Finding aid to the Grace Miller Papers, 1926-1979 (bulk 1941-1965)
GLC 69
Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
2012
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
Title: Grace Miller Papers
Creator:
Miller, Grace
Identifier/Call Number: GLC 69
Physical Description:
2 document cases + 1 flat box
(1.5 Cubic Feet)
Date (inclusive): 1926-1979
Date (bulk): 1941-1965
Abstract: The collection documents the life of Grace Miller through correspondence, subject files, photographs and negatives, and a
scrapbook. Miller was a co-owner and bartender at two lesbian bars in San Francisco. As a result of serving underage patrons,
she was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 1955. The scrapbook contains the newspaper coverage of
her arrest and trial.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is open for research. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.
Photographs have been transferred to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection. They are available for research during
the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection hours.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Grace Miller Papers (GLC 69), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Acquired December 29, 2011.
Biographical note
Grace Marie Miller was born in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana on November 1, 1918. She was the first child of Anthony
Iven [Ivan] Miller (9/28/1892-9/15/1959) and Norma Portman. The family moved to San Francisco in the early 1920s. Grace worked
several jobs but was best known as a co-owner and bartender at 12 Adler Place and Tommy's Place, both lesbian bars.
Scope and Contents
The collection documents the life of Grace Miller through correspondence, subject files, photographs and negatives, and a
scrapbook. Miller was a co-owner and bartender at two lesbian bars in San Francisco, Tommy's Place and 12 Adler Place. Of
particular note are lesbian club announcements from the 1950s-1960s, and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings (1954-1955) that
document a police raid on Tommy's Place and Miller's arrest and trial for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The
photographs span the years from Miller's childhood through middle age. Some of the images from the 1950s are of bars where
Grace Miller worked, possibly Tommy's Place, and a club with singers and accompanists. There are many house party photos from
the late 1950s and 1960s; they include images of butch and femme lesbians, some men (presumably gay), and many cats.
Arrangement note
The material is arranged in four series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Subject Files; Series 3. Photographs and Negatives;
and Series 4. Scrapbook.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Lesbian bars -- California -- San Francisco.
Lesbians -- California -- San Francisco -- Social life and customs -- 20th century.
Lesbians -- Social life and customs.
Miller, Grace -- Archives
van de Veer, Joyce
Series 1
Correspondence,
1941-1954, undated
Physical Description:
26 folders
Scope and Contents
The correspondence series includes letters from friends writing about upcoming visits, mutual friends, and searching for jobs,
among other subjects. There are several letters from one friend Kathy who wrote suicide notes which are addressed to several
people, including one to "Mama and Dad," regarding her state of mind and where to give her records and other items. There
are a few romantic letters.
Arrangement note
Folders are arranged chronologically. Undated folders appear at the end and are arranged alphabetically.
box 1, folder 1
Marianne, Stockton, CA to "Bridget" Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
April 11, 1941
box 1, folder 2
[Helmlock?], San Francisco, CA to "Bridget" Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
May 13, 1941
box 1, folder 3
[Daze?], Amarillo/Albuquerque to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
March 10, 1941
box 1, folder 4
Merida, San Francisco, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
August-October 1942
box 1, folder 5
Merida to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
September 18+, 1942
box 1, folder 6
Suicide notes from Kathy [Kathleen Moore Asher] to "Bird" Grace Miller, Moma and Daddy, Warren ("C.E."), Myrt
1946, 1953
General note
Also obituary for Wilma Swarts "Willie" of Mona's and Tommy's (1953); also clips of nurses' graduation.
box 1, folder 7
Kathy [Kathleen Moore Asher?], Glendale, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
July 20, 1947
box 1, folder 8
Kathy [Kathleen Moore Asher?], Los Angeles, CA to "Bird" Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
July 20, 1947 postmark
box 1, folder 9
M. V. Miller (step-mother), Santa Rosa, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
August 26, 1948
box 1, folder 10
Wedding invitation for Eleanor Mae Grant to Rodney Andrew McGuire on May 26, 1950
May 10, 1950 postmark
box 1, folder 11
Bobbie [Matthews?], Cleveland, OH to Gracie Miller, San Francisco, CA
June 18, 1953
General note
Also addressed to "Gen, Frenchie, Aggie, etc."
