Dennis (Jan) Papers, 1958-2021, bulk 1985-2019

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Summary

Title:
Jan Dennis Papers
Dates:
1958-2021, bulk 1985-2019
Creators:
Dennis, Jan and City of Manhattan Beach City Council
Abstract:
This collection contains material collected and authored by Jan Dennis regarding Manhattan Beach local politics and history. The majority of this collection contains Manhattan Beach City Council meeting minutes, agendas, memorandums, staff reports, and resolutions; and clippings, reports, flyers, brochures, and other documents regarding various events, locations, groups, and programs located in Manhattan Beach. Also included in this collection are clippings, reports, and other documents related to Manhattan Beach Unified School District; as well as a few booklets, reports, and other material related to education and South Bay Union High School District. Lastly, this collection contains copies of Jan Dennis' published works, such as "A Walk Beside the Sea", "Shadows on the Dunes"; "Manhattan Beach Fire Department"; and others.
Extent:
39 boxes and 39 Linear Feet (37 record storage cartons; 2 document cases; one oversized poster)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Jan Dennis Papers (1977-2020; bulk 1985-2019) contains 28 boxes and 28 linear feet of material collected and authored by Jan Dennis regarding Manhattan Beach local politics and history. The majority of this collection contains staff reports, and meeting minutes and agendas from the City of Manhattan Beach city council; and clippings related to various events, locations, groups, and programs in Manhattan Beach. Also included in this collection are copies of some of Dennis' published works on Manhattan Beach, and material related to Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Series I: City of Manhattan Beach is comprised of three subseries and includes: City of Manhattan Beach City Council Meeting minutes, memorandums, agendas, and staff reports; documents related to budgets, resolutions, ordinances; and other material. Series II: Reference Materials contains clippings, reports, brochures, memorandums, newsletters, Manhattan Beach General Plans, and other material related to various events, buildings, programs, establishments, and groups located in Manhattan Beach. Series III: Manhattan Beach Unified School District and Education Material contains documents and clippings related to Manhattan Beach Unified School District including documents related to Mira Costa High School and the district budget; as well as documents related to the South Bay Union High School District, Community Health Education Project and Child Safety/Abuse Prevention Program, and other educational reports, clippings, articles, and booklets. Series IV: Published Material contains books written or co-authored by Jan Dennis on topics related to Manhattan Beach and includes copies of "A Walk Beside the Sea"; "Shadows on the Dunes"; "Skirts Across the Sand", and others.

Biographical / historical:

Janet DeNike Dennis was raised and educated in the small New England town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. After graduating from Ridgefield High School, she attended Art Career School in New York City, which led to her initial work in newspaper advertising for JC Penney. Jan then segued into the graphic arts department of the publishing house, YEAR Inc., where she worked on the production of pictorial books and current event magazines.

In 1957, Jan and her husband, Stan, created Janstan Studio while living in Santa Monica, CA. Janstan Studio is a graphic arts business that Jan continues to operate. Two years later, the Dennis' moved to Manhattan Beach, CA., where Jan developed a rich passion for the town and its history. While raising their two children, Jan became actively involved in the community, volunteering for nearly every non-profit organization in Manhattan Beach including the local head start program, which eventually lead to her becoming the head of the Mira Costa PTA.

After serving on the Planning Commission, Jan was elected to the 1984 Manhattan Beach City Council, where she served as the second female mayor in the city's history from 1986-1987 and was also the president of the Chamber of Commerce. As she became more involved in the community, Jan found that her adopted hometown was filled with a fascinating history and realized there was a need to explore its heritage. She began researching the town and its citizens and shared what she learned in numerous magazine articles and nine books that were dedicated to the residents of Manhattan Beach. Her collection of materials is unparalleled in scope and has proven to be an invaluable resource for the community.

