Description
This collection contains the materials collected and created primarily by Marion Bell, dating from 1942 to 1978. The contents
are primarily watercolor paintings and woodblock prints of the Topaz Relocation Center, as well as a diary, articles, ration
books, and books.
Background
Marion and Lorne W. Bell lived in the Los Angeles area before World War II, and were sent to be administrators at Topaz Relocation
Center from September, 1942 to October, 1943. Marion was born February 7, 1900 or 1901 in California, and died September
21, 1992 in Claremont, California. Lorne W. Bell was born in Michigan to Canadian parents, on July 16, 1901, and died in
Los Angeles on March 14, 1984. Before Topaz, Lorne worked in various jobs in Los Angeles including a fitter at a ship yard
in the 1920s, and later a secretary and administrator at the YMCA until the early 1940s. The Bells had two children, Barbara
and Lorne W. Jr.
Extent
.4 linear feet (1 box)
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Collections
Management and Access Unit at the Japanese American National Museum (collections@janm.org).
Availability
By appointment only. Please contact the Collections Management and Access Unit (collections@janm.org). Advanced notice is
required.