Finding Aid for the Laura Scudder Papers
2010.10.r
Finding aid prepared by Lindsay Ludvigsen
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
One University Drive
Orange, CA, 92866
(714) 532 - 7711
rboyd@chapman.edu
07/26/2010
Title: Laura Scudder Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 2010.10.r
Contributing Institution:
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
One University Drive
Orange, CA, 92866
(714) 532 - 7711
rboyd@chapman.edu
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
17.0 Linear feet
(18 boxes,
9 framed photos,
50 video tapes,
8 film canisters,
1 sign, enamel, "blue bird")
Date (inclusive): 1890-1959
General Physical Description note: Some of the ephemera is in a fragile state and a few of the photographs are damaged.
Abstract: The Laura Scudder Papers consists of personal and business material relating to businesswoman Laura Scudder and her company.
Location note: Leatherby Libraries
Biographical/Historical note
Laura Clough Scudder (1881-1959) was an entrepreneur in Monterey Park, California, who made and sold potato chips and who
pioneered the packaging of potato chips in sealed bags to extend freshness. Born in Philadelphia, Laura married Charles Scudder
and worked as a nurse before moving to California. While there she became the first female attorney in Ukiah, California before
moving to south Monterey Park, where she started her food company in 1926.
Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Scudder, on July 26, 2010.
Scope and Contents note
This collection consists of 22 document boxes containing personal and business correspondance, photos, home movies, newspaper
articles, ads, clippings and ephemera pertaining to Laura Scudder's personal life, family and business.
Of particular interest are the original potato chip bags made of wax paper, the desing of which Scudder pioneered to keep
chips fresh, and samples of original shipping boxes. Also, the many family vacation photographs, which show famous world locations
and places in California from the 1890's to the 1950's. There are also many business letters and memos which give an intimate
look at how Scudder Foods grew and was managed during its time of operation.
Arrangement note
These papers were arranged, when possible, according to the original order in which the material was received.
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use note
There are no restrictions on the use of this material.
Preferred Citation note
[identify item], Laura Scudder Papers (2010.10.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman
University, CA.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Scudder, Laura, 1881-1959
Business Women, Food industry and trade -- California -- History.
California -- History -- 1850-1950.
Food Industry and trade -- California -- Los Angeles.
Potato chip industry -- United States -- History.
Mixed materials 1-5
Chronological Files
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear feet
(7 boxes)
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of personal and business material related to her personal life and her food industry business.
Boxes 1-5 contain several photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, and memos of Laura Scudder and her family, nursing career,
law career, and food industry business.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Scudder, Charles, 1861-1929
Mixed materials 15-16
Additional Items, 1993
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.83 Linear feet
(2 boxes)
Scope and Contents note
This subseries contains items relating to the Laura Scudder Co. These items are several photographs of the company, company
delivery trucks, store displays, coupons, booklets, newsletters, and historical articles. Also, in box 16 there is a booklet
about the Laura Scudder Co. Anaheim, CA plant.
Audio Visual Material
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
6.6 Linear feet
(7 boxes and 2 cartons)
Scope and Contents note
This series contains several copies of the "Laura" documentary film and video tapes of interviews done for the production.
There are also production notes, along with audio cassette tapes of the film interviews as well as reels of Scudder home movies.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Scudder, John
Mixed materials 10
Scripts and Notebook
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(1 box)
Mixed materials 11,17,19-20
Laura Video Materials
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.3 Linear feet
(2 boxes, 2 cartons)
Mixed materials 9
10 Videos, 6 Film Reels
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(1 box)
Mixed materials 8
Film Reels and Cannisters
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
(1 box)
Mixed materials 12
Cassette and Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(1 box)
Mixed materials 18
Binder of Notes for Laura film
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
(1 box)
Mixed materials 7
Photographic Materials
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.83 Linear feet
(2 boxes)
Scope and Contents note
Boxes 7 and 8 of the Laura Scudder Papers hold several photographs and negatives of Laura Scudder's family and business. There
are also portraits of Laura, and several negative sheets of photos taken by Charles Scudder.
The majority of the photos are of Laura's family. In box 8 there is also a phonograph record of a radio ad for KWKW Spanish
Language radio.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Scudder, Charles, 1861-1929
Graphic materials 8
Photo Negatives and Phonograph Record
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(1 box)
Mixed materials 13-14
Laura Scudder Co. Items
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.9 Linear feet
(3 boxes)
Scope and Contents note
Boxes 13-14 of the Laura Scudder Papers hold Scudder Foods company items. These items include envelopes and a small leather
notebook with company logos, original potato chip bags and peanut butter jars, and two wood-backed photos of a delivery truck
and a potato chip bag.
Mixed materials Case 7
Laura Scudder Co. Oversized Items
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.08 Linear feet
(1box)
Scope and Contents note
The oversized items within this series include an original Scudder Foods shipping box, original potato chips bags, and copies
of poster sized advertisements for different products from Scudder Foods.
Mixed materials 6
Books, Magazines, Other Printed Materials
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(1 box)
Scope and Contents note
Box 6 of the Laura Scudder Papers contains three items. One copy "The Californians" magazine, vol. 7 number 5. The cover features
Laura. The next item is a booklet about the San Gabriel Valley. The last item is a folder with several copies of an article
from the Los Angeles Times titled "Laura Scudder Was More Than Just a Name," from April, 1999.
Mixed materials 21
Framed Documents
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.75 Linear feet
(1 box)
Scope and Contents note
The box of framed documents for the Laura Scudder Papers contains one framed photo of delivery trucks, a "District Court of
the United States" certificate for Laura relating to her law profession, a "State of California, Department of State" certificate
for Scudder Foods, and one tribute to Laura for the 30th anniversay of the founding of Scudder Foods.
Mixed materials 22
Ephemera and Realia
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.25 Linear feet
(1 carton)
Scope and Contents note
This series contains jars and tin cans for different products from Scudder Foods, and some company stamps. Also in the oversized
items box there are company photos alomg with copies of and original ad posters, several full size newspaper pages with articles
about Laura, a yearbook with a Scudder Foods ad in it, and a scrapbook with many Sudder family vacation photos and pamphlets
in it.
Mixed materials Case 6
Three Oversized Folders
1897-1993
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.08 Linear feet
(1 box)
