3/18 | Restoration—green sheets | 1975-1976 |
| 3/19 | Restoration—final guidelines | 1974-1976 |
| 3/20 | Keystone Canyon | 1975 |
| 3/21 | Gulkana River | 1976 |
| 3/22 | 6-APL-IE [Blueberry Lake Access Road] | 1975-1976 |
| 3/23 | Thompson Pass see also 6 APL IE folder | 1975-1976 |
| 3/24 | M.S. 63-1.2 Chatanika River Area | 1976 |
| 3/25 | Nikiski Pipeline | 1975-1976 |
| 3/26 | Fuel Gas Line | 1976 |
| 3/27 | Foot Hills Pipe Lines Ltd. | 1976 |
| 3/28 | Gas Lines (Big) | 1975-1976 |
| 3/29 | Permafrost meetings | 1975 |
| 3/30 | Arctic Environmental Council, inspection tours, July 1976 | 1976 |
| 3/31 | Letters to/from Environmentalists, meetings with | 1975-1976 |
| 3/32 | Current trips, environmental, ACS(Alaska Conservation Society), FEC (Fairbanks Environmental Center), AINE | 1976 |
| 3/33 | Outgoing correspondence | 1975-1976 |
| 3/34 | Answers to queries, letters to public | 1975-1976 |
| 3/35 | Memos to files and surveillance reports | 1975-1976 |
| 3/36 | Jokes | undated |
| 3/37 | Letters to CAC [C.A. Champion, State Pipeline Coordinator] | 1976 |
| 3/38 | Notes on meetings, oil patch | 1975-1976 |
| 3/39 | Russians June 1976 | 1976 |
| 3/40 | Jan. Feb. March—Except Boston [Trip to Menlo Park, Boston via Washington D.C. and Calgary via Denver, including notes, memos and photographs of test sites] | 1976 |
| 3/41 | Juneau | undated |
| 3/42 | D.E.C (Department of Environmental Conservation), memoranda, notes | 1975 |
| 3/43 | CRREL | 1975-1976 |
| 3/44 | Material sites and access roads | undated |
| 3/45 | Replies from FSO [material sites] | undated |
| 3/46 | Valdez Terminal | 1973-1976 |
| 3/47 | Oil Patch—Prudhoe | undated |
| 3/48 | Restoration problems | 1975 |
| 3/49 | Hydrostatic testing | 1976 |
| 3/50 | Pesticides | 1975-1976 |
| 3/51 | Haul Road | 1975-1976 |
| 3/52 | Oil Spill | 1973-1976 |
| 3/53 | Gailbraith Spill | 1975 |
| 3/54 | Schmidt TAPS Talks China | circa 1977-1982 |
| 3/55 | 25th IGC, paper Env. Concerns TAPS—Australia/Boston | 1976 |
| 4/1 | R.A.M. Valdez to Yukon R. | undated |
| 4/2 | R.A.M. Schmidt Yukon R. to Prudhoe Bay | undated |
| 4/3 | Photographs | undated |
| 4/4 | Pump Sta.[Station] #1, Fuel Gas line [map] | 1973 |
| 4/5 | Identified problem areas for talks-and data | 1976 |
| 4/6 | Geology of pipeline route, open file | 1977 |
| 4/7 | Env. Cons.—Office Pipeline Coordinator, Salary-duties-bills, etc. | 1974-1977 |
Series 3: Education and employment records. Subseries 3e: Teaching materials; 1948-1998. 0.2 cubic feet.
This subseries contains papers relating to Ruth’s time as an instructor at Anchorage Community College.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 4/8 | ACC: Student letter of praise to Chancellor; History of Geology Department | 1983-1984 |
| 4/9 | Paleo—Fall 1979 | 1978 |
| 4/10 | Teaching notes | undated |
| 4/11 | Aerial photographs Lab VIII, Freemont Co. [Freemont County, Wyoming] Stereo photos | 1948, 1960 |
| 4/12 | Stereo photos: Death Valley Calif. [used for classes] | undated, 1955-1959 |
| 4/13 | Geo. Stereo Lab: Stereo photographs | undated |
| 4/14 | Field trips for Local Geology: Glenn Highway; Anchorage | undated, 1957 |
| 4/15 | Schmidt—personal ACC | 1959-1977 |
| 4/16 | Recommendations and publicity used 1989 for resume and emeritus | 1953-1998 |
Series 3: Education and employment records. Subseries 3f: International Geological Congress and Prague Spring papers; 1966-1969. 0.25 cubic feet.
