Louise Ward Watkins Papers mssWatkins papers
Finding aid prepared by Virginia Rust in 1975.
The Huntington Library
© 2014
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated by Melissa Haley on August 23, 2023.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Louise Ward Watkins Papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssWatkins papers
Physical Description:
17 Linear Feet
(24 boxes, 40 volumes)
Date (inclusive): 1871-1974
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.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
Publication Rights
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.
Provenance
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).
Biographical Note
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
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).
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
-
George Clinton Ward Papers
(Call number: mssWard papers)
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following series:
- Diaries
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts, addresses, broadcasts, poetry, etc.
- Photographs
- Mementos and scrapbooks
- Oversize materials
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women civic leaders -- California, Southern -- Archives
Women -- Political activity -- California -- History -- Sources
Women political activists -- California, Southern -- Archives
Women -- Suffrage -- California
Women's rights -- United States
California -- Politics and government -- 1850-1950
Japan -- Foreign relations -- United States
United States -- Foreign relations -- Japan
Diaries -- California
Family papers -- California
Letters (correspondence)
Scrapbooks -- California
Diaries.
1915-1974
Physical Description: 23 Volumes
Scope and Contents
The dates on the covers of the diaries do not always accurately reflect the contents.
Correspondence.
1871-1917
Physical Description: 12 boxes
Box 1
Family correspondence.
1871-1910
Box 2
Family correspondence.
1911-1930
Box 3
Family correspondence.
1931-1935
Box 4
Family correspondence.
1936-1938
Box 5
Family correspondence.
1939-1942
Box 6
Family correspondence.
1943-1945
Box 7
Family correspondence.
1946-1949
Box 8
Family correspondence.
1950-1952
Box 9
Family correspondence.
1953-1957
Box 10
Family correspondence.
1958-1963
Box 11
Family correspondence.
1964-1970
Box 12
Family correspondence and other correspondence.
1971
Scope and Contents
This box contains family correspondence for 1971, as well as other correspondence (Folder 4). The other correspondence consists
of a small group of letters purchased from Dawson's Book Shop in April 1953, has been added to the Louise Ward Watkins Papers.
They contain the following letters to Louise Ward Watkins:
- Ballin, Hugo (1932, July 14)
- Blanding, Don [c. 1933?]
- Bond, Carrie Jacobs (1933) 2 letters
- Buff, Conrad and Mary (1932, July 20)
- Carr, Harry (1931-1935) 3 letters
- Durant, William James (1933, February 7)
- Forester, Arnold (1932, Oct. 26)
- Foley, James William ([c. 1933] Apr. 12)
- Gann, Dolly Curtis (1931, Nov. 23)
- Hyland, Adela Rogers [c. 1933]
- Johnson, Frank Tenney (1933, Nov. 5)
- Matthison, Edith Wynne (1931, Nov. 5)
- McGroarty, John Steven (1933-1939) 10 letters with 11 replies from Louise Ward Watkins
- Nagel, Conrad (1932, Aug. 4)
- McIntosh, Burr William (1938) 3 letters
- MacLean, R.D. (1939, Aug. 8)
- Norris, Kathleen (1938, June 28)
- Stevens, Etheman [c. 1933]
- Warde, Frederick (1929-1933) 5 letters
- Yaw, Ellen Beach (1932) 2 letters with 1 reply letter from Louise Ward Watkins
Manuscripts, addresses, broadcasts, poetry, etc.
Physical Description: 5 boxes
Box 13
Autobiography: Biographical information
Box 14
Manuscripts of articles, broadcasts, and speeches
Scope and Contents
Filed alphabetically by title: A-H
Box 15
Manuscripts of articles, broadcasts, and speeches
Scope and Contents
Filed alphabetically by title: I-Z
Box 16
Manuscripts of articles, broadcasts, and speeches
Scope and Contents
Includes: Address at banquet in honor of Los Angeles Mayor Frank L. Shaw, 1933. Addresses (others that were not contained
in her alphabetical file). Broadcasts (1938) campaign. Broadcasts (except 1938 campaign) filed in chronological order. Compositions
(school, 1904-1910?) Music (accompanied by readings) Poems by Louise Ward Watkins. Published works by Louise Ward Watkins.
Notes for speeches, etc.
Box 17
Miscellaneous
Scope and Contents
Includes: Barnes, Katherine (Watkins) miscellaneous items. Certificates for George Clinton Ward. Certificates for Louise Ward
Watkins. Christmas card list. Mission play- Playbill and contract for Louise Ward Watkins. Receipts, appointments, etc. Printed
material relating to Louise Ward Watkins.
Photographs
Physical Description: 3 boxes
Box 18, Folder 1
Barnes, Katherine (Watkins). (14 items)
Box 18, Folder 2
James, Rose Mary (Watkins) Cox. (1 item)
Box 18, Folder 3
McCann, Charlotte Elizabeth. (3 items)
Box 18, Folder 4
Ward, George Clinton. (20 items)
Box 18, Folder 5
Ward, George Clinton and Katherine Louise (Schweinsburg). (6 items)
Box 18, Folder 6
Watkins, Edward Francis and Louise Ward and their children. (118 items)
1920-1950?
