Call Number: Mss 255, Pc 218, Tc 216, Mf 28, Mc 21, El 7 (A.07-50)

Title: Joan B. Townsend fonds.

Dates: 1954-2004.

Extent: 25.2 m of textual records and other material.

Biographical sketch: Joan B. Townsend was born in Dallas, Texas on July 9, 1933. She obtained an A.A. from Columbia College in 1952. In 1959, she received a B.A. from U.C.L.A, followed by her Ph.D in 1965. Townsend taught briefly at East Los Angeles College from 1962 to 1963, followed by stints at Los Angeles State College in 1963 and Southern Illinois University between 1963 and 1964. She began her career at the University of Manitoba in 1964 and in 1981 attained the rank of Professor. She is recognized as a founding member of the Department of Anthropology and as one of the initial creators of its graduate program. Townsend was actively involved in field research beginning in 1958 with the recording and excavation of various archaeological sites in Utah and southern California. From 1960 to 1982, she conducted numerous archaeological surveys and excavations in the Iliamna Lake region of Alaska, and studied Tanaina Athapaskans and Aglegmiut Yupik Eskimos in the area. She published numerous papers and articles in these areas and in 1970 produced the book, Kijik: An Historic Settlement. In 1999, Townsend retired from the University of Manitoba and was named Professor Emeritus in recognition of her accomplishments in anthropological research and teaching. Upon retiring, Townsend continued to conduct research on Shamanism among traditional practitioners in Nepal, as well as ethno-medicine and non-allopathic healing. Joan Townsend died on May 23, 2006.

Custodial history: The fonds was donated to Archives & Special Collections by Joan Townsend's daughter, Dr. Paula Townsend, in 2007.

Scope and content: The fonds has been arranged into 18 series. They include: biographical materials, academic career, manuscripts and books, articles, book reviews, conference papers, lecture notes and supplementary materials, student essays, organizations, public lectures, grant proposals, correspondence, and academic research, including artifacts. The fonds includes an extensive photograph collection including 2243 slides, 144 photographs, and 1087 negatives. The tape collection includes 280 audio cassettes, 13 mini-cassettes, and 8 reel to reel tapes. The fonds also includes 26 reels of microfilm, 33 maps, and 52 computer diskettes.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to this fonds.

Finding aid: An on-line finding aid to this fonds is available at the link below:

MSS 255, PC 218, TC 216, MF 28, MC 21, EL 7 (A07-50).