Ruth was appointed as delegate for the International Geological Congress in Prague. The subseries contains papers relating to the conference, as well as Prague Spring, which occurred in Prague at the time of the conference.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 4/17 | International Geological Congress-Prague 1968: Information | 1968 |
| 4/18 | Slides: Slide notes of trip to Czechoslovakia, trip related material | circa 1968 |
| 4/19 | Prague Congress: Correspondence regarding slides, film, AK Geological Society, American Geological Society travel grant | 1968 |
| 4/20 | Czechoslovakia correspondence | 1968-1969 |
| 4/21 | Czechoslovakia—Death of a Dream | 1968 August |
| 4/22 | Personal: Czechoslovakia—itinerary, correspondence | 1966-1968 |
| 4/23 | Czechoslovakia travel pamphlets, Prague Spring article | undated, 1968 |
| 4/24 | Czech: Prague Spring notes | 1968 |
| 4/25 | Czechoslovakia: Prague Spring, Geological Exposition | circa 1968 |
| 4/26 | Czechoslovakia photographs | 1968 |
| 4/27 | USSR, also Ruth photographs | circa 1968 |
| 4/28 | Geologický průzkum | 1968 |
| 4/29 | A.P. Vinogradov “Earth Sciences and their future,” speech at the 23rd International Geological Congress | 1968 |
| 4/30 | Prague Spring news articles | 1968 |
| Oversize folder | Prague Spring poster | 1968 |
Series 4: 1964 earthquake papers; 1964-1989. 1.45 cubic feet.
This series contains papers relating to the 1964 earthquake. The series includes maps and plats, photographs, Anchorage Engineering Geology Evaluation Group reports, as well as Ruth’s personal correspondence with family after the earthquake, and lectures she gave on the earthquake.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 4/31 | AGS 25th Anniversary-March EQ talk-Geol. in a hurry | 1989 |
| 4/32 | 1964 EQ photos for exhibit and talk | 1964, 1989 |
| 4/33 | The Seiche at Portage Lake, 27 March 1964 | 1964-1966 |
| 4/34 | Joint Release—Alaska Reconstruction Commission | 1964 |
| 4/35-36 | 27 March 1964 Earthquake personal letters | 1964 |
| 4/37 | EQ Talk with Keith Calderwood, AK Geol. Soc. | 1984 March |
| 4/38 | Anch. Times; Earthquake “Grease,” future use of slide areas, Joint Release—Alaska Reconstruction Commission, Peru Earthquake | 1964, 1970 |
| 4/39 | Earthquake photographs | 1964 |
| 4/40 | Copies of letters—ASHA/City | 1964 |
| 4/41 | City’s Statement to Press Managers—personal | 1964 |
| 4/42 | AGI[American Geological Institute]-EQ correspondence | 1964 |
| 4/43 | Anchorage Urban Geology by Ruth A.M. Schmidt | 1964 |
| 4/44 | U.S. Army aerial earthquake photographs | 1964 |
| 4/45 | U.S. Army earthquake photographs sent to Ruth Schmidt | 1964 |
| 4/46 | Earthquake photographs | 1964 |
| 4/47 | 1964 earthquake photographs | 1964 |
| 4/48 | Proposed Fourth Avenue Downtown Anchorage Frozen Ice Buttress System by Linn A. Forrest, Jr. Architect | 1964 |
| 4/49 | Join Release Task Force 9, Turnagain Slide | 1964 |
| 4/50 | Alaska Earthquake, Japanese data aftershocks | 1964-1965 |
| 5/1 | State of Alaska DNR Division of Mines and Minerals, The Great Alaska Earthquake: A Study of Reactions of Alaskans to the 1964 Earthquake; Committee on the Alaska Earthquake Bibliography | 1964-1965 |
| 5/2 | USGS, Geologic effects and damage from Earthquake color slides list and descriptions | 1965 |
| 5/3 | Geologic Road Log; The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964—Revisited | undated, 1984 |
| 5/4 | Earthquake | 1959-1966 |
| 5/5 | Earthquake comic postcards; Federal Civil Defense Administration Official Vehicle Pass | undated |
| 5/6 | Rustigan and Styer vs J.C. Penney Co., Schmidt’s affidavit | 1965 |
| 5/7 | City Geology Advisory Group | 1964 |
| Box 20 | Photograph of group on Portage Lake around the time of the 1964 earthquake | 1964 |
