Guide to the Christine A. Heller papers
1895-1982
Collection number: HMC-0367.
Creator: Heller, Christine A.
Title: Christine A. Heller papers.
Dates: 1895-1982.
Volume of collection: 15.4 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Papers of an Alaskan botanist and nutritionist.
Biographical note:
Christine Anderson Heller was born on March 27, 1907, in Utica, New York, and grew up in the House of the Good Shepherd, an Episcopalian children’s home in Utica. She obtained a bachelor of science degree (1933), a master’s degree (1937), and a doctorate in nutrition (with a minor in botany, 1952) from Cornell University. She was a nutritionist in New Mexico and also worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Sacramento, California, and the California Health Department before moving to Juneau in 1945. She worked as a nutritionist in Alaska in various positions until her retirement in 1965. She also occasionally taught university courses in nutrition. Christine Heller maintained her interest in botany in Alaska. She wrote two works on botany in Alaska, Edible and Poisonous Plants of Alaska and Wild Flowers of Alaska (with Margaret E. Heller).
Collection description:
The collection consists primarily of materials relating to Christine Heller’s professional work as a nutritionist and to her work in botany. It includes the data, notes, and drafts related to The Alaska Dietary Survey, 1956-1961 and the journal and photographs from the 1948 summer trip of the Coast Guard cutter Northwind to various villages in Alaska. There are also subject files on nutrition and food, and a large collection of recipes.
Arrangement: The collection is grouped into series: personal papers; academic course work and teaching; professional correspondence, publications and speeches; Alaska Dietary Survey records; nutrition and food-related materials; art and photographic materials; and other reference materials.
Alternative formats: Some photographic prints in the collection have had copy negatives made of them.
Digitized copies: Four images from the collection are available on the Alaska’s Digital Archives . For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Access restrictions: The collection contains original data sheets from the Alaska Dietary Survey and annotated copies of sections of the 1958 Bureau of Indian Affairs census. These are closed to research at this time. Please contact the Archives for more information regarding access to the Dietary Survey data sheets. Redacted copies of the 1958 census are available through the National Archives and through the Sealaska Heritage Institute.
Rights note: The Archives does not hold copyright to the materials in this collection.
Preferred citation: Christine A. Heller papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Separated materials: In 2010, due to preservation concerns, Christine Heller’s collected botanical specimens were removed from the collection and transferred to the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North herbarium. Published items, including dietetic and botanical publications and cookbooks were transferred to the Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection in 2012.
Related materials: Archives and Special Collections also holds the papers of Margaret Heller, Christine’s sister. HMC-0398. A collection of Christine Heller’s photographs is located at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. As noted above, her botanical specimens are held by the University of Alaska Museum of the North.
Acquisition note: The collection was presented to the Archives by the estate of Margaret Heller in 1991.
Processing information: This collection was arranged and described by Michelle Wellck in the late 1990s. The guide was reformatted to current standards by Arlene Schmuland in 2012.
Series List:
Series 1: Personal records; 1938-1982.
Series 2: Academic coursework and teaching records; 1928-1956.
Series 3: Professional correspondence, publications and speeches; 1942-1974.
Series 4: Alaska Dietary Survey papers; 1955-1967.
Series 5: Nutrition and food-related work files; 1910-1973.
Series 6: Botany work files; undated, 1895-1975.
Series 7: Art and photographic materials; 1895-1970.
Series 8: Reference materials; undated, 1942-1970.
Container list:
Series 1. Personal records; 1938-1982. 0.7 cubic feet.
