Armsby (Leonora Wood) Papers, 1920-1959

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Summary

Title:
Leonora Wood Armsby Papers
Dates:
1920-1959
Creators:
Armsby, Leonora Wood
Abstract:
Extent:
5 Boxes. 3 linear feet.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Leonora Wood Armsby Papers. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists mainly of autographed photographs of famous musicians who knew Mrs. Armsby during her long association with the San Francisco Symphony. There are also portrait photos and sculpture reproductions of her, in addition to her writings on music and the many citations to her from world-wide organizations. Lastly, the collection has some original artwork by Antonio Sotomayor and two watercolor prints from France.

Biographical / historical:

Mrs. Armsby was born in Springfield, Illinois, circa 1880. In 1898, she married George Newell Armsby (1876- ), a banker in Chicago. They moved to Hillsborough, California where she had a son and a daughter. Mr. Armsby was involved with the fruit packing and canning industries, and when his career took him to New York, Mrs. Armsby enrolled in the Walter Damrosch Institute to learn about music. Some compositions and lyrics she wrote during this time were published in a book called Birdland Melodies. Mrs. Armsby continued her studies of music in Paris at the Ecole Normale de Musique before settling permanently in Hillsborough in 1926. During her life, Leonora Wood Armsby was known in San Francisco society as the "First Lady of Music". From 1935-1953 she served first as Managing Director and then as President of the San Francisco Symphony Association. Her involvement with the Orchestra began in 1926 when, under her direction, the Philharmonia Society of San Mateo sponsored its first concert in the open-air Woodland Theatre. In 1935, she became the Managing Director and was responsible for engaging Pierre Monteux as the Symphony's conductor that same year. Leonora Wood Armsby died January 20, 1962.

Acquisition information:
The Leonora Wood Armsby Papers were donated to the San Francisco Performing Arts Library (now Museum of Performance + Design) on August 3, 1991 by George Paul Lechich, former City Librarian of Burlingame, California.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1920-1959
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Entire Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright varies by item.

Preferred citation:

Leonora Wood Armsby Papers. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Location of this collection:
2200 Jerrold Avenue
Suite T
San Francisco, CA 94124, US
Contact:
4157413531
info@mpdsf.org
Website