Guide to the Helen Dobson Brown papers

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room

Title: Helen Dobson Brown papers

Identifier/Call Number: MC 28

Physical Description: .5 Linear Feet (1 Archival Box)

Date (inclusive): 1935-1938

Abstract: Helen Dobson Brown (1908-2003) was a full-time clerk at the California State Library, and part-time camellia enthusiast and playwright. She authored several plays in the late-1930s which were performed at Sacramento venues. Her papers consist of handwritten and typescript drafts of these plays and some printed programs for the productions.

Collection is open for research.

Helen Dobson Brown was born Helen Mildred Dobson on March 5, 1908, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, to Reuben and Blanch Dobson. The family moved to Sacramento in 1913, and according to Helen, Christian Science came into her life around this time after she was healed of infantile paralysis by a Christian Scientist friend. Helen went on to attend Sacramento High School, where she was active in theater and Le Cercle Francais, the school's French Club. After high school, she worked as a book repairer and clerk at the California State Library. Brown was a part-time playwright, as well, and penned and copyrighted several works in the late-1930s, including "Fads, Frivols and Cheers of Forty Hectic Years," performed for the California Library Association conference in Sacramento in 1935, and "Saga of Gold," performed at Memorial Auditorium for a Sciots convention in 1936. Helen married widower Richard Coon Brown (1905-1986) around 1944, and he turned her onto a decades-long love of camellias. She later joined the Northern California Camellia Society and wrote a column for California Life on the flower. Helen Dobson Brown resided in Sacramento for 90 years and died on January 3, 2003.

The papers consist of handwritten and typescript drafts of plays and some printed programs for the following productions: "Saga of Gold" (Memorial Auditorium, Sciots Convention, November 7, 1935), "Tierra de Oro" (Memorial Auditorium, American Rite Bodies Conclaves, April 22, 1936), "George Washington Memorial Ball and Pageant" (Memorial Auditorium, December 1, 1937), "It Didn't Happen Here," "The Story-book Christmas Party," "Another Tomorrow" (R. Springall and H. Dobson), and "You Live My Way" (Clare Foot).

[Identification of item], Helen Dobson Brown papers, MC 28, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.