Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Davies (Darlene Gould) Collection
MS-0099  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Scope and Contents
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Source of Acquisition
  • Accruals and Additions
  • Related Materials
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note

  • Contributing Institution: Special Collections & University Archives
    Title: Darlene Gould Davies Collection
    Creator: Davies, Darlene Gould
    Identifier/Call Number: MS-0099
    Physical Description: 17.72 Linear Feet
    Date (inclusive): 1910-2018
    Date (bulk): 1980-2006
    Language of Material: English .

    Scope and Contents

    The Darlene Gould Davies Collection consists of documents, materials, and ephemera from the Old Globe Theatre as well as personal files and materials collected during her active career in the San Diego community. It contains correspondence, meeting minutes, article clippings, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, journals, flyers, mailings, advertisements, brochures, posters, pamphlets, playbills, invitations, photographs, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, scrapbooks, stationery, and commemorative artifacts. The collection is divided into seven series: Personal Files of Darlene Davies (1910-2013), Old Globe Theatre Files (1979-2015), Promotional Materials (1952-2007), Publications Files (1935-2015), Scrapbooks (1930s-2016), Audiovisual Files (1950-2008), and Artifacts and Memorabilia (1940-2015).
    The Personal Files (1910-2015) are materials particularly relating to Davies, her involvement with the Old Globe Theatre, and her husband Lowell Davies' papers. This series is mainly composed of correspondence by Darlene and Lowell Davies. Darlene Davies' correspondence contains many letters of thanks and appreciation, as well as updates and announcements concerning galas, banquets and productions at the Old Globe. Some other items in this series include awards for Recognition of Sponsorship, and articles written by Darlene Davies for newspapers and magazines on various subjects. Lowell Davies' journals, primarily written during his teenage years, are also included in this series.
    The Old Globe Theatre Files (1979-2015) are collected materials having most to do with the running of the theatre, its' history, and the many events and programs sponsored by the Old Globe. This series is organized into the following sub-series: Administrative Files, Events, Historical Records, and Programs. The Administrative Files include records of Darlene Davie's time on the Board of Directors, as well as records of other Old Globe councils, committees and reports. The Events sub-series contains records of important events happening at and sponsored by the Old Globe such as Galas, fundraisers, anniversaries and award ceremonies. Notably, this sub-series also contains records of the Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the Globe in 1983, celebrating its' re-opening after being consumed by flames for the second time. The Historical Records sub-series involves materials relating to the Globe's many plays and productions, materials which detail the history of the Globe, and biographies of persons affiliated with the theatre. Founding director Craig Noel's correspondence and news clippings about his receipt of the National Medal of the Arts are also included. The Programs sub-series contains documents related to programs sponsored by the Globe, such as the Craig Noel League and the Young Playwrights Association.
    The Promotional Materials (1952-2007) are composed of three sub-series: Invitations, Flyers, Brochures and Mailings, and Clippings. Invitations are sorted according to those produced by the Old Globe for productions, banquets, cruises and other outings for Globe members and subscribers, and by those having to do with events happening in the San Diego area. The Flyers, Brochures and Mailings are largely concerned with promoting productions put on by the Old Globe, attracting new subscribers, and detailing coming events sponsored by the Globe. The Clippings originate from a myriad of local San Diego and southern California newspapers, magazines and journals, such as the San Diego Union Tribune, 619 Social Calendar, and the San Diego Historical Society Journal. Clippings in this series focus mainly on play reviews, news and announcements about the Old Globe Theatre, and profiles, obituaries, and interviews with Old Globe affiliates.
    The Publications Files (1935-2015) are organized by Old Globe Publications, Outside Publications, and Performing Arts Magazine, and include whole printed materials; mainly newspapers, magazines and pamphlets containing articles, editorials and references to the Old Globe Theatre. Some of these, such as Performing Arts Magazine, are entirely devoted to the ins and outs of the Globe Theatre season, and many offer profiles and interviews with actors and directors, reviews of productions, and articles on the history of the Old Globe.
    The Scrapbooks (1930s-2016) contain several whole scrapbooks put together by Darlene Davies which include records of Old Globe events, invitations, clippings from newspaper and magazine, publications having to do with the Globe, correspondence, and promotional materials. The scrapbooks span periods of time from a few years to a few decades, mostly the 1980s to the 2000s, and one even retains its' original housing in a unique, quilted-cover binding.
    The Audiovisual Files (1950-2008) are composed of two sub-series: Photographs, Postcards, and Stationery and CDs, DVDs, VHSs, Audio Cassette Tapes, and Vinyl Records. The post-cards and stationery are specially printed items produced by the Old Globe displaying scenes from performances and Balboa Park scenery, and depictions of Shakespearean themes and the Old Globe Theatre itself. The DVDs and VHS contain recordings of the Old Globe 70 th anniversary celebration, " Backstage at the Globe: 12 th Night ", and educational documentaries concerning the history and artistic merits of The Old Globe Theatre.
    The Artifacts and Memorabilia (1940-2015) series includes artifacts from Old Globe history, events, and merchandise. There are souvenirs from Globe Galas and anniversaries, trophies and awards, mementos from productions, items from the Craig Noel League, and commemorative items produced by the Old Globe Theatre such as clothing and glassware.