This series includes membership records for various organizations and associations to which Christine Heller belonged; personal correspondence, a portion of which is correspondence with Alaska Natives who were making Native arts and craft items for purchase by Christine Heller; financial records, which includes bank statements, canceled checks, tax forms, and insurance records; and other personal records. The materials in this series are grouped by type of record.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Membership cards | 1944-1974 |
| 1/2-3 | American Dietetic Association records | 1944-1974 |
| 1/4 | American Home Economics Association records | 1966-1974 |
| 1/5 | Alaska Home Economics Association | 1970, 1974 |
| 1/6 | Herb Society of America | 1954, 1966 |
| 1/7 | Janet Alexander correspondence | 1947-1948 |
| 1/8 | Jimmie Killigivuk correspondence | 1947-1953 |
| 1/9 | Daisy Lane correspondence | 1947-1953 |
| 1/10 | Esther/Easter Lizzie Lane correspondence | 1947-1949 |
| 1/11 | Ruth Lee correspondence | 1960, 1963, 1965 |
| 1/12 | Pauline Tom correspondence | 1966 |
| 1/13 | Wilbur Walluk correspondence | 1947-1949 |
| 1/14-16 | Personal correspondence | 1947-1975 |
| 1/17 | Letterhead and address labels | undated |
| 1/18 | Alaska Crippled Children’s Association greeting cards | undated |
| 1/19 | Bank statements, B.M. Behrends Bank | 1946 |
| 1/20-25 | Bank statements and canceled checks, Union Bank of Anchorage | 1947-1949 |
| 1/26-27 | Bank statements and canceled checks, National City Bank of Cleveland | 1949-1950 |
| 1/28-29 | Bank statements and canceled checks, First National Bank of Ithaca, New York | 1950-1952 |
| 1/30 | Bank statements and canceled checks, Union Bank of Anchorage | 1952 |
| 1/31 | Bank statements and canceled checks, Miners and Merchants Bank of Ketchikan | 1952-1953 |
| 1/32-33 | Bank statements and canceled checks, Union Bank of Anchorage | 1953-1954 |
| 1/34 | Check stubs | 1947-1954 |
| 1/35 | Insurance records | 1938-1982 |
| 1/36 | Pay stubs and statements of earnings | 1949-1968 |
| 1/37 | Tax records | 1947-1954 |
| 1/38 | Other financial records | 1945-1980 |
| 1/39 | Medical laboratory results | 1945 |
Series 2: Academic coursework and teaching records; 1928-1956. 1.0 cubic feet.
This series consists of notes, handouts, and exams from courses taken and taught by Christine Heller. It was not possible to completely separate those courses in which she was a student from those courses she taught as she was both student and teacher at different points in her graduate school years. Most folder descriptions were taken from Christine Heller’s file labels or notes. Arranged roughly in alphabetical order by course title or description.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/40 | Cornell transcript and grade report | 1950, 1954 |
| 1/41 | 110b/Vit. D/Bone/Ca | 1933-1934, 1947 |
| 1/42 | 120-Flavor | 1928, 1936, 1954 |
| 1/43 | 184 | 1936, 1934, 1946 |
| 1/44 | 215-Advanced animal nutrition | 1938-1939 |
| 1/45 | Animal husbandry 215 | 1950 |
| 1/46 | Biochemistry 102 | 1950 |
| 2/1 | Biochemistry/nutrition 220 | 1951 |
| 2/2 | Biochemistry | 1949-1950? |
| 2/3 | Biochemistry | 1951 |
| 2/4 | Biology/physiology 361 | 1949 |
| 2/5 | Biology/physiology 361/362 | 1949-1950 |
| 2/6 | Foods and nutrition 234 | 1955 |
| 2/7 | Home economics 1 | 1956 |
| 2/8 | Home economics 1 and 3, course outlines | undated |
| 2/9 | Physiology 361 | 1949 |
| 2/10 | Physiology 361/362J | 1949-1950 |
| 2/11 | Physiology 362/362J | undated |
| 2/12 | Physiology 362J | 1950 |
| 2/13 | Physiology | 1949 |
| 2/14 | Sociology/anthropology 690 | 1950? |
| 2/15 | Handouts from unknown course | 1945 |
| 2/16 | Notes from unknown courses | 1951 |
| 2/17-19 | Notes from courses | 1945-1955 |
| 2/20 | Notes regarding teaching a nutrition course? | undated |
Series 3: Professional correspondence, publications and speeches; 1942-1974. 0.6 cubic feet.
This series is arranged into five groupings: professional correspondence; nutrition publications and drafts, botany publications, speeches and presentations, and publications mentioning or citing Christine Heller. Arranged by document type, generally chronologically within.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 2/21-22 | Professional correspondence | 1947-1974 |
| 2/23-3/2 | Nutrition drafts and publications | 1942-1964 |
| 3/3 | Botany publications | 1953-1966 |
| 3/4-10 | Speeches and presentations | undated |
| 3/11-13 | Publications citing Heller | 1943-1973 |
Series 4: Alaska Dietary Survey papers; 1955-1967. 1.7 cubic feet.
