Object Details
- Caption
- Melody Starya Mobley was the first African American female forester of the USDA Forest Service (USFS), serving from June 1977 until her retirement in March 2005. She also was the first African American woman to graduate (in 1979) from the University of Washington College of Forest Resources (later renamed the School of Forest Resources in the College of the Environment). During her 28 years with the USFS she served in national forests all over the country. Most notably for this collection, she served in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington state from 1980-1982, Cleveland National Forest in Southern California from 1982-1986, held a temporary assignment in Klamath National Forest in Northern California, and finally served in Ocala National Forest in central Florida from 1986-1987. From 1988 until her retirement in 2005 she served in the USFS headquarters in Washington, D.C. In the mid-1990s, Mobley was given a temporary detail to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada where she served as Deputy Forest Supervisor.
- Description
- United States Forest Service issued plastic water canteen with carrying case used by Melody Starya Mobley. The water canteen is comprised of a one quart plastic canteen (2019.80.6.1a), a metal lid (2019.80.6.1b), and a canvas carrying case (2019.80.6.1c).
- 2019.80.6.1a: The canteen is constructed of milk white plastic and is roughly rectangular in shape. Along the left edges of the front and the back are relief fill line marks that read [1/4], [1/2], [3/4] and [1 QUART]. Molded relief text on the bottom of the canteen read [SPOKANE, WASH. - Q – 3].
- 2019.80.6.1b: The canteen has a white metal screw cap. The interior of the cap is threaded. The exterior is ridged.
- 2019.80.6.1c: The carrying case is a fitted, white, cotton canvas bag. Sewn to the back of the case are two (2) white nylon belt straps that loop over the top to secure the canteen inside, and with snap buttons at the ends that fasten to the front of the case. Black text printed on the front of the case read [U.S. / GOVT.]. The back of the case is plain.
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Issued by
- United States Forest Service, founded 1905
- Used by
- Melody Starya Mobley, American, born 1958
- Subject of
- Cleveland National Forest, American, founded 1908
- Date
- ca. 1982
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Melody Starya Mobley
- Medium
- 2019.80.6.1a: plastic
- 2019.80.6.1b: metal
- 2019.80.6.1c: ink on cotton (textile) with metal and nylon
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (Overall): 9 5/8 × 6 1/8 × 2 9/16 in. (24.5 × 15.5 × 6.5 cm)
- H x W x D (2019.80.6.1a): 8 3/4 × 4 1/2 × 2 1/8 in. (22.3 × 11.4 × 5.4 cm)
- H x W x D (2019.80.6.1b): 7/16 × 1 1/4 × 1 1/4 in. (1.1 × 3.1 × 3.1 cm)
- H x W x D (2019.80.6.1c): 10 1/4 × 6 9/16 × 1 9/16 in. (26 × 16.6 × 3.9 cm)
- Type
- caps (closures)
- cases (containers)
- flasks (bottles)
