Guide to the San José State University Campus Events Collection MSS-2010-02-04
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San José State University Campus Events Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2010-02-04
Physical Description:
4 boxes
(4.667 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1911-2011
Abstract: The San José State University Campus Events Collection, 1925-2007 (bulk 1950-1970) documents university and student sponsored
events, such as Spardi Gras, Homecoming, and the Centennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations of the university. The records
consist of print materials such as scrapbooks, flyers, calendars, newspapers, and brochures. This collection is arranged alphabetically
by subject.
Language of Material: Languages represented in the collection: English
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright is assigned to the San Jose State University Special Collections and Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections and Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
San José State University Campus Events Collection, MSS-2010-02-04, San José State University Library Special Collections
and Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Kimberly Koshiyama. Finding aid EAD encoded by Kimberly Koshiyama. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin
Louthen. In 2018, the collection was reprocessed by Kate Steffens from MPLP standards to provide more robust access and description.
At the same time, all materials from the Centennial Campus Events Collection (MSS.2011.10.08) were merged with this collection.
Accural added by Eilene Lueck on April 2023.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San José State University Library grant
project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008.The Project Director
is Danelle Moon. The Project Archivist is Erin Louthen.
Organizational History
In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers
in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California
State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San
José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed
the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed
in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes,
Minns' Normal School is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations,
and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.
San José State University yearbooks, student handbooks and other event-related materials document a range of campus celebrations
and events that took place between 1925-2007. Noteworthy campus events at SJSU include the Spartan Revelries (1930s-1960s),
Spardi Gras (1929-1950) and Homecoming Week (1948-present). Spartan Revelries was an all-student college musical event written,
produced, and presented entirely by students, and all students on campus were eligible to participate in its production. Another
longstanding event in SJSU's past was Spardi Gras. According to the 1926 campus yearbook
La Torre, Spardi Gras (or Hobo Day on Washington's Birthday) was "a gala occasion of play, sport, and merrymaking, which met with
unprecedented participation by the entire student body, and was later authorized by the Executive Board as an annual event
because of its great success." Homecoming Week is still celebrated today on the SJSU campus, and includes events for students
and alumni such as a movie festival and a bonfire, and culminates with the annual Homecoming football game in Spartan Stadium.
Other significant events covered in this collection include the university's Centennial Celebration in 1957, and the Sesquicentennial
Celebration (150th Anniversary) in 2007.
Related Material
San José State University Office of University Relations Records, MSS-2009-03-06, San José State University Library Special
Collections and Archives.
San José State University Archives Photograph Collection, MSS-2006-05-01, San José State University Library Special Collections
and Archives.
San José State University Public Relations and Publications Records, MSS-2009-03-11, San José State University Library Special
Collections and Archives.
Scope and Content of Collection
The San José State University Campus Events Collection, 1925-2007 (bulk 1950-1970) documents university and student sponsored
events, such as Spardi Gras, Spartan Revelries, Homecoming, and the Centennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations of the University.
The records consist of print materials such as scrapbooks, flyers, calendars, newspapers, and brochures. Notable items in
this collection include a photo scrapbook of images from a performance by the Smothers Brothers; a flyer and invitation for
a speech by Richard Nixon; flyers for appearances by the poets Audre Lorde, Robert Bly, and William Stafford, and activist
Flo Kennedy; and flyers and event announcements from a wide variety of art exhibits held on campus.
Spartan Revelries was an all-student show that took place until 1963. It is described as follows in the 1960 La Torre: "Spartan
Revelries has been a tradition on the San Jose State College campus for more than thirty years. This all-student college musical
event is written, produced, and presented entirely by students, and any student on the campus may participate in its production.
The first Revelries, as a full-fledged musical comedy is shrouded in mystery. Some sources indicated that it began in 1929
as a grand finale to Spardi Gras. Others suggest that it had its beginning in 1933. At least we know that back in those days
a spring musical of some sort was represented each year. In 1930 there was a student-written and produced show called 'Jazzmania,'
which enjoyed tremendous success. In 1949 a Revelries Board was established to carry out the business and management of each
year's show, which has grown to be an event requiring the efforts of many students and several months of preparation."
