Leonora Wood Armsby Papers
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Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
2022
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Title: Leonora Wood Armsby Papers
Dates: 1920-1959
Collection Number: 991.071
Creator/Collector:
Armsby, Leonora Wood
Extent: 5 Boxes. 3 linear feet.
Repository:
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
San Francisco, California 94124
Abstract: Leonora Wood Armsby (1880-1962) was the Managing Director and then President of the San Francisco Symphony Association from
1935-1953. With Pierre Monteux, Armsby revitalized the San Francisco Symphony in 1934. This collection includes art works,
awards, books, clippings, press materials, writings, a reel-to-reel audiotaped concert, and artifacts such as an inscribed
music stand and phonograph player from Pierre Monteux. Of special note are more than 62 autographed photographs of prominent
musicians and personalities.
Language of Material: English
Entire Collection is open for research.
Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright
varies by item.
[Identification of item]. Leonora Wood Armsby Papers. Collection Number: 991.071. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing
Arts Library
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.
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Symphony orchestras
Theaters--California
Monteux, Pierre, 1875-1964
Sotomayor, Antonio
Philharmonia Society of San Mateo
San Francisco Symphony