This series consists of materials relating to the Alaska Dietary Survey of 1956-1961. The series includes drafts of portions of the report, compilations of data, daily food records, and reference materials. Access to portions of this collection is restricted as noted below: please consult archivists for more information.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 3/14 | Village nutrient intake report drafts | undated |
| 3/15-16 | Village nutrient intake tables | undated |
| 3/17 | Nutrient source data | undated, 1962 |
| 3/18 | Village nutrient intake study—calcium intakes | undated, 1962 |
| 3/19 | Village nutrient intake study—per capita intakes | undated, 1962 |
| 3/20 | Village nutrient intake study—preschool children | undated, 1959-1962 |
| 3/21 | Village nutrient intake study—preschool children—calcium intake | Unated, 1962 |
| 3/22-23 | Village nutrient intake study—preschool diet | undated, 1962 |
| 4/1 | Infant nutrient information | undated |
| 4/2-3 | Infant feeding practices, drafts and notes | undated, 1962 |
| 4/4 | Infant feeding—table drafts | undated |
| 4/5-12 | “Infant feeding practices among Alaskan Eskimos and Indians” drafts and notes | undated, 1962-1963 |
| 4/13 | “Infant Dietary Practices Among Alaskan Eskimos and Indians”-by Christine A. Heller-for presentation in the Symposium on Cultural Influence on Diet at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science | 1963-1964 |
| 4/14 | Map | undated |
| 4/15 | Store foods—yearly supply from invoices and inventory, Shishmaref, Newtok, and Hooper Bay | 1956-1957 |
| 4/16-19 | References | undated, 1958-1961 |
| 4/20-21 | References | 1953, 1955, 1961 |
| 4/22-5/34 | [Closed to access: see restriction notes above] Alaska Dietary Survey daily food records | 1956-1961 |
| 5/35-39 | [Closed to access: see restriction notes above] Bureau of Indian Affairs census schedules, annotated | 1958 |
Series 5: Nutrition and food-related work files; 1910-1973. 9.25 cubic feet.
This series includes Christine Heller’s files relating to her nutrition and food-related work other than the Alaska Dietary Survey. Generally grouped by type of document or subject.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 6/1-2 | Journals | 1948-1949 |
| 6/3 | “Summary of trip aboard Coast Guard Cutter Northwind—June 6 to August 6, 1948” | Circa 1948 |
| 6/4 | Application for federal employment | Circa 1953 |
| 6/5 | “Nutrition lesson plans for Eskimo Mothers” | undated |
| 6/6 | Meat storage and spoilage notes | undated |
| 6/7 | Tularemia questionnaire, Arctic Health Research Center | 1960 |
| 6/8 | Recipes for Pioneer Home (?) | undated |
| 6/9 | Professional notes | undated |
| 6/10 | Notes from books and articles | undated |
| 6/11-12 | Native foods and food sources reports | undated, 1946, 1948 |
| 6/13 | Food surveillance study | undated |
| 6/14 | Blank monthly record form of Native foods, store foods, and income | undated |
| 6/15 | List of foods from Chevak | undated |
| 6/16 | Hooper Bay notes | 1966 |
| 6/17 | Hooper Bay and Newtok food notes | 1968 |
| 6/18 | Kivalina notes | undated |
| 6/19 | Selawik notes | 1966 |
| 6/20 | Wainwright nutrition study proposal | undated |
| 6/21 | Wainwright notes | undated |
| 6/22 | Point Hope diet records | 1971-1972 |
| 6/23 | Protein and iodine references | undated |
| 6/24 | Appetite and food habits subject file | 1943-1955 |
| 6/25 | Artificial feeding, University of Utah subject file | 1955-1956 |
| 6/26 | Biotin subject file | 1935-1952 |
| 6/27 | Calcium subject file | 1938-1956 |
| 6/28-29 | Child development and nutrition subject files | 1929-1952 |
| 6/30 | Child guidance subject file | 1929-1944 |
| 6/31 | Color changes in food subject file | 1951 |
| 6/32 | Constipation and diarrhea subject file | 1924-1947 |
| 7/1 | Diabetes subject file | 1935-1952 |
| 7/2 | Diet and disease subject file | 1942-1956 |
| 7/3-4 | Diet and dietary diseases subject file | 1920-1955 |
