Randall (Josephine D.) Junior Museum records, 1880-2014, bulk (bulk 1956-2002)

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Randall Museum
Abstract:
Collection contains administrative papers and publications of the Auxiliary of the Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum and later the Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum Society as well as records of the Museum. Also includes records, historical photographs, photo albums, and scrapbooks of the Museum.
Extent:
7 cartons, 3 oversize manuscript boxes, 1 flat oversize box. (11 Cubic Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum records (SFH 692), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes papers, scrapbooks, photo albums, flyers, and brochures related to the history of the Randall Museum. Also included are loose photographs and photo negatives.

Biographical / historical:

The Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum was the brainchild of Josephine Randall, San Francisco’s Superintendent of Recreation and the city’s first female department head, and Bert Walker, a naturalist at San Francisco’s Camp Mather. Originally named the “Junior Recreation Museum,” it opened in February 1937 on Ocean Avenue, occupying a building at the Old County Jail on Ocean Avenue after the jail relocated in 1934. The Junior Museum was the first recreation center of its kind in San Francisco and the third of its kind in the United States.

The Junior Museum fostered learning and camaraderie through clubs focused on subjects of interest within arts and sciences with adult leaders as guides. Programs were designed to provide opportunities for children to teach themselves with the Junior Museum eschewing formal classes. Clubs included the Science club, Rockminors club, and the Model Airplane club. The Junior Museum also operated its own print shop where The Junior Naturalist and The Third Dimension were written, printed, and published.

Having long since outgrown the facilities on Ocean Avenue, the Junior Museum was eventually relocated to its current location at Corona Heights where it reopened on September 23rd, 1951 thanks to the tireless efforts of Josephine Randall. In recognition of her visionary work as the city’s Superintendent of Recreation, the Recreation and Park Commission suspended its longstanding rule against naming buildings after living people and dedicated the new facility as the Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum.

Acquisition information:
Collection was received from the Recreation and Park Commission in 2016.
Processing information:

During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Paper clips have been removed, but some metal staples remain. Photo albums and scrapbooks remain on their original pages.

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged in 4 series. Series 1: Administrative Papers Series 2: Publications and Press Series 3: Events, Programs, and Exhibits Series 4: Historical Photographs

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum records (SFH 692), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website