Orra Almira Phelps

{{short description|American doctor, teacher, naturalist, botanist, and environmentalist (1895-1986)}}Orra Almira Phelps (10 September 1895-26 August 1986) was an American physician, botanist, naturalist, mountaineer, and writer. Phelps was born in Storrs, Connecticut. Her mother was a noted botanist in her own right and mentored Orra.{{Cite web|title=Collection: Orra Almira Parker Phelps and Orra A. Phelps papers {{!}} Mount Holyoke and Hampshire College archives|url=https://aspace.fivecolleges.edu/repositories/2/resources/661|access-date=2020-10-12|website=aspace.fivecolleges.edu}} Her father struggled with employment. As a result, the family moved frequently and Orra helped take care of her six siblings.{{Cite web|title=Breaking Trail - Purple Mountain Press|url=http://www.catskill.net/purple/breaking.htm|access-date=2020-10-12|website=www.catskill.net}} She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1918 after studying zoology and geology and later graduated with a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1927. Phelps served as a navy physician during World War Two, and later taught botany and biology in Saratoga Springs.{{Cite web|title=Orra A Phelps Collection Finding Guide|url=https://digitalworks.union.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=arl_findingaids}} In 1934, Phelps published the first trail guide to the High Peaks Region.{{Cite journal|date=2015|title=Museum Is Open Through September 27|url=https://mansfieldct-history.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/newsletter-9-2015.pdf|journal=Mansfield Historical Society Newsletter|volume=51}} It was noted for its accuracy and thoroughness; she hiked each of the trails herself to ensure it was complete. She became an Adirondack Forty-Sixer in 1947, one of only forty-seven people at the time. Phelps had extensive knowledge of the plants and animals of the area, and as the first ranger-naturalist for the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) she organized a nature museum in a tent and her car, and educated guests and visitors about the wildlife.

An 18-acre parcel of land in Saratoga where Phelps used to go birding, specimen hunting, and walking was donated by her niece to become the Orra Phelps Preserve.{{Cite web|title=Orra Phelps Nature Preserve » Saratoga PLAN|url=https://www.saratogaplan.org/explore/public-preserves-trails/orra-phelps-preserve/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Saratoga PLAN|language=en}}