Perkins Observatory were both growing. Light pollution therefore became increasingly problematic. So in 1961 the Perkins Telescope was moved to Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Lowell is the largest private observatory (non-university or government affiliated) in the world. Through the end of the 20th century, the Perkins Telescope was the observatory’s largest instrument. Observing time on this instrument was shared between Lowell astronomers and the Ohio State University. The telescope at Perkins was immediately replaced with a cassegrain reflector telescope. It was donated by Michael R. Schottland, an entrepreneur from Martinsville, Virginia. At that time it was the largest privately owned telescope
William Lowell Putnam III January 5, 2014 at the age of 97. He served as sole trustee of Lowell Observatory from 1987 to 2013. During his tenure, the observatory built the Steele Visitor Center, added the Friends of Lowell membership program, constructed the Discovery Channel Telescope, and began construction on the Putnam Collection Center. Putnam died on December 20, 2014, aged 90. William Lowell Putnam III William Lowell Putnam III (October 25, 1924 – December 20, 2014) was an alpinist, author and retired broadcasting executive. He was Trustee Emeritus of the Lowell Observatory, a private astronomical research facility. He was the son of politician