Hugh Stuart Center Papers
Finding aid created by History San Jose Research Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
History San Jose Research Library
2023
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, California 95112
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
http://www.historysanjose.org/
Title: Hugh Stuart Center Papers
Dates: 1849-1977
Collection Number: 2006-14
Creator/Collector:
Center, Hugh Stuart (1905-1977)
Center
Stuart
Archer
Extent: 7.5 linear feet
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Correspondence, financial and other business papers of prominent San Jose attorney Hugh Stuart Center (1905-1977) and some
extended family.
Language of Material: English
Open to the public by appointment with the Research Library & Archives
Contact the Research Library & Archives regarding publication and reproduction.
[Identification of item]. Hugh Stuart Center Papers. Collection Number: 2006-14. History San Jose Research Library
Donated to History San Jose in 2006.
Biography/Administrative History
Prominent San Jose attorney Hugh Stuart Center (1905-1977) had deep roots in Santa Clara Valley. His legacy, the Hugh Stuart
Center Charitable Trust, has been an important supporter of arts and culture, education and human services throughout Santa
Clara County for more than thirty-five years.
Center, an expert in civil law and trial procedure, was highly respected for his wide-ranging legal skill. His geniality,
wit, and integrity were at work not only in the courtroom, but in local political and social circles. He was an early organizer
of the Young Republicans of California, and active in local Republican Party politics throughout the 1930s. He earned a commendation
for his negotiating skills while serving during World War II in the U.S. Navy as District Labor Relations Officer for the
12th Naval District, and later the Western Sea Command. After the war, he returned to San Jose and a successful law practice.
(See attached Guide for a full biography).
Scope and Content of Collection
Correspondence, financial and other business papers, and photographs of the family of Hugh Stuart Center -- including his
parents, Hugh Center and Mary Stuart Center -- and documents regarding the Center and Stuart families and other relations;
correspondence, memoranda, campaign materials, and other documents regarding the Young Republicans of California, 1937-1939,
the Santa Clara County Wendell Willkie Club, 1940, and Republican politics in California during the 1930s; correspondence,
memoranda, notes, meeting materials, rosters and other documents regarding industrial relations in the 12th Naval District,
the Pacific Coast Zone, and Western Sea Command, 1942-1946, including minutes and other committee documents of the Pacific
Zone Standards Committee and other military planning committees working to more effectively use local skilled labor, deal
with labor hiring, supply, training, and housing problems, and better balance production demand and manpower supply.
Labor disputes
World War, 1939-1945
Industrial relations
Center, Mary Stuart
Center, Hugh
Young Republican National Federation (U.S.)
United States. Navy. Naval District, 12th
San Jose (Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.)
lawyer