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open for research.

    Conditions Governing Use

    The copyright interests in some of these materials have not been transferred to or belong to San Diego State University. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections means that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

    Source of Acquisition

    Darlene Gould Davies

    Accruals and Additions

    9999-017, 2004-029, 9999-023, 1995-006, 1993-008, 2005-003, 2015-032

    Related Materials

    Lowell Davies Papers
    Old Globe Theatre Records
    Old Globe Theatre Photograph Collection

    Preferred Citation

    Identification of item, folder title, box number, Darlene Gould Davies Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.

    Biographical Note

    Darlene Davies, born Darlene Geer Gould, was born April 28, 1939 in San Diego, California.
    Davies' experience in the world of theatre first began onstage at the San Diego Junior Theatre in the 1950s. She took part in productions such as The Rose and the Ring, The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker, and Hamlet. During this time she met prominent members of the Old Globe community such as directors Craig Noel and Bill Eaton. The Old Globe was also the enduring passion of her future husband Lowell Davies, who spent forty years working on the Globe's Board of Directors, later becoming Board Chairman and President, and for whom the Lowell Davies Festival Stage was named.
    Davies pursued her education at San Diego State University, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication Administration in 1962, and a Masters in Communicative Disorders in 1965. Starting in 1976, Davies worked at San Diego State as a teaching assistant for Speech Pathology, ultimately earning tenure as a full-time faculty member before her retirement as Professor Emeritus in 1994. In 1985, Davies furthered her studies by earning an Educational Specialist degree from Point Loma Nazarene College. In her professional career, she chaired the Speech Language Division at the San Diego Children's Hospital, and served as the first ever Clinical Supervisor of the Speech and Language Clinic at Balboa Naval Hospital.
    Although Davies had worked and written professionally in the Speech Pathology field for some years, she maintained her commitment to theatre and the Old Globe, working closely throughout her life with the San Diego Junior Theatre, the Globe Guilders, and serving on the Globe Board of Directors for twelve years. Davies has also been a generous donor to the Globe, and aided in the planning of Globe events such as Galas and fundraisers. She is the first official Historian appointed by the Globe Theatre, a position she holds to this day. As Globe Historian, Davies has collected an abundance of documents and artifacts from Old Globe history over many decades. She has written numerous articles for newspapers, magazines, and the San Diego Historical Society on behalf of the Globe Theatre.
    While Davies has been notably active at the Junior Theatre and the Old Globe, she has also worked towards the betterment of the city of San Diego. She served for eight years on the San Diego City Commission on the Status of Women, two terms on the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, nine years on the City Park and Recreation Board, at the same time serving as Chair for four years on the Balboa Park Committee, and five years on the Board of the San Diego YWCA.
    Davies has received numerous honors and awards for her dedication to the arts and education, and to those in need. In 1989 she was honored as the Salvation Army Woman of Dedication. In 2002 she was honored by San Diego State as a Motor Board Outstanding Alumni, and for Technology Innovation. Later, in 2008 Davies received the Monty Award for her time as an educator and patron of the arts. In November 2006, she was honored by not only the San Diego City Council, but by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the State of California as well, in a "Darlene Davies Day" celebration. She also received the Friends of Balboa Park Millennium Award in that same year.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Old Globe Theatre (San Diego, Calif.)
    Davies, Darlene Gould--Archives