Inventory of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Records
Sydney Bailey
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2006
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Records
Collection number: R367
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Sydney Bailey
- Date Completed:
- October 2006
- Encoded by:
- Melissa Tyler
© 2006 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records
Dates: 1981-1990
Collection number: R367
Creator:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission
Collection Size:
3 cubic feet of textual records, 440 photographs, 68 negative strips, 154 slides, one blue print, 25 building plans, 1 poster
transparency, 2 publicity posters, 10 videos, 3 audio cassettes and 2 audio reel recordings
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: The scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records cover the eight year period of the Commission's existence and
the tasks granted to the Commission to create a memorial dedicated to California Vietnam Veterans. Topics include fundraising,
Commission finances, media promotions, the design and construction of the memorial, and construction progress.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Administrative Information
Restrictions
All series are open to research except series R367.07 (Memorial Correspondence Files) which are restricted per concerns regarding
third party information, Information Practices Act, California Civil Code, beginning with section 1798.
Publication Rights
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Records, R367, [series number], Box/Folder, California State
Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition Information
The California State Archives acquired the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records according to state law.
Agency History
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission was established by Statutes 1983, chapter 1042 (AB650-Floyd) as a limited term nine-member
Commission that oversaw the design and construction of California's Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the State
Capitol in Sacramento.
The Commission existed to set policy, select and hire staff that would solicit contributions to design and construct the memorial,
monitor the design and construction process, and establish a program for the dedication of the memorial.
The memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 28, 1990. Per Statutes 1987, chapter 731 the Commission was dissolved on January
1 of the following year. Remaining Commission funds were dedicated for continued care of the Memorial and for distribution
to other Veteran's organizations.
Scope and Content
The records of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission consist of 87 files folders, 440 photographs, 68 negative strips,
154 slides, one blue print, 25 building plans, 1 poster transparency, 2 publicity posters, 10 videos, 3 audio cassettes and
2 audio reel recordings. The textual records contain primarily correspondence, memorandum, minutes, newspaper articles, activity
reports, and staff notes. Audio visual materials are of publicity promotions and newscasts.
The scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records cover the eight year period of the Commission's existence and
the tasks granted to the Commission to create a memorial dedicated to California Vietnam Veterans. Topics include fundraising,
Commission finances, media promotions, the design and construction of the memorial, and construction progress.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission
California Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Sacramento, Calif.)
War memorials
folder R367.01. Box 1/1-1/2.
Series 1.
Legislative Files
1985-1990
Physical Description: 2 file folders.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject.
Scope and Content Note
Files contain reports to the Legislature (1995-1990) regarding Commission activities as well as one file on legislative bills
of interest to the Commission. Bill subjects include use of funds from the State's General Fund, use of Commission funds,
and Commission authority. Files include reports, analysis, memorandum, news clippings and correspondence.
folder R367.02. Box 1/3-1/8.
Series 2.
Minutes
1984-1990
Physical Description: 6 file folders.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Minutes of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission meetings. The minutes include discussion of policy, procedure, construction
progress, general administration, and funding of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Files include meeting agendas and minutes.
folder R367.03. Box 1/9-1/16.
Series 3.
Correspondence Files
1982-1989
Physical Description: 8 file folders.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence regarding Commission activities, events, fundraising, donations and other actions of the Commission. Files
include correspondence, news clippings, memorandum, minutes, proposals, meeting materials, and thank you correspondence for
donations of labor and funds.
folder R367.04. Box 1/17-1/28.
Series 4.
Publicity Files
1984-1990
Physical Description: 12 file folders, 214 photographs, 10 videos, 2 posters, 1 poster transparency, 3 audio cassettes, 2 audio reels.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject.
Scope and Content Note
General publicity materials of Commission events including the Ground Breaking Ceremony, dedication, and transfer of the memorial
to the State. Materials include publicity stills, programs, posters, examples of fundraising materials, and other publicity
packets. Photographs are primarily of the "Turn Over" Ceremony and the Memorial. Videos are of publicity promotions and
newscasts.
folder R367.05. Box 1/28-1/36.
Series 5.
Memorial Design Files
1984-1990
Physical Description: 8 file folders, 154 slides, 226 photographs, and 68 negative strips.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject.
Scope and Content Note
Vietnam Veterans Memorial design competition information and publicity files, including layout and panel design, design changes,
additions and insurance specifications for the model of the memorial. Photographs and/or slides are of designs entered into
the competition and of the completed memorial.
folder R367.06. Box 2/1-2/5.
Series 6.
Financial Files
1987-1990
Physical Description: 5 file folders.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject.
Scope and Content Note
Audit and financial records of the Commission. Subjects include: Memorial Audit Committee, 1989; audit provided by Arthur
Young, 1987; use of a tax form check box for donations to the Memorial Commission; receipts and disbursements; and final disbursement
of Commission funds. Files include correspondence, receipts, record of disbursements, and audits.
folder R367.07. Box 2/6-2/23.
Series 7.
Contract Files
1981-1990
Physical Description: 18 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by Contractor name.
Scope and Content Note
Standard agreements with various vendors hired by the Commission for Memorial construction, and design, as well as marketing
and fundraising. Files include contracts, memorandum, correspondence, receipts, expenditures and product samples.
folder R367.08. Box 3/1-3/4.
Series 8.
Directories
1989
Physical Description: 4 file folders.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Note
Criteria used to determine the names to appear on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and two directories, or lists of names, selected
for the Memorial. The lists are not complete.
folder R367.09. Box 3/5-3/27.
Series 9.
Memorial Correspondence Files
1985-1990
Physical Description: 24 file folders.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence between Commission members and friends/family of veterans requesting veteran's names be placed on the Memorial.
Includes correspondence to and from the Commission, news clippings, and, in many cases, documentation of the veteran's birth,
death and military status.
Access Information
RESTRICTED, per Information Practices Act, California Civil Code, beginning with section 1798.
folder R367.10. Box 3/28.
Series 10.
Design Plans
1985-1988
Physical Description: 1 file folder, 1 blue print, 25 plans.
Arrangement
Arranged according to plan/blue print number.
Scope and Content Note
One blue print and twenty five construction/design plans of various aspects of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial including panel
view, elevations, and landscape design. File folder (3/28) contains a list of Design Plans, also see Appendix A in the master
finding aid at the Research Room of the California State Archives.