Southwest Museum diorama correspondence, notes, and sketches Series 1:
circa 1925-1942
Scope and Contents
Most of the sketches in this series were created by Mason, however there are three pen sketches created in 1939, signed by
Myrtle G. McIntyre. Although most of the sketches and notes are undated, they were presumably created or collected between
the years Mason worked on the dioramas, circa 1925 to 1942.
box 1, folders 1-2
Notes and sketches
undated
box 1, folder 3
Notes on Native basketweavers
undated
box 1, folder 4
Correspondence related to dioramas in the Southwest Museum Poole Wing
1939-1942
Administrative History note
The Caroline Boeing Poole Basketry Wing of the Southwest Museum opened in 1942 October 27.
box 1, folder 7
"An Archaeological Artist" by Anna Belle Rood Ittner
circa 1931
Existence and Location of Originals
Clipping of article in Folder 52 of this collection.
Scope and Contents
This is a typed transcription of an article about Mason's dioramas. The article was published in the
Los Angeles Times magazine, 1931 January 1.
box 5, folders 49-51
John Peabody Harrington correspondence
1923-1928
Scope and Contents
This group of folders includes 32 letters from John Peabody Harrington to Elizabeth Mason. Also included in Folder 50 are
three copies of the poem "The Turquoise Vender," and in Folder 51, one untitled poem that begins "Foolish the mind which thinks
to be."
box 6, folder 53
Correspondence related to dioramas
1939-1942
Scope and Contents
Most of the correspondence is between Mark Raymond Harrington and Mason. This folder also includes notes by Mason and three
pen sketches created in 1939 and signed by Myrtle G. McIntyre.
Personal papers Series 2:
1893-1953
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence and newspaper clippings regarding Hoffman Loggia plaque
1926-1932
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence, poems, and other material
circa 1935-1953
Scope and Contents
This folders also includes Mason's "Work Assignment Card" for the Emergency Education Program, dated 1935. One of the letters
is dated 1933 and another 1949. The rest of the material is undated, but was most likely created some time between the 1930s
and 1953.
box 2, folder 21
Notes on the Portola Expedition
undated
Scope and Contents
This is a compilation of Mason's research notes about the Portola Expedition that includes passages from published work, a
bibliography, timeline, and list of subject headings.
box 3, folder 34
Historical and geological data on California
undated
box 3, folder 35
Documents for "Eighteen Years Alone" by Emma Chamberlain Hardacre
1950
Publication Note
"Eighteen years alone : a tale of the Pacific," by Emma C. Hardacre was first published in
Scribner's Magazine, 1880. The story was reprinted in 1950 by Schauer Printing Studio, Incorporated in Santa Barbara, California. Copyright was
retained by Elizabeth Mason in 1950.
Scope and Contents
This folder relates to Mason's request to obtain copyright for this publication. It also includes a copy of the publication,
image clipping of Hardacre, and oral interviews related to the "Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island," which is the topic of Hardacre's
book.
Biographical Note
Emma Chamberlain Hardacre was the aunt of Elizabeth Mason.
box 6, folder 52
Newspaper clippings related to Mason's artwork
1930-1935
Scope and Contents
This folder also includes a sketch related to the plaque located at the Los Angeles Harbor Breakwater.
box 6, folder 54
Correspondence, image clippings, and other material
1909-1953
Scope and Contents
This folder also includes financial documents and ephemera pieces.
box 6
Scrapbook
1893-1953
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook consist of newspaper clippings from the
Santa Barbara News-Press. The articles - some of which are illustrated with images originally from the Santa Barbara Historical Society files - are
written by Mason and relate to Santa Barbara history. Correspondence sent to Mason from family members and friends are also
included in this scrapbook.
box 6
Notary Public embosser
undated
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
Imprint on embosser: "Elizabeth Mason, Notary Public, Santa Barbar Co. Cal."