Jan has written nine books on Manhattan Beach as of 2020. Her first book, "A Walk Beside the Sea: A History of Manhattan Beach," was published in 1987; followed by "Shadows on the Dunes: An Architectural History of Manhattan Beach" (2001); "Manhattan Beach" (2001); "Manhattan Beach Police Department" (2003); "Manhattan Beach Pier" (2005); "Skirts Across the Sand: A History of Manhattan Beach Women" (2008); "Manhattan Beach Chronicles" (2012); "A Thread in the Tapestry: A History of Sepulveda Blvd. in Manhattan Beach" (2017); and "The History of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department" (2019). In 2006 she started the Manhattan Beach Heritage Conservancy to "recognize, preserve, and revitalize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Manhattan Beach" ("Manhattan Beach historical conservancy comes into 21st century"). Dennis is also a member of the Neptunian Woman's Club of Manhattan Beach, and the local historical society.

Jan has also been recognized with numerous awards including many Community Service Awards, Outstanding Service Award and Distinguished Service Award for the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, Medal of Valor Service Award, I Love MB City Council Commendation Service Award, the Lion's Club International's Citizen of the Year, Manhattan Beach Chamber's Rose and Scroll Award, El Camino College Distinguished Woman Award, and the 2013 Woman Of Distinction Award for California Assembly District 66. In 2016, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the City of Manhattan Beach, and in 2017 she received the Bob Meistrell Local Legend Award.

Sources: "Manhattan Beach : Dennis Becomes Mayor". 4 Sept. 1986, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-04-cb-13902-story.html

"About Jan Dennis." Jan Dennis - Manhattan Beach Historian, www.janstanstudio.com/jan-dennis-manhattan-beach-about.html

"Jan Dennis." Southbay, 9 Nov. 2017, southbay.goldenstate.is/jan-dennis/

"Manhattan Beach Historical Conservancy Comes into 21st Century." Easy Reader News, 30 Apr. 2016, easyreadernews.com/manhattan-beach-historical-conservancy-comes-21st-century/

Dailybreeze. "Former Mayor Jan Dennis Fell into Role as Manhattan Beach Historian." Daily Breeze, Daily Breeze, 6 Sept. 2017, www.dailybreeze.com/2012/12/15/former-mayor-jan-dennis-fell-into-role-as-manhattan-beach-historian/

"Jan Dennis Biography", Kristin Long, 2020.

"Community Service History", Kristin Long, 2020.