box 1, folder 12
Virginia, Los Angeles, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
December 16, 1953
box 1, folder 13
Marian and Phill, Los Angeles, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
December 17, 1953 postmark
box 1, folder 14
K. Gerdel, Hollywood, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
January 6, 1954
box 1, folder 15
K. Gerdel, Hollywood, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
January 10, 1954
box 1, folder 16
K. Gerdel, Hollywood, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
January 18, 1954
box 1, folder 17
Patty, Twenty-nine Palms, CA to "Dad" Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
April 5, 1954
box 1, folder 18
Bobbie Matthews, Hollywood, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
May 1, 1954
box 1, folder 19
Bobbie [Matthews], Chicago, IL to Gracie Miller c/o Tommy's, San Francisco, CA
June 25, 1954
box 1, folder 20
Eleanor McGuire, Anchorage, AK to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
July 20, 1954
box 1, folder 21
Mrs. H. Waelde, Cleveland, OH to Miss Marian Waelde c/o Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
September 15, 1954
box 1, folder 22
Mrs. Frank B. North, San Francisco, CA to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
September 24, 1954
box 1, folder 23
Lana, New York, NY to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA
September 25, 1954
box 1, folder 24
Birthday card to Grace Miller, San Francisco, CA from "Dad and M.V." Miller, Santa Rosa, CA
[October 30, 1954 postmark]
box 1, folder 25
"Danny" to "My precious darling" and to "My darling" (2 items)
Undated
box 1, folder 26
"Merida" [to Grace Miller?]
Undated
Series 2
Subject Files,
1926-[1965?]
(bulk 1942-1954)
Physical Description:
14 folders
Scope and Contents
The subject files series contains announcements for several lesbian clubs in the 1950s and early 1960s, a copy of Miller's
birth certificate, documents relating to her employment, including tax returns with a record of her work for those years,
and an obituary for her step-mother Mary Victoria Miller. The series also includes a program for a Lotte Lehmann concert,
documents relating to Miller's car, a poem, notes on anemia and love, and a list of long-playing phonographs albums.
Arrangement note
The series is arranged alphabetically by title.
box 1, folder 27
Birth certificate (copy) for Grace Marie Miller (born November 1, 1918)
February 8, 1926
General note
Copy of birth certificate made on February 8, 1926.
box 1, folder 29
Car: Parking tickets
1954
box 1, folder 30
Car: Traffic accident
1953
box 1, folder 31
Club announcements
1950-[1965?], undated
Physical Description:
12 items
General note
Clubs include: Beige Room (2 items: 1954), Tommy's Place (2 items: [1952], 1953), Club Chi Chi (1 item: 1954), Ann's 440 Club
(3 items: 1953 (2), undated), Tower Café (2 items: 1960, [1965?]), Mona's Candlelite/Candlelight (2 items: 1950, undated).
box 1, folder 32
Employment. War Department. Report of Field Personnel Action
November 14, 1942
General note
Re: Grace Miller resignation as Ward Attendant at Letterman General Hospital (served 1940-1942).
box 1, folder 33
Employment. Working card for Grace Miller. Amalgamated Association of Street Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employees of
America, Div. No. 1004 (San Francisco, CA)
August 1943
box 1, folder 34
Employment. Tax documents
1945-1954
General note
Notes work for Hale Bros., the Municipal Railway, Harmony Radio, and Tommy's.
box 1, folder 35
Employment. Civil Service Commission of San Francisco
May 13, 1949
General note
Notice of Grace Miller's results for "220 Woman Protective Officer" examination.
box 1, folder 36
List of long-playing phonograph record albums, by maker and size
Undated
General note
Possibly a list of Kathy Moore Asher's phonograph albums? See Asher correspondence in Box 1/Folder 6.
box 1, folder 37
[Notes on anemia and on how much someone loves another]
Undated
box 1, folder 38
Obituary for Mary Victoria Miller (step-mother)
April 4, 1958
box 1, folder 39
[Poem signed "Shirley"]
undated
box 1, folder 40
Program: Lotte Lehmann…recital of lieder…texts of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe…University of California, Wheeler Auditorium,
Berkeley
October 24, 1949
Series 3
Photographs,
1946-1979, undated
(bulk 1946-1962)
Physical Description:
46 folders
Scope and Contents
The series contains many images of house parties attended by butch and femme lesbians and gay men; these date from the 1950s
and 1960s. Two folders contain photos of Miller, Joyce van de Veer and others at a bar, with some images of singers and pianists.
There are also some undated photographs of Grace as a child, and of family and friends through the years. There is a signed
photo portrait of Kay Karal, and numerous images of friends Betty and Bobbie.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically with undated photographs at the end. Undated folders are arranged alphabetically by title.
box 2, folder 1
"Betty" [vacation, Maine?]
August 1946
Physical Description: 9 photos
box 2, folder 2
[Betty]
[1946?/1947?]
Physical Description: 12 photos
box 2, folder 3
[Betty et al.]
August 1947
Physical Description: 24 photos + negatives
box 2, folder 4
Grace [Candlebury?]
August 2, 1948
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 5
[Lake Austin?]
