Stanford University Libraries Take Charge of California Historical Society Collection
The Stanford University Libraries (SUL) have made a significant acquisition by taking over the management of the California Historical Society Collection (CHS). This remarkable collection comprises over 600,000 items documenting the history of California and the West, dating back to the 18th century. It was acquired through collaboration with the Bill Lane Center for the American West and will now be known as the California Historical Society Collection at Stanford. The collection will soon be made accessible to the public and academic community over the coming years.
This transition follows an agreement signed in June 2024, resulting in all materials being moved to Stanford. According to Michael A. Keller, the University Librarian at SUL, this collection will complement the archival materials already present at Stanford, becoming an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and the public interested in the historical narrative of the region.
From its inception, the California Historical Society has focused on gathering and preserving the history of the West. Over the years, it has amassed an extraordinarily rich and diverse archive that includes books, diaries, letters, postcards, maps, photographs, and newspapers. Keller remarked that these collections represent a vast, underutilized resource for historical research, education, and understanding the story of California and the Western region.
Spanning approximately 16,000 linear feet, the CHS collection is celebrated for the rarity and diversity of its materials. It stands out as one of California’s most significant local and state history collections. Among its notable historical artifacts are original materials related to pivotal events such as the Gold Rush, statehood, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Furthermore, it includes unique collections, such as records from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California dating back to the early 20th century.
Gordon H. Chang, a Stanford historian and Olive H. Palmer professor, has keen insights into the significance of having access to California's rich history. He noted that his research project on Chinese railroad workers in North America heavily utilized the CHS archive, uncovering material that had never before been explored by previous railroad scholars. "The depth of the CHS collection is striking," Chang stated, emphasizing its synergy with existing SUL funds on Asian American, African American, and Mexican American history, including documents from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance and records from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Richard White, an emeritus professor at Stanford and author, also recognizes the value of the CHS collection for his own academic work. He asserts, "The CHS collection is one of the most valuable and underutilized resources in California. It will enhance SUL's offerings on the American West and help fill the gaps in our understanding of 19th and early 20th century California. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to bring such an important archive to Stanford."
David M. Kennedy, the founding director of the Lane Center and an eminent history scholar, underscored that the acquisition would position Stanford as the leading research hub for California and North American West history. The CHS Board considered several prominent research and public institutions in California before concluding that SUL was the best choice for the stewardship and expansion of the CHS collection.
Jen Whitley, interim CEO of the CHS, commented on SUL’s robust infrastructure, which includes a network of twenty libraries across the Stanford campus and a knowledgeable team experienced in collection development, digitization, preservation, and technology advance.
Richard Saller, Stanford's twelfth president and Kleinheinz Family Professor of European Studies, articulated that the collection aligns with Stanford's core mission of research and education. He emphasized that in a time when historical perspectives are of utmost importance, the California Historical Society Collection will serve as a treasure trove of information on the long-term trajectories of the last two centuries.
With these developments, the California Historical Society Collection's future at Stanford looks promising, serving as a rich resource for scholars and the public to engage with the complex narratives of California's past.
This transition follows an agreement signed in June 2024, resulting in all materials being moved to Stanford. According to Michael A. Keller, the University Librarian at SUL, this collection will complement the archival materials already present at Stanford, becoming an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and the public interested in the historical narrative of the region.
From its inception, the California Historical Society has focused on gathering and preserving the history of the West. Over the years, it has amassed an extraordinarily rich and diverse archive that includes books, diaries, letters, postcards, maps, photographs, and newspapers. Keller remarked that these collections represent a vast, underutilized resource for historical research, education, and understanding the story of California and the Western region.
Spanning approximately 16,000 linear feet, the CHS collection is celebrated for the rarity and diversity of its materials. It stands out as one of California’s most significant local and state history collections. Among its notable historical artifacts are original materials related to pivotal events such as the Gold Rush, statehood, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Furthermore, it includes unique collections, such as records from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California dating back to the early 20th century.
Gordon H. Chang, a Stanford historian and Olive H. Palmer professor, has keen insights into the significance of having access to California's rich history. He noted that his research project on Chinese railroad workers in North America heavily utilized the CHS archive, uncovering material that had never before been explored by previous railroad scholars. "The depth of the CHS collection is striking," Chang stated, emphasizing its synergy with existing SUL funds on Asian American, African American, and Mexican American history, including documents from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance and records from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Richard White, an emeritus professor at Stanford and author, also recognizes the value of the CHS collection for his own academic work. He asserts, "The CHS collection is one of the most valuable and underutilized resources in California. It will enhance SUL's offerings on the American West and help fill the gaps in our understanding of 19th and early 20th century California. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to bring such an important archive to Stanford."
David M. Kennedy, the founding director of the Lane Center and an eminent history scholar, underscored that the acquisition would position Stanford as the leading research hub for California and North American West history. The CHS Board considered several prominent research and public institutions in California before concluding that SUL was the best choice for the stewardship and expansion of the CHS collection.
Jen Whitley, interim CEO of the CHS, commented on SUL’s robust infrastructure, which includes a network of twenty libraries across the Stanford campus and a knowledgeable team experienced in collection development, digitization, preservation, and technology advance.
Richard Saller, Stanford's twelfth president and Kleinheinz Family Professor of European Studies, articulated that the collection aligns with Stanford's core mission of research and education. He emphasized that in a time when historical perspectives are of utmost importance, the California Historical Society Collection will serve as a treasure trove of information on the long-term trajectories of the last two centuries.
With these developments, the California Historical Society Collection's future at Stanford looks promising, serving as a rich resource for scholars and the public to engage with the complex narratives of California's past.
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