Stories of the Land: Local History with Springsong
Springsong Museum Founder & Executive Director Rebecca Henson and Duke University Visiting Scholar Joel I. Cohen hosted the museum’s first Stories of the Land presentation. On June 28, Henson and Cohen discussed on the unlikely partnership of writer Rachel Carson and illustrator Bob Hines and their role in advent of the conservation movement in the 20th Century.
Though Bob Hines initially declined to work with Rachel Carson on account of her gender, upon further meeting her, he was so impressed with her work that he eventually accepted the offer, leading to a fruitful collaboration between the two. As part of the country’s first wildlife stamp series, Hines illustrated the whooping crane stamp, helping to boost conservation efforts for the near-extinct species. The wildlife series from Hines, combined with the release of Silent Spring, provided a foundation for creating and launching multiple stamp series relating to themes of conservation and environmental protection.
A stamp commemorating Carson herself, as designed by Ward Brackett, would be issued later, in “The Great Americans Series” of 1981. As a final tribute, Hines would illustrate the commemorative 50th Anniversary edition of Under the Sea-Wind in 1991.
Carson and Hines’ legacy of conservation continues on today, and the fascinating intersection of postage stamps, environmentalism, and art all speak to Carson and Hines’ influence on the larger American public.
Thank you to Joel Cohen, Springsong volunteers, and those who joined us!
Keep updated on future Stories of the Land events by visiting the Upcoming Events page, or subscribing to our newsletter.