June 1949
Physical Description: 6 photos
box 2, folder 6
Bobbie [Matthews?]. "My best to you always. Love, Bobbie"
July 7, 1950
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 7
Grace Miller and friend sitting at a bar
October 1, 1951
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 8
Nightclub / Bar
1952-1953
Physical Description: 17 photos
General note
Includes Grace Miller, Joyce Van de Veer, possibly Jean Sullivan?, singers and accompanists.
box 2, folder 9
"Yolando and Her Slaves (Daph)"
[1954?]
Physical Description: 1 photo
General note
Includes Grace Miller, and Joyce van de Veer?
box 2, folder 10
Cats
1956, 1964-1965
Physical Description: 12 photos + negatives
box 2, folder 11
Unidentified woman in bathing suit
1957
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 12
[Family and children of friends]
1957-1962
Physical Description: 6 photos
General note
Includes "Kenneth George Grant (born 7/2/1962)" and "Andrew 18 mos."
box 2, folder 13
House party
February 1959
Physical Description: 11 photos and negatives
General note
Includes Grace, Joyce, et al., cats.
box 2, folder 14
[House party]
March 1959
Physical Description: 21 photos + some negatives
General note
Some printed 1962.
box 2, folder 15
[House party]
May 1959
Physical Description: 3 photos
box 2, folder 16
Carmel, California; Santa Cruz, California
July 1959
Physical Description: 8 photos
box 2, folder 17
[House party]
November 1959
Physical Description: 11 photos + some negatives
box 2, folder 18
Kay Karal? portrait by Romaine
[195-?]
Physical Description: 1 photo
General note
Inscribed to Grace.
box 2, folder 19
[Cats, Christmas]
March 1960
Physical Description: 7 photos + negatives
box 2, folder 20
"Party"
April 1960
Physical Description: 5 photos and negatives
box 2, folder 21
[Friends, cats]
May 1960
Physical Description: 7 photos and 8 negatives
box 2, folder 22
[Cats, house, girlfriend?]
July 1960
Physical Description: 6 photos
box 2, folder 23
Grace Miller with cats
August 1960
Physical Description: 3 photos
box 2, folder 24
Grace Miller
October 1960
Physical Description: 2 photos
box 2, folder 25
[House party]
November 1961
Physical Description: 13 photos + negatives
box 2, folder 26
Lake Austin, Austin, Texas. "On Lake Austin with 'The Girls' and my boat 'The Fancy'"
July 1962
Physical Description: 4 photos
box 2, folder 27
Unidentified woman
1962-1963
Physical Description: 2 photos
box 2, folder 28
"'Margo' at the Coffee Service Open House"
May 4, 1963
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 29
"Fancy and Me in the Living Room" [Margo]
July 1963
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 30
"Christmas"
December 1963/1964
Physical Description: 8 photos and some negatives
box 2, folder 31
Grace Miller
October 31, 1964 or 1965
box 2, folder 32
Christmas
[1977?]
Physical Description: 16 photos and negatives
box 2, folder 33
[8 photos sent to Miss J.E. Davies, San Francisco, CA]
1979
General note
Note reads: "Dag will return negatives to you later..."
box 2, folder 34
Debra "Debbie" Vincenti (Petaluma, CA) to Grace Miller and Dagman Johnson. Photos of Debbie's daughter Judy
1979
box 2, folder 35
[Baby photo]
Undated
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 36
[Bobbie Matthews?]
Undated
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 37
Bobbie [Matthews?]. "To the best friend I know. All my love, Bobbie"
Undated
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 38
"Charles Fredericks. How about That!"
Undated
Physical Description: 8 photos
box 2, folder 39
Family. "Auntie and Grace Marie," "Also at wading pool"
Undated
Physical Description: 2 photos
box 2, folder 40
[Family?, children]
Undated
Physical Description: negatives
box 2, folder 41
Grace Miller
Undated
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 42
[Interior of bar, includes Grace Miller, Joyce van de Veer]
Undated
Physical Description: 10 photos
box 2, folder 43
Joyce van de Veer
Undated
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 44
[Man in front of car]
Undated
Physical Description: 1 photo
box 2, folder 45-46
Unidentified photos and negatives
Undated
box 3
Series 4
Scrapbook,
1954-1955
Physical Description:
1 scrapbook in box.
Scope and Contents
The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings from 1954-1955 that document the police raid on Tommy's Place and the arrest and
trial of Grace Miller and Joyce van de Veer. Their lawyer was Robert Cort. On September 9, 1954 Grace Miller and Joyce van
de Veer were arrested for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Bars they owned, 12 Adler Place and Tommy's Place (529
Broadway), were reportedly the rendezvous point for teen-age girls to gain access to alcohol, marijuana, and to meet older
men and women. Later clippings concern the sentencing of Grace Miller to two consecutive jail terms (two 6-month sentences
to run concurrently). The scrapbook also includes a letter to "Gracie" from many friends bemoaning her unfair treatment.
