Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Poly Alumni Association (San Francisco, Calif.).
- Abstract:
- Oral history interview transcripts and recordings of former students and teachers at Polytechnic High School in San Francisco, together with a few videocassettes, research notes, and ephemera about the school, collected by Dolores M. Robinson, historian for the Poly Alumni Assocation.
- Extent:
- 1 manuscript box, 1 audiocassette box (0.8 linear feet)
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Poly Alumni Association Records (SFH 377), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Oral history interview transcripts and recordings of former students and teachers at Polytechnic High School, together with a few videocassettes, research notes, and ephemera about the school, collected by Dolores M. Robinson, historian for the Poly Alumni Assocation. The collection represents a range of personal experiences across graduating classes, in the historical context of San Francisco. It also reflects the school's cohesive community, which remained even after its closure.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Polytechnic High School was one of the first high schools in San Francisco when it was started in the 1890s as Commercial High School. Its emphasis was on the mechanical arts, engineering, and science. The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed the 1905 plans for a new school building on land purchased by the City at Frederick and Arguello in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. A few years after the earthquake, a bond measure was passed to build the school; classes were held in earthquake shacks as the new buildings were under construction.
The final graduating class of Polytechnic High School was in 1972, and the school was shut down in 1977 after failing earthquake safety standards. Ten years later, on Nov. 7, 1987, the Poly Alumni Association hosted an all-class reunion party at Kezar Pavilion, right before the school's demolition. Dolores M. Robinson (Class of 1947) served as the Association's historian.
- Acquisition information:
- Received as a gift in two accessions in 1996 and 1998. Accession numbers 1996-21 and 1998-68.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is organized in three series: Series 1: Oral history interviews; Series 2: Research notes and ephemera; and Series 3: Videotapes.
- Physical location:
- Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Poly Alumni Association Records (SFH 377), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567