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Finding aid to the Helen Holdredge Collection, 1849-1979
SFH 36
SFH 36
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Table of contents
Title: Helen Holdredge Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1849-1979
Date (bulk): 1951-1972
Collection Identifier: SFH 36
Creator:
Holdredge, Helen O'Donnell
Physical Description:
12.0 boxes
(6.0 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection contains research materials and draft manuscripts for Holdredge's books on Mary Ellen Pleasant, Thomas and
Teresa Bell, Lola Montez, Isaiah W. Lees, and Lillie Hitchcock Coit. It also includes some correspondence about her research
and speaking engagements, as well as photographs and some realia.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance. Please call the San Francisco History
Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item], Helen Holdredge Collection (SFH 36), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
The Helen Holdredge Collection was donated to The San Francisco Public Library by Holdredge in several accessions from 1971
through 1982.
Researchers are encouraged to also see the San Francisco Public Library's ephemera files on Mary Ellen Pleasant, Lola Montez,
Isaiah Lees, and Lotta Crabtree. It is possible that some of Holdredge's collected newspaper articles may have been incorporated
into these files.
For many years the collection was divided into 2 major groupings (the Mary Ellen Pleasant Collection and the Lola Montez Collection)
with all additional accessions organized as stand-alone collections, and with photographs separated to the San Francisco Historical
Photograph collection according to subject. In 2013, the library reintegrated all of the smaller collections to form a single
Helen Holdredge Collection that documents her research and writing, in addition to the primary sources that she collected.
Many of the items have a number assigned by Holdredge. These numbers have been noted on folders but not within the finding
aid.
Helen Douglas O'Donnell Holdredge is the author of several books on noteworthy and notorious San Franciscans. She was born
in Duluth, Minnesota, on September 17, 1898, the daughter of Patrick J. and Martha Archer (Simpson) O'Donnell. Helen was a
student at the University of Oregon, 1923-1926; and was a member of Theta Sigma Phi. She trained as an opera singer and debuted
in concert in 1919. She performed with various opera companies through 1924. She was also active in theater in Laguna Beach
and Sacramento.
The primary subjects of Holdredge's books are Mary Ellen Pleasant, Lola Montez, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, Thomas Frederick Bell
and Teresa Percy Bell, and Isaiah Wrigley Lees. Holdredge's books are generally quite accessible but have come under criticism
for their lack of specific documentation. Her books include:
The House of the Strange Woman (San Carlos, Calif.: Nourse, [1961]),
Mammy Pleasant (New York: Putnam, [1953]; republished San Carlos, Calif.: Nourse, 1961),
Firebell Lillie (New York: Meredith Press, [1967]),
Lola Montez (London: Alvin Redman, [1957]),
Mammy Pleasant's Cookbook (San Francisco: 101 Productions, [1970]),
Mammy Pleasant's Partner (New York: Putnam, [1954]), and
The Woman in Black: the life of Lola Montez (New York: Putnam, [1955]).
Helen married Claire Parker Holdredge in 1926 and the couple lived in Sacramento, California. They had two children. Claire
died on January 28, 1961; Helen died on March 19, 1986.
The collection contains research materials and draft manuscripts for Holdredge's books on Mary Ellen Pleasant, Thomas and
Teresa Bell, Lola Montez, Isaiah W. Lees, and Lillie Hitchcock Coit. It also includes some correspondence about Holdredge's
research and speaking engagements, as well as photographs and some realia.
The largest series are the Writings and the Research Files for Mary Ellen Pleasant. The first contains book drafts. But is
also includes notes on writing style, with particular references to the Brontes, and on how to convey a story. In addition,
the Interview books in the Mary Ellen Pleasant subseries contain several references to lawyer John McNab's recommendations
for emending drafts of the book "Beware of Mammy Pleasant" (published as
Mammy Pleasant).
The Pleasant subseries includes several primary documents by Mary Ellen Pleasant and Teresa Bell. Several of these documents,
most especially the Bell diaries, include Holdredge's tabbed entries with her notes in pencil on important points for her
books. Holdredge's research on Mary Ellen Pleasant includes material on the experience of African-Americans in the United
States, specifically San Francisco, and the work of abolitionists.
The collection is arranged into five series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Writings; Series 3. Research; Series 4. Photographs;
and Series 5. Realia.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bell, Teresa, d. 1922
Bell, Thomas Frederick, 1819 or 20-1892
Coit, Lillie Hitchcock, 1843-1929
Lees, Isaiah W., 1830-1902
Montez, Lola, 1818-1861
Pleasant, Mary Ellen, 1814-1904