Dr. Mary S. Whetstone

The Minnesota Mycological Society is the second-oldest mycological society in North America. It was founded in 1898 at the initiative of Mary S. Whetstone, a prominent Minneapolis physician, who was concerned about supplementing the nutrition of women and children. The society was incorporated in 1899, and it has been in continuous existence since then. Mary Whetstone corresponded with nationally-known mycologists of her time seeking their help in identification. Today her collections can still be found at the New York State Museum in Albany and as a part of the C.G. Lloyd Collection National Fungus Collection. Whetstone corresponded with Dr. Charles Peck, seeking his help in identifying specimens. Peck named one Amanita whetstonea, which was recently published by Rod Tulloss.
~Adele Mehta, Bloomington, MN