The uses of our proud past

by Douglas F. Davis Forest History SocietY, Inc. Santa Cruz, Ca.

Ft ECAUSE lumber and wood

IJproducts have been so abundant and easily obtainable through this country's history, most Americans tend to overlook the tremendous role forest products have played in the American heritage. Historians, among others, have neglected the story ofour forest resources.

The technology, sweat, and ingenuity involved in transforming logs into useful products for the lumberyard, home center and other retail outlets are still largely unrecognized in our time, a case of underexposure that dates back to colonial times.

The Forest History SocietY, a private nonprofit institution based in Santa Cruz, Ca., believes it is time to let the American people know that our forest history is a proud part of the American heritage. For nearlY three decades the Society's program of collecting, researching, and publishing the story of man's use of North American forests has aimed at educating the public.

Reputation, as every businessman knows, is a valuable (though intangible) asset to his business. A reputation is secure when a record of Product quality, honest service, and credibility has been established over the years and the public is aware of it. Public awareness is a crucial component of the process. ln this sense history books and articles read by children and adults contribute to the views they develop toward tesource utilization and industry. ln 1947 the Forest HistorY SocietY stepped into what was then a virtual "informational vacuum" on the his-

Story at a Glance

The Forest History Society helps disseminate the true story of the forest products industry and blunt environmentalist inaccuracies. FHS is a useful organization Performing a real seruice for the industry.

tory of our forest resources. Its work, as it contributes to public understanding, benefits everyone in the forestrelated community.

The Society publishes the quarterly Joumal of Forest History, a lively and interesting magazine laced with authentic historical articles and photographs. To stimulate quality writing on the subject of forest history, we offer cash prizes to authors of the best articles published each year in our own journal and other magazines.

Recent events in forest history are preserved by making taPe recorded interviews with older members of the forest community. With funding assistance from sponsors, interviews are published in hardbound volumes for purchase by libraries and interested individuals. Recently published inter' views include a four-volume series on the red cedar shingle industry and an interview with retired Forest Service Chief Richard E. McArdle.

ln 1974 the Society published three forest history books, including W. H.

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