Box 18, Folder 7
Watkins, Edward Francis and P.C.E.A. Convention Group. (2 items)
Box 18, Folder 8
Watkins, Edward Lancaster and his friends. (28 items + album cover)
Approximately 1875
Box 18, Folder 9
Watkins, George Clinton. (8 items)
1939-1970?
Box 18, Folder 10
Watkins, James David. (21 items)
1930-1970?
Box 18, Folder 11
Watkins, John Francis, 1930-1970? (3 items)
1930-1970?
Box 19, Folder 1
Early photographs of family and home. (21 items)
1890-1915?
Box 19, Folder 1a
Early photographs of family and home. (42 items)
1890-1915?
Box 19, Folder 2
Louise Ward Watkins. (19 items)
1890-1960?
Box 19, Folder 3
Miscellaneous photographs, including printed picture of Alvah Dunning, 8th lake Camp, Fulton Chain, N.Y., approximately 1890.
(19 items)
Box 19, Folder 4
Louise Ward Watkins receiving Medal of Order of the Precious Crown of Japan. (3 items)
1970 November 17
Box 19, Folder 5
Grandchildren, etc. (20 items)
Box 19, Folder 6
Travel snapshots of historical spots. (73 items)
Box 19, Folder 6a
Travel snapshots of historical spots including Appomattox and Lynchburg, South Carolina, Unidentified, and Saratoga, New York
(50 items)
1937 and undated
Box 19, Folder 7
Women's Suffrage March [in New York?] 1 item
1912?
Box 20, Folder 1
Album of studio card portraits.
1880s-1890s
Scope and Contents
Includes members of the Schweinsberg, Watkins, and Ward family. Photography studios chiefly located in Utica and Boonville,
New York.
Box 20, Folder 2
Album of photographs of family and a house, presumably in California.
1910s-1920s?
General
Similar to album in Box 21, Folder 4.
Box 21
Photograph albums
Scope and Contents
See also oversize folders of photographs and albums at the end of the collection
Box 21, Folder 1
Album of studio portraits of unidentified family and friends.
1910s?
Box 21, Folder 2
Album of snapshots of family, friends, and international travel.
Undated
Box 21, Folder 3
Album of cyanotypes chiefly of the town of Booneville, New York.
1909-1910
Box 21, Folder 4
Album of photographs of family and a house, presumably in California.
1910s-1920s?
General
Similar to album in Box 20, Folder 2.
Mementos and scrapbooks
Physical Description: 1 unit(1 box, 15 volumes)
Scope and Contents
The scrapbooks chiefly contain newspaper clippings from the 1930s.
Box 22
Mementos and small scrapbooks
Scope and Contents
Includes: Gavel from the Friday Morning Club, medal for the Third Class of the Order of the Precious Crown of Japan [MISSING],
medals from various organizations [MISSING], scrapbooks of clippings (2 small volumes, 1886-1917), volume: Hill, K. Ethel
"Turn of the Road" in appreciation to Louise Ward Watkins, 1935.
Volume 24
Scrapbook: Miscellaneous
1918-1925
Scope and Contents
Includes some World War I pieces of ephemera
Volume 26
Scrapbook: Anti-administration #1
Volume 27
Scrapbook: Anti-administration #2
Volume 28
Scrapbook: Personal
November 1930-June 1933
Volume 29
Scrapbook: Personal
June 1933-May 1934
Volume 30
Scrapbook: Personal
May 1934-November 1934
Volume 32
Scrapbook: Parole #2
November 1934-October 1935
Volume 33
Scrapbook: Personal
October 1935-June 1936
Volume 34
Scrapbook: Personal
June 1936-September 1937
Volume 35
Scrapbook: Personal and parole
September 1937-June 1938
Volume 36
Scrapbook: Personal and campaign
June 1938-March 1939
Volume 37
Scrapbook: Personal
March 1939
Volume 38
Scrapbook: Communism
1936
Oversize materials
Physical Description: 1 unit(8 folders, 2 volumes)
Box 24
Awards and honors
Scope and Contents
Folder contains
- 1. Los Angeles (Calif.) Resolution of Commendation to Louise Ward Watkins. 1970 August 26.
- 2. Japan Patent of Decoration for the Third Order of the Precious Crown for Louise Ward Watkins, 1970 [also an English translation].
- 3. Huntington Hall. Diploma of Graduation. 1907 June 7.
- 4. Southern California Republican Women. Certification of Appreciation. 1961 January 10.
Oversize photograph albums
Physical Description: 2 Volumes
Volume OV 1
Family album of snapshots
1900s-1910s?
Volume OV 2
Family album of snapshot
1900s-1910s?
Box 24
Oversize photographs
Physical Description: 7 folders
Box 24, Folder 1
Home of Dr. Samuel Johnson, London (1 item)
Box 24, Folder 2
Ward, George Clinton (6 items)
Box 24, Folder 3
Watkins, Edward Francis (2 items)
Box 24, Folder 4
Watkins, Edward Francis and Louise (Ward) and their children (5 items)
Box 24, Folder 5
Watkins, George Clinton (5 items)
Box 24, Folder 6
Watkins, Louis Ward (and group in which she appears) (10 items)
Box 23
Facsimiles
Scope and Contents
Facsimiles of box 20, box 21, oversize volumes 1 and 2, oversize photographs 1-7.