Spardi Gras was an all-student event. Based on information from the La Torre yearbooks, Spardi Gras was first held on Washington's
birthday in 1929. It was described in the 1929 yearbook as follows: "Another event which met with unprecedented participance
by the entire student body was the first annual Spardi Gras or Hobo Day on Washington's Birthday, a gala occasion of play,
sport, and merrymaking later authorized by the Executive Board as an annual event because of its great success." The last
entry about Spardi Gras appears in the 1950 yearbook.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San José State University -- Anniversaries, etc.
San José State Teachers College -- History.
San Jose State College -- History
California State University, San José -- History.
San José State University -- History.
Education, Higher -- California -- San Jose.
box 1, Folder 1
America's Bicentennial: Article on Commemorative Flag
1975
Box 1, Folder 2
America's Bicentennial: Commemorative Flag
1975-1976
Box 1, Folder 3
America's Bicentennial: Correspondence and Press Releases
1976
Box 1, Folder 4
America's Bicentennial: Master Calendar Records
1976
Box 1, Folder 5
America's Bicentennial: SJSU Event Calendars
1976
Box 1, Folder 6
Art Exhibits: Andrew Jackson Grayson "Birds of the Pacific Slope"
April-May 1987
Box 1, Folder 7
Art Exhibits: SJSC Art Department
1957-1960
Box 1, Folder 8
Art Exhibits: Student Union Art Gallery
1977-1980
Box 1, Folder 9
Building Dedications: Clark Library
February 19, 1982
Box 1, Folder 10
Building Dedications: Heritage Gateways
October 29, 1999
Box 1, Folder 11
Building Dedications: Morris Elmer Daily Assembly Hall
June 20, 1920
Box 1, Folder 12
California Centennial at SJSC
1949
box 1, Folders 32
Celebration of University Scholars
2005
box 1, Folder 13
Centennial: Art Exhibition Flyers and Guestbook
1957
Box 4, Folder 1
Centennial: BBQ Poster
May 8, 1957
Box 1, Folder 14
Centennial: Commemorative Calendar
1957
Box 1, Folder 15
Centennial: Committees
1955
Box 1, Folder 16
Centennial: Congratulatory Messages (1 of 2)
1957
Box 4, Folder 2
Centennial: Congratulatory Messages (2 of 2)
1957
Box 1, Folder 17
Centennial: Correspondence - General
1957
Box 1, Folder 18
Centennial: Correspondence Between Joe West and Frank de Bellis
1957
Box 1, Folder 19
Centennial: Correspondence to Bob Pentzer, Spartan Daily Editor
1957
Box 1, Folder 20
Centennial: Declined Invitations
1957
Box 1, Folder 21
Centennial: Emeritus Luncheon and Convocation
1957
Box 4, Folder 3
Centennial: Mercury News Special Issue
April 1957
Box 1, Folder 23
Centennial: Invitations
1957
Box 1, Folder 24
Centennial: Photos of Campus
1952
Box 1, Folder 25
Centennial: Pioneers for 100 Years - Book Cover, Book Review, and Interview with Benjamin F. Gilbert, author.
1956-1957
Box 1, Folder 26
Centennial: Pioneers for 100 Years - Booklets
1957
Box 1, Folder 27
Centennial: Pioneers for 100 Years - President's Convocation Programs
1957
drawer 02.11
Centennial: Poster of Mercury News Special Issue
April 1957
Box 1, Folder 28
Centennial: Press (1 of 2)
1957
Box 4, Folder 4
Centennial: Press (2 of 2)
1957
Box 1, Folder 29
Centennial: Programs (1 of 3)
1957
Box 1, Folder 30
Centennial: Programs (2 of 3)
1957
Box 1, Folder 31
Centennial: Programs (3 of 3)
1957
Box 2, Folder 1
Centennial: Publications
1957
Box 2, Folder 2
Centennial: Speeches
May 2, 1957
Box 2, Folder 3
Centennial: Souvenirs
1957
Box 4, Folder 5
Centennial: Welcome Poster from San Jose Chamber of Commerce
May 1957