Manuscripts by Mason Series 3:
circa 1920s to 1953
Scope and Contents
This series includes non-fictional and fictional manuscripts by Elizabeth Mason. Manuscripts are undated. Most of the titles
are supplied by Mason. Untitled stories include a brief description of the subject.
box 1, folder 8
"Coasting Down California"
box 1, folder 11
"Fiesta"
Scope and Contents
This story is about the La Fiesta de Los Angeles parade and is accompanied with photographs.
folder 22, box OS MS Box 2
Untitled story about a ranch
box 3, folder 23
Untitled story about a priest
box 3, folder 28
"Bearskin Tommy of Used-to-be Land"
box 3, folder 29
"Just Ma"
Scope and Contents
Also includes a synopsis of the story.
box 3, folder 30
Untitled story about an elderly woman during the Depression
box 3, folder 31
Untitled story about a wounded man in World War II
box 3, folder 37
"Origin and History of the Names of the streets in the city of Santa Barbara, California"
Transcriptions or manuscripts by other authors Series 4:
circa 1920s to 1953
Scope and Contents
The material included in this series predominately consists of typed transcriptions of published works by different authors.
The transcriptions were created by Mason and some include her handwritten notes. Compiled excerpts pertaining to a particular
subject are also included. The dates of creation for the transcriptions are unknown. The original publication date of the
works transcribed range from the late 1800s to the 1920s.
Also included in this series are manuscripts by other authors created some time during the 20th century.
The date of creation for the transcriptions and manuscripts are undated unless otherwise noted.
box 1, folder 12
Manuscripts by other authors
Scope and Contents
This folder includes nine manuscripts, most of which are undated.
Dated documents consist of one handwritten lecture on John C. Fremont presented to the California Historical Society Vroman's
Club, 1908 April 11 and a lecture read to the Santa Barbara City Club, 1934 May 7 by Jennie Kimberly.
Other manuscripts in this folder relate to Santa Barbara history, the Aztec Calendar, the Santa Ynez Range, and World War
II efforts among Native American communities.
box 2, folders 13-15
Miscellaneous excerpts
Creator: Mason, Elizabeth
Scope and Contents
These excerpts relate to published works about early Spanish explorers and California history. Also included are excerpts
on Native American tribes (especially California Indians), "aboriginal cooking," and ethnobotany.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Transcripts
Pencil sketches
Correspondence
Clippings
Indians of North America -- Social life and customs
Santa Barbara (Calif.)
Manuscripts
Dioramas
Indians of North America -- Study and teaching
Harrington, John Peabody
Southwest Museum (Los Angeles, Calif.)
box 2, folder 16
"The Origins of Cultivated Plants; Foods Indigenous to the Americas"
1940 July - August
Scope and Contents
This includes material compiled in 1940 from July to August and consists of works originally published from 1859 to 1931.
box 2, folder 17
Pedro Fages "A Historical, Political & Natural Description of California"
Scope and Contents
This folder includes two copies hand-bound in cardboard. The copies were made from a document originally created in 1770.
box 2, folders 18-20
Excerpts from
Pathfinders by Robert Glass Cleland
Scope and Contents
Includes excerpts related to the accounts of Spanish explorers Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, Sebastian Rodriguez Cermeno, and Pedro
de Unamuno.
box 3, folder 22
Typed copy of excerpt from "The Flora of Prehistoric California"
box 3, folder 33
"Prehistoric California"
undated
box 3, folder 38
Excerpts from the
North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis
Scope and Contents
These excerpts only relate to the Taos "character and history."
box 3, folder 40
"Felt" by Eleanor M. Rugh
undated
Scope and Contents
This publication is about felt fabric and was written for the Industrial Arts Coop Services in New York City, New York. It
is undated, however, the bibliography at the end of this publication list works no later than 1932.
box 3, folder 41
Excerpts related to California history
box 3, folder 42
Excerpts from
The Early Days of Santa Barbara, California by Walter A. Hawley
box 4, folder 43
Indianology of California by Alex S. Taylor
Physical Description: 5 notebooks
box 4, folder 44
"An Outline of the History of Communication"
box 5, folders 45-46
"An Examination of Some of the Early Voyages of Discover & Exploration on the Northwest Coast of America from 1539 - 1603"
box 5, folder 47
Spanish and Indian Place Names of California by Nellie Van de Grift Sanchez
box 5, folder 48
"The Indian Woman of San Nicolas" by George Nidever