Description
This collection contains papers related to the life, activities,
and family of Southern California social, business, and philanthropic leader Clara Bradley
Burdette (1855-1954). It includes materials on various women's clubs and societies,
especially the General Federation of Women's Clubs, California Federation of Women's Clubs,
and Alpha Phi Sorority. There are also materials related to Mills College, Syracuse
University, California College in China, the Southwest Museum, Trinity Baptist Church in Los
Angeles, including manuscripts and sermons by Robert Jones Burdette, and the Republican
party.
Background
Clara Bradley Burdette (1855-1954) was a Southern California social, business, and
philanthropic leader. She attended Syracuse University, where she was a founder of Alpha Phi
Sorority in 1872. After the deaths of her first two husbands, Nathaniel Milman Wheeler and
Col. Presley C. Baker, she married Robert Jones Burdette (1844-1914), a humorist and
lecturer who moved to the ministry after his marriage to Clara in 1899. He founded the
Trinity Baptist Church in Los Angeles, and Clara became a leader of women's societies and
was founder and first president of the California Federation of Women's Clubs in 1900. She
was active in Republican politics (particularly in Herbert Hoover's campaign for the
presidency), and she was a trustee of Syracuse University, Mills College, California College
in China, Pasadena Hospital, and the Southwest Museum.
Extent
Approximately 50,000 pieces in 163 boxes.
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.