Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Watkins, (Louise Ward) Papers
mssWatkins papers  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • 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

    1. George Clinton Ward Papers   (Call number: mssWard papers)

    Arrangement

    The collection is arranged in the following series:
    1. Diaries
    2. Correspondence
    3. Manuscripts, addresses, broadcasts, poetry, etc.
    4. Photographs
    5. Mementos and scrapbooks
    6. 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