| 7/5 | Dietherapy subject file | undated |
| 7/6-8 | Fats subject files | 1935-1955 |
| 7/9 | Fats and oils subject file | 1941-1953 |
| 7/10 | Fatty acids subject file | 1954-1959 |
| 7/11 | Food costs subject file | 1946-1951 |
| 7/12 | Food microbiology and food borne diseases subject file | 1962-1966 |
| 7/13-14 | Food preservation subject file | 1924-1954 |
| 7/15 | Geriatrics and nutrition/diet and disease/diet restriction subject file | 1934-1948 |
| 7/16 | History of nutrition subject file | 1943-1953 |
| 7/17 | Hormones subject file | 1946, 1955 |
| 7/18 | Infant feeding general/newborns subject file | 1928-1956 |
| 7/19 | Infant nutrition subject file | 1928-1948 |
| 7/20-22 | Iron subject file | 1924-1951 |
| 8/1 | Lactation and pregnancy subject file | 1934-1947 |
| 8/2-4 | Mineral metabolism subject file | 1934-1954 |
| 8/5-6 | Nutrition subject file | 1939-1954 |
| 8/7 | Nutrition surveys subject file | 1945-1946 |
| 8/8-9 | Poultry/protein subject file | 1943-1952 |
| 8/10-12 | Pregnancy subject file | 1932-1950 |
| 8/13 | Pregnancy/obesity subject file | undated |
| 8/14-18 | Protein subject file | 1932-1954 |
| 8/19 | Protein denaturization subject file | undated |
| 8/20 | Radiation references—Alaska Eskimos subject file | 1956-1964 |
| 8/21 | School children subject file | 1937-1951 |
| 9/1 | School nutrition | undated |
| 9/2-4 | Vitamins subject file | 1935-1955 |
| 9/5 | Vitamins in fish and fish products subject file | undated, 1962 |
| 9/6 | Nutrition reference index cards | undated |
| 9/7-12/15 | Cooking and food subject files | 1910-1968 |
| 15-19 | Recipe cards | undated |
| 12/16-23 | Notecards from cookbooks | 1959-1973 |
Series 6: Botany work files; undated, 1895-1975. 0.5 cubic feet.
This series consists of notes and publications most likely used in the development of Christine Heller’s Wild Flowers of Alaska.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 12/24-26 | Botany notes | undated, 1959 |
| 13/1 | Lists of plants (referencing photographs?) | undated |
| 13/2-4 | Notes related to wildflower book | undated |
| 13/5 | Ideas regarding “Alaskan Notes” | undated |
| 13/6 | “Alaska plants collected near Fairbanks, 1950” list | 1950 |
| 13/7 | Flower drawings | undated |
| 13/8 | Pressed flower bookmark and card | undated |
| 13/9-12 | Botany reference works and notes | 1895-1970 |
Series 7: Art and photographic materials; 1895-1970. 1.0 cubic feet.
This series includes some artwork, photographs, postcards, and a filmstrip. Materials are grouped by type.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 13/13 | Wilbur Walluk drawings (four) | undated |
| 13/14-15 | Portraits of Christine Heller | undated |
| 13/16 | Family photographs | undated |
| 13/17 | Unidentified images | undated |
| 13/18 | Dogs photographs | undated, 1963-1970 |
| 13/19 | Children of friends and relatives photographs | undated, 1967 |
| 13/20 | Alaska Dietary Survey related photographs | undated |
| 13/21 | Unidentified images (possibly from 1948 trip) | undated |
| 13/22 | Tunanak, Nelson Island photographs | undated |
| 13/23-28 | Unidentified villages and individuals photographs | undated, 1949-1961 |
| 13/29-33 | Flower photographs | undated, 1954-1970 |
| 13/34 | Fish filleting step-by-step photographs | undated |
| 13/35 | “Chilkat Chiefs in Dancing Costumes, Alaska”-Winter and Pond photograph | 1895 |
| 13/36 | Unidentified photographs | undated |
