Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Processing Information
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Administrative/ Biographical History
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Separated Materials
Related Materials
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Helen Matthewson Club records
Creator:
Helen Matthewson Club
Identifier/Call Number: UARC.0442
Physical Description:
4.8 Linear Feet
(10 boxes, 2 flat boxes)
Physical Description:
6 sound_recordings
(5 unprocessed audiocassettes and 1 unprocessed reel of 1/4 inch audiotape)
Date (inclusive): 1911-2009
Abstract: The Helen Matthewson Club was a living cooperative for UCLA university women, established in 1923 by Dean of Women Helen Matthewson
Laughlin. This record series contains the administrative files of the club; event programs and publications, including drafts,
research materials, and the final version of an official history of the club, written by its members; scrapbooks and photographs;
and audio recordings of Dean Helen Matthewson Laughlin.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Physical Location: Portions of the collection stored off-site. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. All requests to access
special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library Special Collections. The library can grant
permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. Commercial use may require additional rights that must
be determined and obtained by the researcher. All requests for copyright permission to publish must be submitted in writing
to Library Special Collections. Credit shall be given as follows: The Regents of the University of California on behalf of
the UCLA Library Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Helen Matthewson Club records (University Archives Record Series 442). UCLA Library Special Collections,
University Archives, University of California, Los Angeles.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of HMC Alumnae, 1989, 2008, 2010.
Processing Information
Collections are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user
interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides
a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive
processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.
Processed by University Archives staff, 1991; further processing by Katharine A. Lawrie, 2013; materials further arranged,
described, and additional materials integrated by Lori Dedeyan, 2019.
Record series 442 includes the contents of former University Archives record series numbers 443 (History Notebooks), 444 (Minutes
of meetings), 445 (Scrapbooks), and 446 (Subject files), which were retired after their contents were merged into this record
series in April 2019.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Administrative/ Biographical History
Helen Matthewson Laughlin (1881-1960) served as the Los Angeles State Normal School Dean of Women (1911-1919) and the UCLA
Dean of Women (1919-1946). The Helen Matthewson Club (HMC) was established in the fall of 1923 by Dean of Women Helen Matthewson
Laughlin as a living cooperative where self-supporting University women could enjoy the companionship of others, obtain adequate
housing at a fair price, and serve the school and community. The HMC was initially located at Oakwood House near the Vermont
Avenue campus of the University of California Southern Branch (UCLA). With the Fall 1929 opening of UCLA's Westwood campus,
the HMC relocated to a new home at 900 Hilgard Ave.
On June 30, 1950 the HMC house at 900 Hilgard Ave. was dissolved and the property used for a new UCLA religious center. With
the help of the Helen Matthewson Club Alumnae (HMCA) the remaining HMC active members joined the Phenix [sic] Club in Santa
Monica. In 1954 the Phenix Club formally merged with the HMC. In 1957 the HMC acquired a house at 820 Levering Avenue. As
a result of decreasing membership, the Levering Avenue house closed in 1965. In the same year, the Helen Matthewson Memorial
Scholarship fund was established and administered by the Helen Matthewson Club Alumnae (HMCA).
Scope and Contents
This record series contains the administrative files of the Helen Matthewson Club, including minutes, articles and bylaws,
budgets and finances, and materials relating to its merger with the Phenix [sic] Club; event programs and publications produced
by members of the club, including an official club history; scrapbooks assembled by club members, which include photographs,
clippings, and club documents; and audio recordings of Dean Helen Matthewson Laughlin and club songs.
Arrangement
This record series has been arranged into the following series:
- Series 1: Administrative files, 1936-2009
- Series 2: Programs and publications, 1911-2008
- Series 3: Scrapbooks and portrait, 1933-1961
- Series 4: Audio recordings, 1959, undated
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED AUDIO MATERIALS: Materials will require assessment and may need further processing for safe access. All
requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Separated Materials
Dishes, tableware, and a seal press belonging to the club have been returned to donors.
Related Materials
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women -- Societies and clubs -- Archives
Women in cooperative societies -- California
Women college students -- California
Helen Matthewson Club -- Archives