E.E. Barnard discovered IC 4954, along with IC 4955, on 9 Jun 1888 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. He noted, "the north nebula [IC 4954] is not so well defined [as the south one] - that is the star is not. The star may be double, there is a faint star or separate patch (definition too bad to decide) close s.f. If the star is double, the components will be nearly n and s but not quite." He also viewed these reflection nebulae on 15 and 29 Jun, as well as 25 Jul 1888. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/26/92): this moderately bright reflection nebulosity forms a fairly striking compact pair with IC 4955 4' SE. Very small, round, 15"-20" diameter. Appears to surround a mag 13 star. A distinctive group of five stars (part of Roslund 4) just south are arranged in two parallel rows of three stars and two stars. No contrast gain with OIII or Deep Sky filter.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb