China Society of Southern California records, 1935-2015

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Summary

Creators:
China Society of Southern California
Abstract:
The China Society of Southern California was founded in 1935 as a non-profit cultural organization and is the oldest Sino-American organization of its kind in the United States. The records of the China Society consist primarily of correspondence, board meeting minutes, the Bulletin of the China Society, and financial records. There are also materials surrounding events held by both the China Society and neighboring organizations, foundation documents, articles and clippings, as well as certificates and ephemera.
Extent:
5 Linear Feet 6 boxes and 1 oversize folder
Language:
English , Chinese .
Preferred citation:

[Box/Folder# or Item name], China Society of Southern California records, Collection no. 3311, East Asian Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

The China Society of Southern California records, 1935-2015, consist of correspondence, minutes, financial records, bulletins, brochures, invitations, event materials, articles, clippings, publications, certificates, and ephemera documenting the 80-year history of the oldest Sino-American organization in the United States. The majority of the material in this collection comprise correspondence to and from members, board of directors meeting minutes, financial records in the form of statements, account books, financial reports, receipts, and balances, as well as original copies of the Bulletin of the China Society of Southern California, from its inception in 1935 through the 1990s.

Additionally, the collection includes items related to events and gatherings, held by both the China Society and neighboring organizations, in the form of event programs, brochures, invitations, menus, notes, photos, and mock-ups of announcements and programs.

The collection also contains foundation documents consisting of the China Society's Constitution, By-Laws, and Articles of Incorporation as well as Board of Directors information, rosters, membership applications, and lists.

The remainder of the collection includes a some articles, newspaper clippings pertaining to China, a few newsletters and journal publications, certificates, and ephemera in the form of a tie.

Biographical / historical:

The China Society of Southern California was founded in 1935 as a non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest Sino-American organization of its kind in the United States. The Society was initiated on May 8, 1935 by a group of Chinese and American friends who met together at the home of Dr. Yi-Seng Kiang, the former Vice-Consul and Consul-General of the Republic of China. Under its first President, Peter SooHoo, the China Society's first official meeting was held on June 6, 1935 at Soochow Café in Los Angeles.

The goals of the China Society of Southern California, as noted in its Constitution and By-Laws, are to "foster friendly relations between Chinese and Americans", "promote among Americans and Chinese a true understanding and appreciation of the history, culture, ideals, and customs of their respective countries", "provide Chinese and Americans with opportunities for mutual sharing of the beautiful and useful creations of their respective civilizations, including those in the realm of art, literature, philosophy, science, and religion" and "to co-operate with other organizations in sympathy with its aims and interest."

Included among the Society's history of members are Lillie SooHoo, Dr. Theodora Chen (Chairman of the Department of Asiatic Studies at the University of Southern California), Nobel Prize winner Pearl S. Buck, Chang Wen-ti, Chang Shu-chi, Dr. Y.G. Chen, Dr. J. Leighton Stuart, and Sue Yong.

Acquisition information:
The collection came to the University through connections made by Clayton Dube, Associate Director of USC's U.S.-China Institute. Representatives of the China Society of Southern California, including its President, Robert Lee (2014), visited USC to discuss the donation of the material.
Arrangement:

The China Society of Southern California records have been organized into the following series: 1. Foundation documents; 2. Correspondence; 3. Minutes; 4. Financial records; 5. Bulletin of the China Society of Southern California; 6. Brochures, invitations, and event materials; 7. Articles, clippings, and publications; 8. Certificates and ephemera.

Materials were found to be primarily in chronological order. This arrangement has, largely, been maintained.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access of physical materials. Access of the select digitized items is available through the China Society of Southern California collection via USC's Digital Library. http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15799coll32

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Department of the East Asian Library at eal@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the East Asian Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/Folder# or Item name], China Society of Southern California records, Collection no. 3311, East Asian Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
East Asian Library
Doheny Memorial Library, 1st floor
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1825, US
Contact:
(213) 740-1772
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