Louise Ward Watkins Papers, 1871-1974

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Summary

Abstract:
The collection consists of papers, diaries, and photographs related to the life and interests of California women's rights activist Louise Ward Watkins (1890-1974) and her family. Subject matter in the collection includes California politics; Japan and Japanese-American relations; her father, engineer George Clinton Ward (1863-1933); and the Watkins family.
Extent:
17 Linear Feet (24 boxes, 40 volumes)
Language:
The records are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Louise Ward Watkins Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of letters, manuscripts (including 23 diaries, 1915-74), documents, 17 scrapbooks, and photographs related to the life and interests of Louise Ward Watkins. Subject matter in the collection includes California politics; Japan and her continuing interest in Japanese-American relations; her father, engineer George Clinton Ward (1863-1933); and the Watkins family. There is also an unpublished autobiography of Louise Ward Watkins and ten pieces in the collection related to Los Angeles Times columnist and politician John Steven McGroarty (1862-1944).

Biographical / historical:

Louise Whipple Ward Watkins (1890-1974), a leader in women's rights, California politics, and Los Angeles organizations, came to California from New York with her family when she was fifteen years old. Louise studied dramatics in New York and law at the University of Southern California, and in 1915 she married Edward Francis Watkins. Louise Watkins was active in the cause of woman suffrage, women's clubs, the Japan American Society, and Republican politics. She served on several state commissions, founded the Southern California Republican Women (1935), and ran for the United States Senate in 1938

Acquisition information:

Gift of John F. Watkins, February 4, 1975

A small group of letters purchased from Dawson's Book Shop in April 1953, was added to the collection (see Correspondence series, Box 12, Folder 4).

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  1. Diaries
  2. Correspondence
  3. Manuscripts, addresses, broadcasts, poetry, etc.
  4. Photographs
  5. Mementos and scrapbooks
  6. Oversize materials
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

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]. Louise Ward Watkins 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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