Finding Aid for the Helen Matthewson Club records UARC.0442
Finding aid prepared by University Archives staff, 1991; revised by Katharine A. Lawrie, 2013; revised and expanded by Lori
Dedeyan, 2019.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated 2019 June 3.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
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
Series 1.
Administrative files
1936-2009
Scope and Contents
This series contains the administrative files of the Helen Matthewson Club, which include minutes of Board of Directors' meetings,
financial documents, member bulletins, articles and bylaws, and documents relating to the establishment of the Laughlin Residential
Suites, Levering House, and the Helen Matthewson Club Scholarship Fund.
box 1, folder 2-6
Minutes and bulletins
1938-1971
box 2, folder 1-5
Minutes and bulletins
1972-2009
box 2, folder 6
Minutes and bulletins, trust and incorporation documents
1952-1978
box 2, folder 7
Articles of incorporation and bylaws
1939-1967
box 2, folder 8
Financial documents
1961-1968
box 2, folder 9
Laughlin Residential Suites
1976-1981
box 3, folder 2
Scholarship Fund
1950-1986
Series 2.
Programs and publications
1911-2008
Scope and Contents
This series includes programs for HMC annual breakfasts; newsletters; songbooks; and notes, drafts, and research materials
for various histories of the club, which include photographs, administrative documents, and promotional materials. Included
are two copies of a comprehensive, nine-volume history of the club. Each copy is hand bound and content varies slightly.
box 3, folder 3
Annual HMC Breakfast programs for 10th and 25th anniversaries
1934, 1949
box 3, folder 4-7
Annual HMC Breakfast programs
1940-1979
box 3, folder 8
Annual HMC Breakfast invitations
1971-1973
box 4, folder 1
Annual HMC Breakfast programs
1980-1987
box 4, folder 2
Annual HMC Breakfast programs
1990-2008
box 4, folder 5-6
Keynotes (newsletter)
1995-2008
box 4, folder 8
HMC History book: correspondence and outlines
1986-1989
box 5, folder 1
HMC History book: essays and histories
undated
box 5, folder 2
HMC History book: member autobiographies
undated
box 5, folder 3
HMC History book: photographs
circa 1923-1957, 2008
box 5, folder 4
HMC History book: club documents and articles
1911-1986
box 5, folder 5-6
HMC History book: Phenix Club documents and merger with Helen Matthewson Club
1948-1966
box 5, folder 7
HMC History book: first draft of Book One and Book Two
circa 1986
box 5, folder 8
HMC History book: first draft of Book Three
circa 1986
box 6, folder 1-2
HMC History book: first draft of Book Four
circa 1986
box 6, folder 3
HMC History book: second draft
circa 1986
box 6, folder 4
HMC History book: second draft of Book Four
circa 1986
box 6, folder 5
HMC History book: draft of Book Six
circa 1986
box 7, folder 1
HMC History book: loose pages
circa 1986
box 7, folder 2
HMC History book: Book One, Book Two, Book Three
circa 1986
box 7, folder 3
HMC History book: Book Four
circa 1986
box 7, folder 4
HMC History book: Book Five
circa 1986
box 8, folder 1
HMC History book: Books Six to Nine
circa 1986
box 9, folder 1
HMC History book: Book One, Book Two, Book Three (second copy)
circa 1986
box 8, folder 2
HMC History book: Book Four (second copy)
circa 1986
box 8, folder 3
HMC History book: Books Five to Nine (second copy)
circa 1986
box 9, folder 2-3
History of the Helen Matthewson Club at UCLA
circa 1989
Series 3.
Scrapbooks and portrait
1933-1961
Scope and Contents
This series contains scrapbooks of club life and activities, compiled by various members, and a framed pastel portrait of
Helen Matthewson Laughlin. Scrapbooks include photographs, clippings, programs, and other club documents.
box 11
Scrapbook: Tribute to Helen Matthewson Laughlin
1946
box 12
Scrapbook of Sally Crooks Baldwin
1952-1953
item 1
Portrait of Helen Matthewson Laughlin
1961
Series 4.
Audio recordings
1959, undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains audio recordings of club music, a speech by Helen Matthewson Laughlin, and an oral history of Helen Matthewson
Laughlin.
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.
box 10, folder 4
Oral history of Dean Helen Matthewson Laughlin
undated
Scope and Content
One audiocassette of an oral history conducted by Garnet McBride and Augusta Thompson.
box 10, folder 5
Last speech of Dean Helen Matthewson Laughlin to club
1959 December 6
Scope and Content
One reel of 1/4 inch audiotape and two audiocassettes. One audiocassette includes labels "Breakfast Skit," "Hail to blue
and gold," "fireside memories," and "beloved."
box 10, folder 6
HMC music
undated
Scope and Content
Two audiocassettes.