| 18/3 | Preliminary Report 27 March 1964 Earthquake in Greater Anchorage Area | 1964 April |
| 18/4-5 | Plates: Geological Engineering Evaluation Group | 1964 |
| 18/6 | Plates and figures | 1964 |
| 18/7 | Earthquake Report May 8, 1964 Version | 1964 |
| 18/8 | Earthquake report notes and markups (Ruth Schmidt’s) | 1964 |
| 18/9 | Description of group, plates and maps | 1964 |
| 18/10 | Earthquake maps and plates | 1964 |
| Box 19 | Earthquake maps, surveys, plates | 1964 |
Series 5: Writing files; 1948-1993. 0.5 cubic feet.
This series includes photographs, data, and notes for papers and articles written by Ruth, as well as correspondence relating to reports and articles written by others.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 5/8 | CRREL (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory)
APLEO: Paleontological work in Barrow-draft |
circa 1967-1970 |
| 5/9 | CRREL data for article Late-Pleistocene Stratigraphy, Barrow, Alaska by P.V. Sellmaan, J. Brown, and R.A.M. Schmidt | undated |
| 5/10 | CRREL Gubich paper—Data for final | circa 1966-1967 |
| 5/11 | Final plates for CRREL | 1966-1967 |
| 5/12 | Paleontological section of CRREL report: Draft, data, plates | circa 1967 |
| 5/13 | Paleontological section of CRREL report | undated, 1967 |
| 5/14 | Micropaleontology in Late Pleistocene: Data, article, correspondence | undated, 1976-1977 |
| 18/11 | Plates and data | circa 1967 |
| 5/15 | CRREL—Print Ups—Some to be used in BC Clay paper | undated |
| 5/16 | Master proof sheets of A, B, 1, 2, 3, 4, and negatives BC Clay | undated |
| 5/17 | Plates, proof sheets for BC Clay paper | undated |
| 5/18 | Photograph sheets for BC Clay paper | undated |
| 5/19 | Vanden Bolk paper: T.G. Perry correspondence | 1965-1966 |
| 5/20 | John H. Hall, Canada, Research Council of Albert correspondence regarding Upper Cretaceous Foraminifera from Ocean Point, Northern Alaska | 1970-1974 |
| 5/21 | Harlan R. Bergquist correspondence, Possible Pleistocene-Recent boundary in the Gulf of Alaska, based on benthonic Foraminifera | 1961-1974 |
| 5/22 | Geomorphic effects of subsurface water on landforms of cold regions correspondence, photograph plates | 1989-1995 |
| 5/23 | Kalgin Island locality map | circa 1963 |
| 5/24 | Bagley Icefield report and photographs | circa 1969 |
| 5/25 | Descriptive Geology of Elmendorf and Fort Richardson Region | undated |
| 5/26 | Policy Statement on the Use of Geology for the Legislative Council; Iceland, a Land of Fire and Ice as seen on the GSA Geoventures trip in August 1993 | 1969, 1993 |
| 5/27 | Lake Iliamna NPS report, and photographs | 1967-1982 |
| 5/28 | Montague Island report, and photographs | circa 1964 |
| 5/29 | Middleron Island report, and photographs | 1962-1968 |
| 5/30 | Harding Icefield report, and photographs | circa 1969 |
| 5/31 | Seldovia notes | circa 1962 |
| 5/32 | Petersville Canyon | 1960-1961 |
| 5/33 | Ruth’s publications, plates used | 1948-1990 |
| 5/34 | Reprint notes | undated, 1966-1969 |
| 5/35 | Possible Sites, Field Test Laboratory #102, Arctic Research Facility of Petroleum Environmental Research Laboratories Valdez, Alaska | undated, 1972 |
| 5/36 | Div. of Parks—Alaska, planning proposals | undated, 1971 |
| 5/37 | Enc. Britannica [The Encyclopaedia Britannica]: Correspondence, Ruth’s articles | undated, 1971 |
| 5/38 | Kingak, sample correspondence | 1981 |
| 5/39 | Beringia: Background data | 1990-1991 |
| 5/40 | Beringia: Soviet Trip reported in Tella | circa 1990 |
| 5/41 | Beringia: Bering Land Bridge articles (not written by Ruth Schmidt) | undated |
| 5/42 | Beringia: Correspondence regarding report; Dave Cline | circa 1991 |
Series 6: Subject files and organization records; 1919-2002. 0.8 cubic feet.
