Description
This collection comprises Salomon's papers, documents and photographs, from his birth in 1897 to his death in 1979. Box one
contains material covering his personal life, family genealogy, World War I, the PACT Farm for boys, his Royal Metal Manufacturing
Company, his service during World War II, his books, correspondence and observations; travels, work for the United Nations
and philanthropy. Box two contains diaries, passports, political and military ephemera and artifacts, magazine articles about
him and books he wrote.
Background
Originally from Chicago, Irving Salomon served in WWI and then became an industrialist in Chicago and Indiana. His Royal Metal
Manufacturing Company invented and produced the first metal folding chair. In Indiana, he was the founder and benefactor of
PACT Farm, providing a learning, working and living environment for disadvantaged boys. During World War II, he achieved the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel, but was known as Colonel Salomon. After the war he and his wife, Cecile came to San Diego with
their daughter Abbe. Cecile was a classical pianist who composed Jewish liturgical music. The Salomons were important philanthropists,
providing funds for many and diverse projects. Salomon was very involved in San Diego Boys' Club and funded numerous projects
for children and young adults. He received a knighthood from the Pope for his work with Catholic charities. Very involved
with politics on a national level, he called Eleanor Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower his friends. In 1953 President Eisenhower
appointed him to a position at the United Nations. The Salomons entertained many notables, both political and theatrical at
their Lilac Ranch in Valley Center, California. In the 1960's Salomon founded the local chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
Salomon was also an author and world traveler. Their daughter, attorney Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz was a former San Diego City
Council member, law professor and deputy city attorney. (See the Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz Collection).
Restrictions
The copyright interests in some of these materials have been transferred to or belong to San Diego State University. The nature
of historical archival and manuscript collections means that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.
Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish
must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted,
permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are
made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the
materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Availability
This collection is open for research.