Perham Foundation Records
Finding aid created by History San Jose Research Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
History San Jose Research Library
2023
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, California 95112
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
http://www.historysanjose.org/
Title: Perham Foundation Records
Dates: 1968-2003
Collection Number: 2003-39
Creator/Collector:
Perham Foundation
Foothill Electronics Museum
Extent: Approximately 25 linear feet (36 boxes)
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Minimally processed administrative files of the Perham Foundation, received as part of the Perham Collection of Early Electronics
in 2003. The Perham Foundation operated the Foothill College Electronics Museum in Los Altos Hills, California, between 1973
and 1991.
Language of Material: English
The records are available to the public for research by appointment with the Curator of Library & Archives.
Property rights reside with History San Jose. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact History San Jose
Research Library.
[Identification of item]. Perham Foundation Records. Collection Number: 2003-39. History San Jose Research Library
Received in 2003 by History San Jose as part of the Perham Collection of Early Electronics
Biography/Administrative History
The Perham Collection of Early Electronics is the legacy of radio pioneer Douglas McDonald Perham (1887-1967), an early wireless
experimenter, radio broadcaster, and life-long collector.
Perham’s collection was acquired in 1963 by the Perham Foundation, a non-profit group made up of local electronics pioneers.
In 1969, the Foundation raised funds to construct the Foothill Electronics Museum at Foothill College in Los Altos, California.
The Museum, opened in 1973, was operated by the College until 1979 and by the Foundation and its many volunteers until its
closing in 1991. During that time, the Perham Foundation continued to collect objects, photographs, publications, and archival
collections.
After twelve years in temporary storage, the Perham Collection, including the Foundation's records, was transferred by the
Foundation to History San José in 2003.
Scope and Content of Collection
The administrative files of the Perham Foundation include personnel, membership, and acquisition records; correspondence,
public relations material, exhibit history, and documentation on the relationship between the Perham Foundation and Foothill
College, and subsequent travels of the collection after leaving Foothill.
Museum archives
Electronics--History
Nonprofit organizations
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills (Calif.)
Santa Clara County (Calif.)