This series contains files on various subjects and organizations in which Ruth belonged.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 5/43 | Application to BLM [Bureau of Land Management] Anch. District Advising Council | 1985 |
| 5/44 | Articles with correspondence | 1980-1991 |
| 5/45 | ACS [Alaska Conservation Society] UCIC Ans. | 1974-1985 |
| 5/46 | Alaska Conservation Foundation | 1983-1999 |
| 5/47 | Alaska Conservation Society | undated, 1977 |
| 5/48 | Alaska Conservation Society Foundation: Meeting notes, data from field maps | 1971-1999 |
| 5/49 | Outline maps—Alaska Australia and Solid Pipeline | undated |
| 5/50 | AGI—Mailing lists, ESCP [Earth Science Curriculum Project]-Joe Wetiz | 1967-1968 |
| 6/1 | National Register of Scientific and Technical Personnel | 1960-1989 |
| 6/2 | Workshop on Community Economics pamphlets ACC | 1967 |
| 6/3 | Knowles/Ulmer Policy Transition Teams’ Report | 1995 January |
| 6/4 | Knowles/Ulmer Natural Resources Policy Transition Team | 1995 |
| 6/5 | Knowles/Ulmer Policy Team Recommendation form | undated |
| 6/6 | People to People program | 1968-1993 |
| 6/7 | Journal of Paleo; NARL [Naval Arctic Research Lab] S. Schindler; UPK Ocean Pt. [Point] | 1972-1973 |
| 6/8 | Southeastern Dredging | 1962 |
| 6/9 | Landslides | 1947-1969 |
| 6/10 | Oceanography and marine sediments | 1938-1968 |
| 6/11 | Oil and gas exploration | 1950-1972 |
| 6/12 | AAAS conference Whitehorse [Arctic Science] | 1993 |
| 6/13 | List of fellows: Members in Anchorage | undated, 1985 |
| 6/14 | Arctic Institute of North America | 1983-1986 |
| 6/15 | Oil spill | 1989 |
| 6/16 | General geology | 1919-1959 |
| 6/17 | Anchorage glacial geology | undated |
| 6/18 | Sue Karl GSA [Geological Society of America] fellowship | 1994 |
| 6/19 | Pending Flo [Florence Weber, GSA] | 1994-1995 |
| 6/20 | GSA Membership and Fellowship forms nomination | 1994-1995 |
| 6/21 | GSA—Nomination for Fellowships, completed forms | 1964-1980 |
| 6/22 | American Institute of Professional Geologists sponsor for CC Hawley/Dick Ragle | 1981-1995 |
| 6/23 | AIPG [American Institute of Professional Geologists] | 1964-1965 |
| 6/24 | American Association of Petroleum Geologists—emeritus letter, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society—Alaska Club | 1947-1992 |
| 6/25 | American Stratigraphic Company—Lithologic Symbols and Charts | 1960-1967 |
| 6/26 | Halibut Cove—Air photos | undated |
| 6/27 | Letters to Editor written by Ruth Schmidt | 1966, 1969 |
| 6/28 | Birding: Songs, recognition, ID | 1989-2002 |
Series 7: Photographs and slides; 1932-2004. 6.4 cubic feet.
