Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
T. T. Lyon Papers
c.00345
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Lyon, T. T., (Theodatus Timothy), 1817-1900
- Title
- T. T. Lyon papers
- ID
- c.00345
- Date [inclusive]
- 1874-1880
- Extent
- 0.1 Cubic feet , 1 folder, 2 volumes on shelf
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."
Biographical/Historical
T. T. Lyon (1817-1900) was the donor and first superintendent of the South Haven Experiment Station. He served as President (1876-1893) and Secretary of the Michigan State Horticultural Society. He edited the American Pomological Society’s fruit variety catalogue for more than 40 years.
One of the early supporters of Michigan Agriculture College (now Michigan State University), Lyon, a native of New York, moved to Michigan with his parents in 1828. He operated a farm and sawmill in Plymouth, and there established a test orchard for apple and pear cultivars. He provided scions of many cultivars to the college for use in establishing orchards at East Lansing.
In 1874 Lyon moved to South Haven and established a new orchard and nursery. Lyon retired from the nursery business in 1885 and in 1888 signed an agreement with the Board of Agriculture to write a report on the cultivars under test in his orchard. This led to the Board’s leasing the orchard in 1889, retaining Lyon as superintendent. Lyon continued in his supervisory role until his resignation in 1898 at the age of 81. He was awarded an honorary Master of Horticulture degree by M.A.C. in 1891.
(From Seed to Fruit: 150 Years of Horticulture at Michigan State 1855-2005, Department of Horticulture, MSU, 2007)
Scope and Contents note
The collection consists of the letterbooks of T. T. Lyon of Plymouth, Michigan, president and superintendent of the Michigan Lake Shore Nurseries, South Haven, Michigan.
Volume I (1874-1876) and volume II (1875-1880) contain copies of business letters written exclusively by Lyon. Included are letters concerning loans for land improvements, ordering nursery stock, securing agents to solicit orders and advertise their nursery products, mass orders to various Granges in Michigan, lists of varieties of fruits, and horticultural experiments.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections July 1967
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
July 2000
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University. Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Gift of H. B. Tukey, 1961-02-16. Transferred by Michigan State University Museum
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
- Commercial correspondence
- Photographs
Personal Name(s)
- Tukey, Harold B.
Subject(s)
- Horticulture -- Michigan
- Nurseries (Horticulture)
Collection Inventory
| Folder | ||||
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Postcard 1876 |
1 | |||
Correspondence |
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| Volume | ||||
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Vol. 1, Letters 1874-1876 |
1 | |||
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Vol. 2, Letter Book 1875-1880 |
2 | |||
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Photographs |
Drawer People Photographs |
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People. Lyon, T. T. |
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