Box 2, Folder 4
Ceremonies: Honorary Degree for Dr. Mario Serrate Ruiz
1974
Box 2, Folder 5
Concerts and Festivals
1930, 1975-1977
Box 2, Folder 6
Conferences and Seminars
1925-1992
Box 2, Folder 7
Diamond Jubilee: 75th Anniversary Programs
1937
Box 2, Folder 8
Event Calendars
1970-1978, 1992
Box 2, Folder 9
Festival of the Arts: Programs and Event Calendars (1 of 2)
1955-1963
Box 2, Folder 10
Festival of the Arts: Programs and Event Calendars (2 of 2)
1955-1963
Box 2, Folder 12
Fundraisers: Tenure and Retention Defense Fund, Art Auction and Dinner Dance
1971-1979
Box 2, Folder 14
Memorials: Alan B. Simpkins
1997
Box 2, Folder 16
Plays and Musicals
1930-1957
Box 2, Folder 17
Protests: SDS, the Mexican-American Student Council, National Student Coalition Against Racism
1968
Box 2, Folder 18
Receptions, Awards, and Luncheons
1927-2011
drawer 02.11
Sesquicentennial: Celebration Poster
2007
box 2, Folder 19
Sesquicentennial: Commemorative Book
2007
Box 2, Folder 20
Sesquicentennial: Commemorative Coins
2007
Box 2, Folder 21
Sesquicentennial: Commemorative Coin Dies (1 of 3)
2007
Box 2, Folder 22
Sesquicentennial: Commemorative Coin Dies (2 of 3)
2007
Box 2, Folder 23
Sesquicentennial: Commemorative Coin Dies (3 of 3)
2007
Box 2, Folder 24
Sesquicentennial: Commemorative Folder
2007
Box 2, Folder 25
Sesquicentennial: Commendation from the Lieutenant Governor
May 4, 2007
Box 2, Folder 26
Sesquicentennial: Congressional Honor from Mike Honda
May 2, 2007
Box 2, Folder 27
Sesquicentennial: Congressional Resolution from Mike Honda
2007
Box 2, Folder 28
Sesquicentennial: DV Cam Videos of Gala and Cocktail Party
Nov. 1, 2007
Box 2, Folder 29
Sesquicentennial: DVDs and CDs of Events
2007
Box 2, Folder 30
Sesquicentennial: Events Program and Booklet
2007
Box 2, Folder 31
Sesquicentennial: Fabric Banner
2007
drawer 02.11
Sesquicentennial: Historical Exhibit Poster
2007
Box 4, Folder 6
Sesquicentennial: Mercury News Special Edition
April 29, 2007
Box 2, Folder 32
Sesquicentennial: Photos of SJS Normal School
1911-1913
Box 2, Folder 33
Sesquicentennial: Photo Prints
2007
Box 3, Folder 1
Sesquicentennial: Pins and Luggage Tag
2007
Box 4, Folder 7
Sesquicentennial: Proclamations
2007
Box 3, Folder 2
Sesquicentennial: Programs
2007
Box 4, Folder 8
Sesquicentennial: Resolutions
2007
Box 3, Folder 3
Sesquicentennial: Symphony Concert Programs
April 4, 2007
Box 3, Folder 4
Sesquicentennial: Washington Square Commemorative Issue
Spring 2007
box 3, Folder 5
Spardi Gras: Press
1932, 1949, 1957
Box 3, Folder 6
Spardi Gras: Programs
1943-1948
Box 3, Folder 6
Spardi Gras: Scrapbook
1947
Box 3, Folder 7
Spardi Gras: Scrapbook
1948
box 3, Folder 8
Spartan Revelries: Correspondence
1948-1963
Box 3, Folder 9
Spartan Revelries: Organizational Handbooks
1960-1963
Box 3, Folder 10
Spartan Revelries: Production Paperwork
1950-1963
Box 3, Folder 11
Spartan Revelries: Programs
1952-1961
Box 3, Folder 12
Spartan Revelries: Publicity Photographs
Box 3, Folder 13
Spartan Revelries: Scripts, Lyrics and Music (1 of 3)
1952-1956
Box 3, Folder 14
Spartan Revelries: Scripts, Lyrics and Music (2 of 3)
1952-1956
Box 4, Folder 9
Spartan Revelries: Scripts, Lyrics and Music (3 of 3)
1952-1956
Box 3, Folder 15
Talks, Lectures, and Addresses: Flyers
1963-1977
Box 3, Folder 17
University Night: The Smothers Brothers Performance Photo Scrapbook
December 2, 1981
Box 3, Folder 18
Youth Goodwill Mission from Taiwan (1 of 2)
1981
Box 3, Folder 19
Youth Goodwill Mission from Taiwan (2 of 2)
1981