This series contains photographs and slides. Included is correspondence relating to Ruth’s photograph and slide orders from various people and institutions. The series also includes texts for slideshows Ruth gave at conferences or lectures. Subjects of the photographs and slides include trips Ruth took in Alaska and various countries (either for personal or work related reasons), glaciers, rocks, soil and other geological photographs. The series is arranged by subject.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 6/29-30 | Dark room notes | 1967-1971 |
| 6/31 | Items for Marge’s Attention, Geology slides: flyer and letter from F. Stearns MacNeil, USGS | undated, 1958 |
| 6/32 | Text for color slides for Geology [no corresponding slides] | circa 1967 |
| 6/33 | Misc. for AT ideas [photograph of glacier] | undated |
| 6/34 | Talks before lay grounds: Volcanoes in the 49th and 50th states [slide listing and description, no slides] | 1962 |
| 6/35 | Camera and MIKE insurance | 1964-2004 |
| 6/36 | Neumade slide files | 1973-1978 |
| 6/37 | Mt. St. Helens photographs | 1993 |
| 6/38 | Pending requests and correspondence: slide orders | 1964-1967 |
| 6/39 | Orders for slides | 1965-1967 |
| 6/40 | Survey slides controversy, letters to Bartlett | 1965-1987 |
| 6/41 | Request for slide info. | 1968-1976 |
| 6/42 | Correspondence regarding slide purchasing | 1965-1988 |
| 6/43 | Copyright and info on slides from Rudd, Atty [Attorney] | 1966-1981 |
| 6/44 | China slide shows | 1982-1984 |
| 6/45-49 | Slide and photograph notebooks | 1950-2004 |
| 6/50 | Eddie’s Trip to Alaska 1979 | 1979 |
| 6/51 | Alaska—Eddie and Dottie 1981 | 1945-1989 |
| 6/52 | Dorothy’s Slides—Dawson Trip 1986—Juneau—Glacier Bay—North Slope 1984 | 1983-1986 |
| 6/53 | Coal and Gold—Oil Development—Flowers | 1955-1981 |
| 6/54 | Physiographic Provinces | 1950-1979 |
| 6/55 | Volcanoes | 1958-1966 |
| 7/1 | Washington D.C. and V.A. | 1944-1972 |
| 7/2 | Alaska Scenery Duplicates—Black and White Cartoons and Diagrams | undated |
| 7/3 | Photo work for publications | undated |
| 7/4 | Postcards geology | circa 1969-1981 |
| 7/5 | Original Master Permafrost and Patterned Ground Slide Set and Duplicates | 1955-1966 |
| 7/6 | Original Master Alaskan Earthquake Slide Set and Duplicates | 1955, 1964 |
| 7/7 | EQ [earthquake] slides-Texts-Master | undated, 1964 |
| 7/8 | Glaciers: Photographs and slide set texts | undated |
| 7/9 | Original Master Glaciers and Glacial Features in Alaska Slide Set and Duplicates | 1955-1966 |
| 7/10 | Harding Ice Field McNeil River—Lake House—Nova Raft Trip—Eagles, Homer Spit | 1932-1994 |
| 7/11 | Antarctica | 1996 |
| 7/12 | New Zealand | 2000 |
| 7/13 | Healy Coal to Chicken—AK Range—Steve Healy—Iditarod | 1957-1997 |
| 7/14 | Augusta—P.W. Sound—Matsu—Col. Glacier | 1962-1995 |
