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Finding Aid to Denise Apcar papers on Dan White,
1974-2011,
SFH 625
SFH 625
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Title: Denise Apcar papers on Dan White,
Date (inclusive): 1974-2011,
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 625
Creator:
Apcar, Denise (Denise V. Apcar), 1955-2020
Physical Description:
3 boxes
(2 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Abstract: Contains Denise Apcar's statements to police following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk;
Apcar's journal-like statement describing the days leading up to the killings; correspondence with Dan White while imprisoned;
photos of a jaihouse visit with White; an incomplete manuscript of Apcar's memoir; news clips and news audio; and material
on related theatrical and screen productions.
Physical Location: The collection is stored on site.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours.
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.
[Identification of item], Denise Apcar Papers on Dan White (SFH 625), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Received from Leonard M. Apcar, brother of Denise Apcar, on Oct. 9, 2020. Additional materials received from Rebecca Carter,
friend of Denise Apcar, on Jan. 5, 2021.
See also Dan White Correspondence, SFH 350 (MSS 28/7); the Mike Weiss
Double Play Collection (SFH 34); the book by Mike Weiss,
Double Play, The San Francisco City Hall Killings,
c1984; and the second edition by Weiss,
Double Play, The Hidden Passions Behind the Double Assassination of George Moscone and Harvey Milk,
2010. Researchers are encouraged to see also the Harvey Milk Archives--Scott Smith Collection (GLC 35).
The following items were transferred to the library's catalog:
Double Play, the San Francisco City Hall Killings,
by Mike Weiss, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., c1984.
VHS copy of
Execution of Justice, The True Story of the Assassination of Harvey Milk,
Showtime/Paramount Pictures, 1999.
Denise Varak Apcar was an administrative assistant to Supervisors John J. Barbegelata and Dan White, from [1977] to 1978.
She was a key witness in White's trial for the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk on Nov. 27,
1978.
Born in 1955 in San Mateo, CA, Apcar grew up in San Carlos with a brother, Leonard. She matriculated from the University of
California, Los Angeles [in 1977] and soon began working for Barbegelata who retired from the board on Jan. 9, 1978, when
Dan White was sworn in. She was an aide to Dan White throughout his tenure as supervisor for District 8.
She wrote (in a book proposal letter of April 12, 1979 to Howard Cady of William Morrow & Company) that she had landed the
"'job of her dreams' right out of college and meets this young, idealistic, 'Kennedy-like' political newcomer, who instantly
captivates her with his wit, Irish charm, and intelligence, and with grandiose ideas to unify a divided San Francisco." She
intimated that she was not able to put the horror of the tragedies behind her. In 2003, she drafted five chapters of a memoir
that was never completed nor published.
After leaving City Hall in 1978, Apcar worked in marketing and public relations. She died of an illness on March 31, 2020.
Contains Denise Apcar's statements to police following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk;
Apcar's journal-like statement describing the days leading up to the killings; correspondence with White while imprisoned;
photos of a jaihouse visit with White; an incomplete manuscript of Apcar's memoir; news clips and news audio; and material
on related theatrical and screen productions.
Some communications highlights follow. Apcar detailed this point regarding White's confession: "The keys he got from me were
for the private entry door to the Supervisor's [sic] offices. This means he planned ahead to see Harvey Milk—which is not
what he said in his confession." (Memo to Steve Burleigh, Daly Harris Productions, undated [1998?], regarding the
Execution of Justice
movie contract.) Her statement to police (of Nov. 27, 1978) and [1979?] personal statement also note that she gave White the
private entry key while in the car, per his request.
Apcar wrote to Burleigh in another undated [1998?] memo: "I think you'll find this article of interest. This is the crucial
juncture and reason why I distanced myself from the White family. I continued to correspond with Dan in prison but that was
it." The referenced article was not with the memo.
In a letter to Anne [possibly Anne Kronenberg, Milk's aide], April 22, 1979, Apcar stated, "A lot has been written about Dan
that just isn't true…I know that it was only that Harvey and Dan differed in 'approach' on that subject [the gay freedom movement]
than anything else, and because of their common trait of stubbornness."
Correspondence with White of May 7, 1979 includes a note of support during the trial.
A letter from White to Apcar, dated Sept. 5, 1979, was upbeat and appreciative, although he noted, "Prison is such an unfriendly
environment…I have never been in such an unfriendly environment."
In a lengthy letter to White dated Feb. 21, 1980, Apcar refers to being close friends in 1978, wanting to be honest, and now
understanding his mental illness and other problems. She also told him how she long agonized over what she could have done,
presumably to help him and prevent the tragedies.
The collection includes an undated statement by Apcar, leading up to the killings and during the trial, to May 2, 1979. The
statement is comprised of a set of typed originals with handwritten corrections. This was likely referred to as a journal
or diary in correspondence with book publishers in 1979.
In a book proposal letter to a William Morrow editor in April of 1979, Apgar communicated that her book would offer "a rare
glimpse into the personality of a young man…who inspired tremendous loyalty in his staff, constituents and family members…"
Her story would go beyond White's actions, providing a "slice of life--mine, Dan White's, George Moscone's and Harvey Milk's--which
happens to have a very tragic ending." She shared, two years later (with
San Francisco Examiner reporter Jim Wood), that she still felt a burden as to all she knew. She did not receive a book deal nor article placement.
In October of 1999, Apcar wrote to the
San Francisco
magazine editor, "Until now, I have never spoken publicly about my views…because…I did not believe my story or point of view
would ever be treated with equal respect." A few years later, she drafted five chapters of a memoir. However, she did not
publish either an article or book.
Organized into three series: Series 1. City Hall, Series 2. Personal, and Series 3. Media. Arranged chronologically.
Includes audio cassettes, a VHS cassette, and vinyl music discs.
Processed by Tami J. Suzuki in 2022.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Apcar, Denise (Denise V. Apcar), 1955-2020 -- Archives.
White, Dan, 1946-1985.
Murder -- California -- San Francisco -- Case studies.
Murderers -- California -- San Francisco -- Biography.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History.