Finding aid to the Elizabeth Mason Papers MS.205
Maritxu de Alaiza; Anna Liza Posas
Library and Archives at the Autry
2013
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Elizabeth Mason Papers
Creator:
Mason, Elizabeth
Identifier/Call Number: MS.205
Physical Description:
3 Linear Feet
(6 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1893-1953
Abstract: Elizabeth Mason (1880-1953) was a sculptor, writer, jewelry maker, and Santa Barbara historian. At the Southwest Museum, Mason
created 28 dioramas of Native American life which adorned the Museum's entrance hall and Poole Wing. This collection consists
of correspondence, sketches, research notes, transcriptions of published material, manuscripts, and personal documents collected
or created by Elizabeth Mason. The material in this collection was created between 1893 to 1953.
Language of Material:
English
.
Preferred Citation
Elizabeth Mason Papers, 1893-1953, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.205; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Conditions Governing Access
Processing History
Inventory and initial processing completed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Biographical note created by Maritxu de Alaiza,
2012 April 12. Finding aid completed by Anna Liza Posas, 2013. Final processing of collection and publication of finding aid
made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
- Series 1: Southwest Museum diorama correspondence, notes, and sketches, circa 1925-1942
- Series 2: Personal papers, 1893-1953
- Series 3: Manuscripts by Mason, circa 1920s to 1953
- Series 4: Transcriptions or manuscripts by other authors, circa 1920s to 1953
- Series 5: Photographs, circa 1914-1945
Biographical Note
Elizabeth Mason (1880 June 8 - 1953 June 13) was born in Jacksonville, Illinois. After Mason's birth, her family spent a year
in Santa Barbara, California due to her mother's poor health before moving to Denver, Colorado. In 1921, the family returned
to Santa Barbara.
Mason studied at both the New York School of Design and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. After her schooling she
worked in Colorado overseeing the Craftwood Shops in Manitou and the Mahon Jewelry Store in Colorado Springs. She also studied
automobile mechanics during World War I.
Following the war she was sent to Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver where she oversaw the craft shop and worked as a
vocational therapist for two years.
At one point she moved back to Santa Barbara where she worked as an educator for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal
Art Project; an office worker at the Santa Barbara College Hospital; and curator of the Santa Barbara Historical Society.
She also became known as a historian of the Santa Barbara area.
Mason was a writer of both fiction and non-fiction works. She is credited for writing the essay "Origin and History of Names
of the Streets in the City of Santa Barbara, California."
Circa 1925, Mason was hired to create dioramas for the Southwest Museum's entrance tunnel and the Poole Wing. Of the 37 dioramas
that were on permanent display in the Museum, 28 were created by Mason. The other dioramas, all created before Mason's tenure,
were done by Adelaide Chamberlain, Assistant Curator in Archaeology and Ethnology, and Margaret Rose Tew, who was hired as
the Museum's sculptor.
Per the 1925 Southwest Museum Annual Report, "it was deemed advisable, in the interests of economy, to negotiate for additional
groups on the contract basis." Therefore Mason was eventually hired to replace Tew and complete the work on the dioramas for
the price of $175 each.
The first of Mason's dioramas was completed in 1929 and the final one was finished in 1942. To render accurate scenes for
her dioramas, Mason consulted exhaustively with John Peabody Harrington, an ethnographer and linguist at the Southwest Museum,
and Mark Raymond Harrington (no relation to J.P. Harrington), the Museum's curator.
John Peabody Harrington went so far as to pose, dressed in a grass skirt, for photographs in various positions, such as lunging
with a spear. Some of the background paintings Mason used in her dioramas are also based on the photographs of Walter McClintock,
noted ethnologist and photographer of the Blackfoot.
In addition to the Southwest Museum, Mason created works for the National Park Service and the Santa Barbara Historical Society.
Her sculptures and bronze plaques can also be found in other parts of California such as the Los Angeles Harbor Breakwater,
John C. Fremont Marker, Old Mission Dam in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and Old Grist Mill, which was dedicated by the
Daughters of the American Colonists. Mason's works also includes a series of Native American athletic figures that were displayed
at the Olympic Art show in Los Angeles in 1932.
Mason died in Santa Barbara on 1953 June 13. Her enduring affection for the Southwest Museum is shown in the fact that she
bequeathed most of her estate to the Southwest Museum.
References:
Elizabeth Mason (Obituary). (1953).
The Masterkey, 27(3). 134-136.
Schroeder, G. R. (1980). Thirty-seven little dioramas and how they grew.
The Masterkey, 54(1). 5-16.
Southwest Museum Annual Report. (1925). p.25.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of correspondence, sketches, research notes, transcriptions of published material, manuscripts and
personal documents collected or created by Elizabeth Mason. Mason's transcriptions are primarily published works of other
authors. These materials consist of typed pages bound together and sometimes include Mason's handwritten notes in the margins.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Indians of North America -- Social life and customs
Dioramas
Manuscripts
Transcripts
Indians of North America -- Study and teaching
Scrapbooks
California -- Description and travel
California -- History
Pencil sketches
Correspondence
Santa Barbara (Calif.)
Clippings
Juana Marie
Southwest Museum (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Harrington, John Peabody
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