Chamlee (Helen) Collection, 1933-1991

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Summary

Title:
Helen Chamlee Collection
Dates:
1933-1991
Creators:
Chamlee, Helen
Abstract:
This collection contains the personal papers, written works, and subject files of Helen Chamlee, a botanist at the San Diego Natural History Museum in the 1970s.
Extent:
4.5 Linear feet (9 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Helen Witham Chamlee Collection, MS 303, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains Chamlee’s personal papers and writings as well as her subject files. Her writings include manuscripts of articles and her weekly newspaper column, “Canyon Trails.” The bulk of the collection contains subject files maintained by Chamlee. Most subjects pertain to botany, native plants, parks and canyons in San Diego County and other California locations, and fauna in relation to botany. The subject files often contain newspaper and magazine articles, brochures, and other types of publications in addition to Chamlee’s own notes pertaining to the subject. A large subject area focuses on Balboa Park and especially Florida Canyon and the efforts made to designate it as a native plant preserve. Field trip plans and handouts from the Natural History Museum are also well represented.

Biographical / historical:

Born Helen Vallejo in 1908, Chamlee was a native San Diegan who was dedicated to botany, especially native species. A graduate of San Diego State University, she joined the staff at the San Diego Natural History Museum in 1969. After seven years in the Botany Department, Chamlee transferred to the Educational Activities Department and remained there for the duration of her career. She led countless field trips to parks, mountains, and deserts of the region, gave lectures on native plants, participated in workshops, seminars, and trainings. She developed at least 14 nature trails in San Diego County. Perhaps her greatest achievement while at the Natural History Museum was securing Florida Canyon in Balboa Park as a native plant preserve. She is also responsible for creating the museum’s naturalist guide group, the Canyoneers.

Chamlee’s passion for native plants reached beyond her role at the Natural History Museum. She served as Botanical Editor for California Garden magazine, and was a contributing editor to Fremontia. She wrote a weekly column, “Canyon Trails,” that appeared in the Evening Tribune in the late 1970s, and published a book on the ferns of San Diego County. Chamlee was also a charter member of the California Native Plant Society, serving as President of the San Diego Chapter for two years, and was later honored as a Fellow. Her influence and contributions in the field were further recognized in 1977 when Chamlee received the honor award from the California Council of Landscape Architects. Additionally, a native plant garden at the Wild Animal Park (now Safari Park) was named after her. Chamlee developed a native botanic garden on her own two-acre property —dubbed Canyon Trails—and opened it once each year to public view.

Helen Chamlee died in 1982.

Acquisition information:
Helen Chamlee’s files were given to her friend, Carol Greentree. Greentree later donated them to the San Diego History Center along with her own files and those of Jean Marie Consigny Putman—all three focusing on botany.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Frank Sweeney in 2014.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two series:

Series I: Personal Papers;

Series II: Subject Files.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Date Prepared:
August 18, 2016
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2016-08-22T09:56-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Helen Witham Chamlee Collection, MS 303, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website