Berger Nielsen Collection
Finding aid created by Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room staff using RecordEXPRESS
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
2024
215 East "C" Street
Ontario, California 91764-4111
(909) 395-2206
localhistory@ontarioca.gov
https://www.ontarioca.gov/LibraryEvents
Title: Berger Nielsen Collection
Dates: 1917-1988
Collection Number: Consult library
Creator/Collector:
Nielsen, Berger
Chamber of Commerce (Ontario, Calif.)
Extent: 4.5 linear feet
Repository:
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Ontario, California 91764-4111
Abstract: This collection contains photos, correspondence, personal business papers, papers from Mr. Nielsen’s Army career, and scrapbooks,
documents, photos, correspondence and miscellaneous items from his career as Executive Director of various Chambers of Commerce
including those of Montclair and Ontario.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.
Please contact the history room in advance for access.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item]. Berger Nielsen Collection. Collection Number: Consult library. Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood
Model Colony History Room
Collection was donated by Mildred Nielsen in 2004.
Biography/Administrative History
Berger E. Nielsen was born on December 25, 1917 in Holbaek, Denmark. At the age of six he migrated with his parents to the
United States, settling in Waukegan, Illinois. From 1936-1942 he worked in the public relations department for the Johns-Manville
Corporation. A naturalized citizen, he served in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division-European Theater from 1942-1946. He continued
his Army career in the reserves, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
In 1948, he was offered a position as Assistant Manager for the Waukegan Area Chamber of Commerce. Thus began his career
as Chamber director, serving the communities of Seaside, Oregon, San Gabriel, Huntington Park, Ontario and Montclair.
He was active in the American Legion, Elks, Rotary, Kiwanis and Red Hill Country Clubs. He retired as Executive Director
of the Ontario Chamber in 1980 but returned as a consultant/acting Director for the Montclair Chamber from 1982-1988. He
died Feb. 12, 1988, leaving his wife Mildred. They were married 48 years.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains photos, correspondence, personal business papers, papers from Mr. Nielsen’s Army career, and scrapbooks,
documents, photos, correspondence and miscellaneous items from his career as Executive Director of various Chambers of Commerce
including those of Montclair and Ontario.
Nielsen, Berger
Chamber of Commerce (Ontario, Calif.)
Chamber of Commerce (Montclair, Calif.)
Ontario (Calif.)
Montclair (Calif.)