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Hale (Kathleen Burke) Papers
AR.1962.001
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Gledhill Library
Title: Hale (Kathleen Burke) Papers
creator:
Hale, Kathleen Burke, Mrs., 1884-1958
source:
Kathleen Burke Hale Estate
Identifier/Call Number: AR.1962.001
Physical Description:
13 Linear Feet
Physical Description:
4,271 Photographic Prints
Date (inclusive): 1856-1959
Abstract: Kathleen Burke Hale was one of Santa Barbara's most distinguished citizens. The most decorated woman of World War I, Burke
received awards and medals from seven European nations. As a volunteer Red Cross worker during World War I she helped organize
emergency hospitals in war zones and created a climate of high morale among both soldiers and military officials. Burke repeated
her feat in the wake of World War II when she and her husband, artist Girard Hale, adopted and coordinated reconstruction
of the French village of Maillé, which had been leveled by the Nazis following their massacre of its inhabitants. In both
word and image, this collection documents Kathleen Burke Hale's life as a humanitarian, philanthropist, and world traveler
during the first half of the 20th century and across two world wars.
Language of Material: Although primarily in English, portions of the collection are in French.
The Kathleen Burke Hale Papers contain manuscripts, correspondence, diaries, photographs, and tributes spanning her life as
a relief worker during World War I, as the adoptive benefactor of a French village following World War II, and as a Santa
Barbara philanthropist throughout the first half of the twentieth century.
Born in London, England, and of Irish descent, Kathleen Burke Peabody Hale (1884-1958) was educated at the University of Oxford
and in Paris. Outliving three American husbands, Burke devoted her life to humanitarian causes during war and peace, in Europe
and in Santa Barbara.
In 1920, Burke married Frederick Forrest Peabody, the wealthy clothing manufacturer of popular Arrow brand shirts and collars.
Together the Peabody's involved themselves in reconstructon efforts following the 1925 Santa Barbara Earthquake and gave generously
to build Peabody Stadium for the High School. After Peabody's death in 1927, and her second husband's death on their honeymoon,
Burke married artist Girard Van Barkaloo Hale in 1930.
Designed by Francis Townsend Underhill, the Hales resided at Solana, one of Montecito's great estates, situated on Eucalyptus
Hill with views of both the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. Among her many civic activities, Kathleen Burke was involved
in the Junior League, Peabody School, and initiated a Santa Barbara Wolf Cubs program, the predecessor to Cub Scouts.
Contributing to efforts at home during World War II, the Hale's were instrumental in the reconstruction of their adoped French
village of Maillé. The Hales also resided for a time on the French Riviera in the 1950s when Girard Hale was appointed U.S.
consul general to Monaco. Kathleen Burke Hale passed away in 1958, just one month after Girard Hale's death following their
return from a trip to Europe.
The Kathleen Burke Hale papers are arranged in eight series:
1. World War I, 1915-1920
2. Peabody Years, 1920-1927
3. Hale Years, 1930-1958
4. World War II, 1940-1948
5. Awards, Honors and Tributes, 1898-1955
6. Personal life, 1906-1954
7. Photographs, 1856-1959
8. Solana architectural plans, 1936
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials were acquired from the Kathleen Burke Hale Estate.
The Kathleen Burke Hale papers were processed by Chris S. Ervin CA, during summer 2020.
[Identification of file], Kathleen Burke Hale Papers, AR-1962-001, Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa
Barbara, California.
Collection is open for research.
Property rights reside with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact
the Head Archivist of the Gledhill Library.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Humanitarianism
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Hale, Kathleen Burke, Mrs., 1884-1958
Peabody, Frederick Forrest, 1859-1927
Hale, Girard Van Barkaloo, 1886-1958
Kathleen Burke Hale Estate