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Rev. Clinton M. Jones

Reverend Clinton Mellon Jones (1829-1917) spent fifty years observing and collecting birds in the New England area. His priceless donation of 600 mounted birds will educate generations of Museum visitors.

Jones was born in Pownal, Maine, December 26, 1829. He graduated from Amherst College and the Hartford Theological Seminary. He was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1869, serving until 1915. Jones died in 1917 at age 85.

Jones was well-known as a serious amateur naturalist in New England. He lectured regularly in schools, colleges and clubs and wrote many articles for magazines and newspapers. He started his collection in 1875. For 50 years he systematically recorded his daily bird observations in a series of bound journals.

In 1926 his son, Frederick E. Jones of Newburg-on-Hudson NY, and daughter, Mildred S. Jones of West Woodstock CN, donated the collection consisting of 600 mounted birds and 8,000 eggs, along with the journals. George T. Baker, president of the Iowa State Board of Education was instrumental in helping to acquire the collection