| 13/37-38 | Northwind trip photographs, including Christine Heller, Cmdr. Smeuton(?), Dr. Coenraad F.A. Moorrees [D.D.S. in Harvard group], Dr. Price [ship’s doctor], Esther Schaubel [ANS field nurse], Mr. Grant [ship’s photographer], Mr. Stockman [boatswain mate], Mr. Fredette, Lt. Russel, Mr. Crutcher, Snooze Jensen, Mr. Murray, Captain Thomas, Mr. Ottinger, Mrs. Kate Smith [ANS social worker], Mr. May [archaeologist in Harvard group], Mr. Ralph Calvert, Mrs. Edith Clark, Dr. Bill Braye, Mr. Scotto, the Northwind, the Northwind‘s landing craft, the Harvard Expeditionary Force [going to the Aleutians], Eskimos coming to the CGC for dental care, Eskimo families, Eskimo homes (exterior and interior), missionaries at Galovin, Kagamil Island, Mt. Carlisle, Nunivak Island, Cape Mendenhall, Mekoryuk, Nome, King Island, Teller, Teller Mission, Little Diomede, Big Diomede, Shismaref, Kotzebue, Point Hope, St. Paul Island, Nash Harbor, Gambel, St. Lawrence Island, Mt. Fairweather, plants, seals, seal pokes, barabaras, bird skins drying, and walrus meat drying. | 1948 |
| 13/39 | Alaska-Anchorage (38 postcards, 20 images) | undated |
| 13/40 | Alaska-Animals-Bears (59 postcards, 34 images) | undated |
| 13/41 | Alaska-Animals-Birds (55 postcards, 17 images) | undated |
| 13/42 | Alaska-Animals-Caribou/Reindeer (31 postcards, 16 images) | undated |
| 13/43 | Alaska-Animals-Goats (14 postcards, 7 images) | undated |
| 13/44 | Alaska-Animals-Moose (40 postcards, 18 images) | undated |
| 13/45 | Alaska-Animals-Sheep (33 postcards, 15 images) | undated |
| 13/46 | Alaska-Animals-Walrus/Seals/Sea Lions (20 postcards, 13 images) | undated |
| 13/47 | Alaska-Animals-Misc. Animals (37 postcards, 25 images) | undated |
| 13/48 | Alaska-Cabins (11 postcards, 7 images) | undated |
| 13/49 | Alaska-Cordova (5 postcards, 4 images) | undated |
| 13/50 | Alaska-Fairbanks (9 postcards, 9 images) | undated |
| 13/51 | Alaska-Flowers (38 postcards, 28 images) | undated |
| 13/52 | Alaska-Glaciers (44 postcards, 28 images) | undated |
| 13/53 | Alaska-Juneau (5 postcards, 3 images) | undated |
| 13/54 | Alaska-Mt. McKinley (49 postcards, 31 images) | undated |
| 13/55 | Alaska-Natives (mostly Eskimos) (125 postcards, 76 images) | undated |
| 13/56 | Alaska-Skagway (8 postcards, 7 images) | undated |
| 13/57 | Alaska-Totem Poles (35 postcards, 26 images) | undated |
| 13/58 | Alaska-Miscellaneous (91 postcards, 76 images) | undated |
| 14/1 | Animals (Non-Alaskan) (21 postcards, 19 images) | undated |
| 14/2 | Arizona (49 postcards, 44 images) | undated |
| 14/3 | Birds (Non-Alaskan) (12 postcards, 10 images) | undated |
| 14/4 | California (5 postcards, 5 images) | undated |
| 14/5 | Canada (9 postcards, 8 images) | undated |
| 14/6 | Connecticut (8 postcards, 8 images) | undated |
| 14/7 | Flowers (Non-Alaskan) (30 postcards, 28 images) | undated |
| 14/8 | Massachusetts (42 postcards, 36 images) | undated |
| 14/9 | Miscellaneous countries (14 postcards, 14 images), includes correspondence | undated |
| 14/10 | Montana (8 postcards, 7 images) | undated |
| 14/11 | New Jersey (12 postcards, 10 images) | undated |
| 14/12 | New Mexico (29 postcards, 28 images) | undated |
| 14/13 | New York (145 postcards, 134 images) | undated |
| 14/14 | New Zealand (6 postcards, 6 images) | undated |
| 14/15 | Oregon (14 postcards, 11 images) | undated |
| 14/16 | Paintings (23 postcards, 17 images) | undated |
| 14/17 | Vermont (19 postcards, 16 images) | undated |
| 14/18 | Washington (5 postcards, 5 images) | undated |
| 14/19 | Wyoming (30 postcards, 30 images) | undated |
| 14/20 | Unsorted (26 postcards, 26 images), includes correspondence | undated, 1948 |
| 14/21 | Postcards sent to Miss Christine A. McDonald, Utica, NY(9 postcards, 9 images), includes correspondence | 1907, 1909 |
| 20 | “How to package frozen foods” filmstrip by National agricultural Supply Co. | undated |
Series 8: Reference materials; undated, 1942-1970. 0.65 cubic feet.
This series includes includes some notes and publications on Alaskan food and Eskimos; and index cards which include references related to medicinal uses of herbs, Alaskan edible plants, ascorbic acid analysis, and other references.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 14/22-26 | General reference notes | 1942-1970 |
| 20 | Index note cards including Alaska edible/useful plants, ascorbic acid analysis, and medicinal herbs | undated |