| 7/15-16 | Anchorage | 1955-1998 |
| 7/17-18 | USSR 1984 | 1984-1985 |
| 7/19 | USSR 1990 | 1990 |
| 8/1 | Norway | 1952, 1988 |
| 8/2 | Europe—Switzerland—W. Germany—CSSR | 1968 |
| 8/3 | Panama Canal Trip t—h | 1985 |
| 8/4 | Canada Lake Louise Trip | 1985 |
| 8/5 | Virgin Islands and Ecuador | 1980-1981 |
| 8/6 | Galapagos | 1981 |
| 8/7 | England—Sweden—Denmark—Finland | 1952-1995 |
| 8/8-9 | Iceland—Greenland | 1993 |
| 8/10 | Japan | 1982 |
| 8/11-12 | China | 1982 |
| 8/13-14 | Florida—Bahamas—Everglades—Puerto Rico | 1955-1982 |
| 8/15-16 | Australia | 1976 |
| 9/1 | Bethel—Nunivak Isl.—Flat Hughes—Kobuk—Dunes | 1955-1975 |
| 9/2 | Pribilofs—St. Paul—St. George | 1962-1997 |
| 9/3 | Anaktuvak Pass | 1972, 1986 |
| 9/4 | California | 1953-1998 |
| 9/5 | Montana | 1953-1982 |
| 9/6 | Wyoming—N. and S. Dakota—Col.—Nebraska—Minn.—Wisc.—Arkansas—Mo. and Ill. | 1944-1980 |
| 9/7 | Colorado | 1952-1999 |
| 9/8 | New England—NY City and State | 1941-1992 |
| 9/9 | GA—Indi.—Penn.—MD—VA—Michigan—N. Carolina | 1942-1993 |
| 9/10 | Texas | 1958, 1969 |
| 9/11-12 | Dillingham—Ahklun Mts.—Good News—N. Slope—Brooks Range—Kobuk—St. Lawrence—Seward Peninsula—Nunivak—Pribilofs—Circle—Eagle—Taylor Hwy. | 1955-1998 |
| 9/13 | Arizona and New Mexico | 1956-2001 |
| 9/14 | Washington—Mt. St. Helens—Utah—Nevada—Oregon—Idaho | 1953-2001 |
| 9/15 | FAI[Fairbanks]—Ft. Knox—Barrow Trip 1983 | 1956-1998 |
| 9/16 | FAI—Ft. Knox—Barrow Trip 1983 | 1937-1998 |
| 9/17 | Seldovia—Resurrection Bay—Fox Is.—Homer—Cordova | 1958-2000 |
| 9/18 | Valdez and Lower Rich. Hwy.—Dawson—PWS—Gulf of AK | 1955-1992 |
| 9/19 | Kenai Peninsula—Kenai Fjords—Kodiak—P. W. Sound—Kachemak Bay—Katmai | 1957-1998 |
| 10/1 | Kenai Peninsula—Kenai Fjords—Kodiak—P. W. Sound—Kachemak Bay—Katmai | 1959-1995 |
| 10/2 | Mexico | 1961, 1969 |
| 10/3 | Hawaii | 1959-2001 |
| 10/4-5 | Canada | 1952-1981 |
| 10/6 | Nome and Seward Peninsula | 1955-1991 |
| 10/7 | Kotzebue—Red Dog Mine—St. Lawrence—Gambell | 1955-1993 |
| 10/8-12 | Landscape LKUs | 1954-1985 |
| 10/13 | Pipeline | 1975-1977 |
| 11/1 | Pipeline | 1975-1977 |
| 11/2-3 | Pipeline KU | 1975-1990 |
| 11/4-5 | Glacier Bay—Skagway—Carnival Trip 1997—S. East Panhandle | 1956-2000 |
| 11/6-7 | McKinley Park—Sheenjek Trip | 1955-1996 |
| 11/8-9 | Matanuska Valley—Talkeetna and Talkeetnas | 1955-1986 |
| 11/10 | Anchorage City Events and Immediate Area | 1957-1975 |
| 11/11 | Cook Inlet Oil | 1955-1975 |
| 11/12 | Portage Glacier Area—AAPA—Moors—Neogene Collection | 1956-1990 |
| 11/13 | Anchorage Vicinity | 1956-1974 |
| 11/14 | Anchorage Field trips—Ship Creek—Coal Healy—Evan J. and Other Miners—Cali.—Ariz. | 1952-1980 |
| 11/15 | Teaching Slides—Paleo—History—Geology—CD | 1953-1972 |
| 11/16 | Teaching Slides—Wind—Desert—EQ | 1952-1984 |
| 11/17 | Teaching Slides—Oceans—SKU—SED | 1953-1976 |
