Red Cross Collection, 1917-1973

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
American Red Cross.
Abstract:
This collection contains information on the American Red Cross and its San Diego Chapter regarding internal operations, fundraising, recruitment, and various public services.
Extent:
0.5 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Red Cross Collection, MS 62, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of materials pertaining to the American Red Cross and its San Diego Chapter regarding internal operations, fundraising, recruitment, and public services. Operational materials include By-Laws, annual reports and conventions, as well as newsletters and the aforementioned fundraising and volunteer recruitment. Materials specific to the American Junior Red Cross, Camp and Hospital Council, and Home and Farm Accident Prevention Program are also included. Informational guides in the collection cover topics such as disaster relief, war efforts, first-aid, healthcare, casework and garment production.

Biographical / historical:

The American Red Cross (ARC) was founded 1881 in Washington, D.C. by Clara Barton, who visited Europe after the Civil War and learned of the International Red Cross. She headed the newly-formed ARC for the next 23 years, overseeing its domestic and international relief efforts which included the provision of nursing services to the United States military during the Spanish-American War. It was during this time, in 1898, that the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross was formed, sending lemons and dried fruit to Cubans held in Spanish concentration camps in Cuba. They were also responsible for collecting donations, making garments, and shipping carloads of lemons to fever stricken soldiers quarantined at Montauk Point, New York. The San Diego Chapter was originally organized as a member of the California Red Cross State Association, but with the reorganization of the American National Red Cross under a congressional charter in 1906, the branch became a chapter of the Pacific Area office of ARC with headquarters in San Francisco.

Between 1900 and 1906, the American Red Cross was active, but the San Diego Chapter was not. The San Francisco earthquake of April 1906, however, spurned life back into the Chapter and an earthquake relief committee was established, sending money and boxes of clothing as well as other supplies to earthquake victims. The Chapter also helped the numerous victims who took refuge in San Diego, helping them find permanent housing and employment. Subsequent projects were similar, such as assisting victims of natural disasters in the U.S., Italy, Mexico, China, and France. When there were no disasters to attend to, the Chapter’s members joined in the national branch’s efforts in selling Christmas seals for tuberculosis prevention, as well as teaching courses in hygiene, first aid and disease treatment and prevention. Service by the San Diego Red Cross peaked in 1917 with the start of U.S. involvement in WWI and the influx of military activity in San Diego. The list of the board of directors and of committee chairmen during this period reveals names of the city’s most prominent men and women.

The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) also played a large part in the Chapter’s early history, as volunteers provided medical services to soldiers and refugees. Over 1,000 Americans who had been living in Mexico fled back across the border and were aided by the Red Cross in establishing new lives.

During WWII, the Chapter operated its War Fund, aggressively soliciting funds to assist soldiers, military families, and the war effort in general. At this time, its headquarters were located in Balboa Park, where female volunteers gathered to knit garments for servicemen and war refugees. The American Junior Red Cross also had a large membership during this period. Members assisted in hospitals and wrote letters to children in other countries. Local leaders stressed the importance of American Junior Red Cross work in general school life.

The San Diego Chapter of the American Red Cross remains an active organization, continuing its role in the health and well-being of San Diegans and the global community.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Jennifer Ho on July 5, 2011.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

Items in collection are arranged by subject.

Physical / technical requirements:

Some booklets have loose bindings. (June 29, 2011)

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Red Cross Collection, MS 62, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website