Community Service History
Date Event
1966-1967
Head Start Program volunteer
1968-1972
Member of the Woman's Auxiliary for the Manhattan Beach Little League
1968-1985
International Student Service Host Family
1968-1993
Member of the Chamber of Commerce
1969-1970
Member Bay Area Narcotic Roundtable
1969-1971
Coordinating Council Narcotic Representative
1969-1972
Member Juvenile Justice Committee
1969-1972
Created/organized First Living Christmas Tree. Decorating ceremony for small children. Tree still in Polliwog Park.
1969-1973
Member of the Coordinating Council
1970
Created PR campaign for the Police Department: "Smile at the Next Policeman"
Created PR for Drug committee: "Action Eye Opener"
"Community Service Award" — Manhattan Beach Police Department
"Commendation for Community Service" Chamber Of Commerce
1970-1971
President of the Manhattan Beach Little League Woman's Auxiliary
1970-1974
Created and published the "Dugout News" for the Manhattan Beach Little League
1972-1982
Member Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
1972-1973
2nd V.P. Coordinating Council
1974
Appointed to Commission for Manhattan Beach School District Educational Goals
"Outstanding Service Award" Chamber of Commerce
1974-1986
Co-founder and member of the Steering Committee for the Medal of Valor Awards Luncheons
1977
President Mira Costa PTA
1978
President and formed the "Mira Costa Circle" from the Mira Costa PTA
1979-1980
President Mira Coast Circle (PTA)
"Distinguished Service Award" – Chamber of Commerce 1979-1984
1979
Appointed to the Blue Ribbon Ad Hoc Committee for consolidation of Police & Fire Department
1981
Appointed to the Planning Commission
Appointed to the Ad Hoc Traffic Committee
1st V.P. Chamber of Commerce
Manhattan Beach profile, "Jan Dennis, Manhattan Renaissance Woman", in Beach Reporter
1982
President Chamber of Commerce
Member "Re-E1ection Campaign for Marilyn Ryan" Committee
Formed the Manhattan Beach Olympic Committee
1982-1984
Chairman of the Medal of Valor Awards Committee/Luncheon
1983
Created JPH Enterprises (Touring Company)
Member of the El Segundo Employers Association
1984
"Medal of Valor Service Award" for 10 years of dedication
1984-1988
Member of the City Council
1986-1987
Mayor City of Manhattan Beach
Chairman/ Founder of the 75th City Anniversary Committee
1986-2000
Member Historical Society
1987
Initiated Manhattan Beach FLAG and LAPEL PIN
Initiated Student Government Leadership Day Program for Mira Costa students
Researched, wrote and self-published a coffee table book, "A WALK BESIDE THE SEA", a history of Manhattan Beach containing 209 pages
1987-1989
Board of Directors Historical Society
1988
Member Neptunian Woman 's Club
Ran for Council and Lost
Founder/Member Manhattan Beach Residents Association
1988-1991
President Manhattan Beach Residents Association
1990-1991
1st V.P. president Coordinating Council
President Coordinating Council
Program Chairman Manhattan Beach Residents Association
1991
"Community Service Award" — Carnation Co. & Volunteer Center
1992-1993
Program Chairman Neptunian Woman's Club
1993
Worked on the book, "BLOW" author Bruce Porter
"Citizen of the Year" Lions Club International
"Certificate of Appreciation — Coordinating Council
1994-1996
Wrote for the Manhattan Beach Little League Roster
1996-1998
President Neptunian Woman's Club
1997
Created/Chairman "Envelope of Life" project
Developed the City's 85th display at the City Library. Subject: The Neptunian Woman's Club
1998
started new coffee table book, "SHADOWS ON THE DUNES" a history of Manhattan Beach Architecture
First "Bright Light" personality in "Beach Reporter"
"El Camino College Distinguished Woman Award" placed on the Women's Wall of Fame in Schauerman Library at the College
1999
First to be declared an "Icon" of Manhattan Beach by the "Beach Reporter"
2001
Signed contract with Arcadia Publishing for the adaptation of "A WALK BESIDE THE SEA". New title "Images of America: Manhattan Beach" .
"Appreciation of Donation" — Manhattan Beach Police Department
2002
Self-published "SHADOWS ON THE DUNES", 207 pages.
Researched & wrote "MANHATTAN BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT" for Arcadia Publishing
Donated "Life Shear Rescue Tool" to Fire Department
"Appreciation of Donation for Rescue Cutters" – Manhattan Beach Fire Department
2004
Researched new book "MANHATTAN BEACH PIER" for Arcadia Publishing
Developed and Chaired the "Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy"
2004-2005
"Certificate of Appreciation" – Home Instead Senior Care
2005
Researched and wrote, "MANHATTAN BEACH PIER", published by Arcadia Publishing
Donated a $14,000.00 Kiln to the Mira Costa High School Ceramic Department
2006
Wrote history of "THE BADMINTON CLUB" for the Club's 70th Anniversary
Started a 4-year scholarship for Sara Hilgendorf, who graduated from Mira Costa and went to UCLA
"Rose and Scroll Award" Chamber of Commerce and Don Knabe, Supervisor, 4th District
2006-2008
Researched, wrote, and self-published "Skirts Across the Sand", a 100-year history of Manhattan Beach Women
Had printed & published "Skirts Across The Sand"
2009
Chaired the Neptunian 100th Anniversary
Wrote "How Well Do You Know Your Town's History" for the "Manhattan Beach Sun" newspaper
2010
Member 100th City Anniversary Committee
Developed "Walking Tour" for Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy
Developed "Manhattan Beach History" Deck of Playing Cards
"El Camino College Distinguished Woman Award" — placed on the Women's Wall of Fame in Schauerman Library at the College .
2016
Distinguished Service Award City of Manhattan Beach
2017
Researched, wrote and published, "Thread in the Tapestry: A History of Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach"
Bob Meistrell Local Legend Award
2019
Researched, wrote and published, "The History of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department"
Acquisition information:
Donated by Jan Dennis, 2019 and 2020.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Karen Clemons
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-03-03 19:58:09 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection except where noted at folder-level.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website