Stanford University Libraries Take Charge of California Historical Society Collection
Stanford University Libraries (SUL) has officially taken on the role of permanent steward for the California Historical Society Collection (CHS), a vast archive of over 600,000 items that document the history of California and the American West since the 18th century. This endeavor is set to significantly augment the research capacities available to scholars, students, and the wider public.
The CHS collection, now referred to as the California Historical Society Collection at Stanford, has been acquired in collaboration with the Bill Lane Center for the American West. The transfer was finalized in June of last year, allowing all of this valuable material to be housed at Stanford, where it will be accessible for research and educational purposes.
Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian at SUL, expressed the historical significance of this acquisition. He noted, “From its inception, the California Historical Society has focused on collecting and preserving the history of the West, amassing a remarkably rich and diverse array of archives over the years.”
The collection encompasses various formats including books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, and maps spanning approximately 16,000 linear feet. It features critical documents from pivotal historical events such as the California Gold Rush, the establishment of the state, as well as records of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. A unique part of this collection includes the archives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California dating back to the early 1900s.
Stanford historian Gordon H. Chang has already utilized resources from the CHS collection in his project on Chinese railroad workers in North America, discovering documents that shed light on aspects previously overlooked in railroad studies. His research highlights the deep connections between the CHS archives and Stanford’s existing collections regarding Asian American history, African American history, and Mexican American history.
Richard White, an emeritus professor of American history at Stanford, regards the CHS collection as one of the most precious yet underutilized resources in California. He believes the collection will enrich Stanford’s collections on the American West, filling crucial gaps in understanding the 19th and early 20th centuries of California’s history.
David M. Kennedy, another scholar involved in the acquisition, emphasized the strategic importance of bringing this collection to Stanford, stating it will position the university as a premier location for historical research focused on California and the broader North American West.
The California Historical Society's board considered various prestigious public and research institutions before choosing SUL, recognizing its solid infrastructure spanning twenty campus libraries and a knowledgeable team specializing in collections management, digitization, preservation, and technological development.
Jen Whitley, the interim CEO of the California Historical Society, remarked that the collaboration with SUL and the Bill Lane Center for the American West will continue to enhance the understanding of California and the surrounding regions.
As Richard Saller, Stanford’s twelfth president, pointed out, the integration of this collection aligns with Stanford’s fundamental mission of advancing research and education. He highlighted the timeliness of the collection in providing insights into historical trajectories over the past two centuries, making it a valuable resource in today’s context where historical perspectives are essential.
The California Historical Society Collection promises not only to support academic scholarship but also to engage the broader community with the rich tapestries of California's past. Access to these vast historical resources is now secured for future generations, ensuring that the stories and experiences of California’s diverse populations will continue to be explored and understood, fostering a deeper appreciation of the region's complex history.
For more information, see the full press release from Stanford University Libraries.
The CHS collection, now referred to as the California Historical Society Collection at Stanford, has been acquired in collaboration with the Bill Lane Center for the American West. The transfer was finalized in June of last year, allowing all of this valuable material to be housed at Stanford, where it will be accessible for research and educational purposes.
Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian at SUL, expressed the historical significance of this acquisition. He noted, “From its inception, the California Historical Society has focused on collecting and preserving the history of the West, amassing a remarkably rich and diverse array of archives over the years.”
The collection encompasses various formats including books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, and maps spanning approximately 16,000 linear feet. It features critical documents from pivotal historical events such as the California Gold Rush, the establishment of the state, as well as records of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. A unique part of this collection includes the archives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California dating back to the early 1900s.
Stanford historian Gordon H. Chang has already utilized resources from the CHS collection in his project on Chinese railroad workers in North America, discovering documents that shed light on aspects previously overlooked in railroad studies. His research highlights the deep connections between the CHS archives and Stanford’s existing collections regarding Asian American history, African American history, and Mexican American history.
Richard White, an emeritus professor of American history at Stanford, regards the CHS collection as one of the most precious yet underutilized resources in California. He believes the collection will enrich Stanford’s collections on the American West, filling crucial gaps in understanding the 19th and early 20th centuries of California’s history.
David M. Kennedy, another scholar involved in the acquisition, emphasized the strategic importance of bringing this collection to Stanford, stating it will position the university as a premier location for historical research focused on California and the broader North American West.
The California Historical Society's board considered various prestigious public and research institutions before choosing SUL, recognizing its solid infrastructure spanning twenty campus libraries and a knowledgeable team specializing in collections management, digitization, preservation, and technological development.
Jen Whitley, the interim CEO of the California Historical Society, remarked that the collaboration with SUL and the Bill Lane Center for the American West will continue to enhance the understanding of California and the surrounding regions.
As Richard Saller, Stanford’s twelfth president, pointed out, the integration of this collection aligns with Stanford’s fundamental mission of advancing research and education. He highlighted the timeliness of the collection in providing insights into historical trajectories over the past two centuries, making it a valuable resource in today’s context where historical perspectives are essential.
The California Historical Society Collection promises not only to support academic scholarship but also to engage the broader community with the rich tapestries of California's past. Access to these vast historical resources is now secured for future generations, ensuring that the stories and experiences of California’s diverse populations will continue to be explored and understood, fostering a deeper appreciation of the region's complex history.
For more information, see the full press release from Stanford University Libraries.
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