SooHoo (David and Dora) Family Papers, 1895-1990s

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Summary

Title:
David and Dora SooHoo family papers
Dates:
1895-1990s
Abstract:
Documents, photographs, artifacts, and other materials related to David W. SooHoo, Dora SooHoo, and their families; David SooHoo's work with the Mei Wah Girls' Drum Corps; and Los Angeles Chinatown.
Extent:
6.26 Linear Feet (8 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English and Chinese.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. David and Dora SooHoo family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Primarily material related to David W. SooHoo (1911-1970), Dora SooHoo (1913-2001), and their families, including family documents, photographs, and artifacts. The collection also includes school notebooks, yearbooks, and other items related to David SooHoo's upbringing as a second-generation Chinese American in Los Angeles. David SooHoo served as director of the Los Angeles Mei Wah Girls' Drum Corps for many years, and the collection contains photographs, clippings, and correspondence related to the group, particularly around the World War II era. Also included are photographs, plans, and promotional material featuring Old Chinatown and New Chinatown, Chinese Presbyterian Church newsletters and anniversary booklets, and other items representing aspects of the Chinese American community in Los Angeles. The collection also contains written and printed Chinese documents that functioned as receipts, business records, essays, menus, and educational texts.

Biographical / historical:

David Winfield SooHoo (1911-1970) was born in Los Angeles in 1911, the son of Leung and Annie SooHoo. His brother was Peter SooHoo Sr., a prominent member of the Chinese American community in Los Angeles who was instrumental in the development of Los Angeles' New Chinatown in the 1930s. David SooHoo married Dora May Tom (1913-2001) on October 26, 1939 and the couple had two sons, Dennis and Gregory. The Mei Wah Club was an organization created by second-generation Chinese American women in 1931. Originally a basketball team, the group evolved into a charitable organization during the Sino-Japanese War period in the late 1930s, raising money for China war relief through bazaars, fashion shows, and theatrical dance productions. David SooHoo suggested that the Mei Wah members form a drum corps and perform at the 1938 Moon Festival parade, which was the first performance of the Los Angeles Mei Wah Girls' Drum Corps. Managed by David SooHoo, the group went on to perform at parades and other events, and competed in band and drill team competitions in Chinatown and the Los Angeles area.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Gregory David SooHoo and Debbie F. Lew SooHoo, July 2021. Gift of Patricia Ann Lem, September 2022.
Processing information:

Processed by Kelly Kress in January 2026.

Arrangement:

Arranged by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Kelly Kress
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-01-23 14:20:30 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. David and Dora SooHoo family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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