| 11/18 | Teaching Slides—Weather—Mass MU—GRW H2O—Rivers | 1958-1979 |
| 12/1 | Teaching Slides—16N RX—RX Volc.—Glades | 1953-1979 |
| 12/2 | Maps –Diagrams | 1964-1980 |
| 12/3 | Glacier Bay N. M.—E. Gulf of Alaska—Glaciers | 1956-1976 |
| 12/4 | Katmai—Kodiak—FSI PT | 1962-1970 |
| 12/5 | National Parks and Volcanoes | 1953-1980 |
| 12/6 | National Parks | 1955-1979 |
| 12/7 | Ice Fields—Misc. Al.—Clouds | 1953-1975 |
| 12/8 | 27 March ’64—EQ and LS—Anchorage | 1959-1984 |
| 12/9 | Alaska EQ—Seward—Kodiak—Valdez | 1955-1967 |
| 12/10 | Europe—France, N. Africa, Italy, Switzerland, Germany | 1952 |
| 12/11 | Flowers | 1945, 1955 |
| 12/12 | Skiing—Folk Dance and John’s Boat | 1950-1953 |
| 12/13 | Trips: Virginia, Washington D.C., Maine | 1942-1955 |
| 12/14 | Family—NYC—Columbia—Shells, Mins., Gems | 1940-1972 |
| 12/15 | D. C. 2000 | 2000 |
| 12/16 | Kilauea Iki Duplicates | 1959-1960 |
| 12/17 | Some Glaciers | 1958-1993 |
| 12/18 | Anchorage—Geology Field Trip—Hydrologic Cycle | 1959-1980 |
| 12/19 | Delaney Park Strip | 1999-2000 |
| 12/20 | Glacier Bay | 1986-1991 |
| 12/21 | Mears Glacier—Una Kwik Inlet | 2001 |
| 12/22 | Matanuska Glacier—Denali Park | 2002-2003 |
| 12/23 | Anchorage—Flowers—Clouds | 1957-2001 |
| 12/24 | Alaska Wildlife—Arizona Landscape | 1979 |
| 12/25 | USGS Set of EQ Duplicates | 1964-1965 |
| 12/26 | Trip to Kenai and Homer | 2002 |
| 12/27 | Biotite—Pyroxene | undated |
| 12/28 | Wishbone Hill | 1997 |
| 12/29 | Alaska ’04—Moose in Yard—Garden | 2004 |
| 12/30 | Gold Slides from George Herben | 1977 |
| 12/31 | Anchorage 1957—Statehood Celebration 1958—Early AK Oil Development 1958 | 1957-1958 |
| 12/32-36 | Film negatives: Trips | undated |
| 12/37 | Anchorage, Ruth’s house | 1957-1996 |
| 12/38 | Photograph notebook: photography data | 1941-1945 |
| 12/39 | Trips | 1947-1992 |
| 12/40 | Alaska trips | circa 1968-1979 |
| 12/41 | Anchorage, Ruth’s house | 1992-1997 |
Series 8: Audio/visual materials; undated, 1988. 2 cubic feet.
The series contains audio letters recorded on 3 inch audio reels from Ruth’s family members. The series also contains audiocassettes of Ruth describing her household inventory, interviews, and trips she took to Shishmaref, Kodiak, Nome, Fairbanks, and Glenallen. The 1/4-inch audio reels and film have been digitized.
| Box | Description | Dates |
| 16 | Film: footage of Barrow and Kotzebue in Alaska, and San Francisco; living letters on 3 inch audio reels; Audiocassettes: Trips, interviews, bird songs, Ruth’s dictation of glaciers, places, fuel emissions, and how to teach students and what they should know, inventory of home; VHS: Shorelines, ACC, Nine Star Productions; Pribilof Islands; Letter from Flo about tapes and memo from Don Grybeck | undated, 1988 |
| 17 | Audio reels | undated |