Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Provenance
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
Arrangement
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Louise Ward Watkins Papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssWatkins papers
Physical Description:
17 Linear Feet
(24 boxes, 40 volumes)
Date (inclusive): 1871-1974
Abstract: The collection consists of papers, diaries, and photographs related to the life and interests of California women's rights
activist Louise Ward Watkins (1890-1974) and her family. Subject matter in the collection includes California politics; Japan
and Japanese-American relations; her father, engineer George Clinton Ward (1863-1933); and the Watkins family.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Louise Ward Watkins Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Gift of John F. Watkins, February 4, 1975
A small group of letters purchased from Dawson's Book Shop in April 1953, was added to the collection (see Correspondence
series, Box 12, Folder 4).
Biographical Note
Louise Whipple Ward Watkins (1890-1974), a leader in women's rights, California politics, and Los Angeles organizations, came
to California from New York with her family when she was fifteen years old. Louise studied dramatics in New York and law at
the University of Southern California, and in 1915 she married Edward Francis Watkins. Louise Watkins was active in the cause
of woman suffrage, women's clubs, the Japan American Society, and Republican politics. She served on several state commissions,
founded the Southern California Republican Women (1935), and ran for the United States Senate in 1938
Scope and Content
The collection consists of letters, manuscripts (including 23 diaries, 1915-74), documents, 17 scrapbooks, and photographs
related to the life and interests of Louise Ward Watkins. Subject matter in the collection includes California politics; Japan
and her continuing interest in Japanese-American relations; her father, engineer George Clinton Ward (1863-1933); and the
Watkins family. There is also an unpublished autobiography of Louise Ward Watkins and ten pieces in the collection related
to Los Angeles Times columnist and politician John Steven McGroarty (1862-1944).
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
-
George Clinton Ward Papers
(Call number: mssWard papers)
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following series:
- Diaries
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts, addresses, broadcasts, poetry, etc.
- Photographs
- Mementos and scrapbooks
- Oversize materials
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women civic leaders -- California, Southern -- Archives
Women -- Political activity -- California -- History -- Sources
Women political activists -- California, Southern -- Archives
Women -- Suffrage -- California
Women's rights -- United States
California -- Politics and government -- 1850-1950
Japan -- Foreign relations -- United States
United States -- Foreign relations -- Japan
Diaries -- California
Family papers -- California
Letters (correspondence)
Scrapbooks -- California