Collection Guide
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1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake Collection
SFH 455
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Title: Collection on the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
Date (inclusive): 1989-1990
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 455
Physical Description:
6 cartons, 1 pamphlet box. Includes one audio tape.
(6.25 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection includes personal accounts of Bay Area residents during and after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, along with
original and photocopied ephemera. It also includes newspaper articles from the days and months following the earthquake.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
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.
[Identification of item], Collection on the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake (SFH 455), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco
Public Library.
The collection was amassed by the San Francisco History Center between 1989 and 1990.
Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco History Center's Subject and Biographical Files and to check the
catalog holdings of the San Francisco Public Library for related materials.
During processing, part of the collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some original folders
remain. Duplicate materials were removed when possible.
While serving as the City Archivist for the San Francisco Public Library at the time of the 1989 earthquake, Gladys Hansen
called for the public to donate their personal accounts to what she called the “1989 Earthquake Project”. Residents submitted
their personal accounts along with newspaper clippings, flyers, and various other materials. Library staff and volunteers
also contributed to the collection. At the time of the project Hansen had written a book about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
titled "Who perished: a list of persons who died as a result of the great earthquake and fire in San Francisco on April 18,
1906" which is often referred to in the collection.
The collection includes personal accounts of Bay Area residents during and after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Accounts
are from the perspective of both children and adults and are generally unpublished.
Personal accounts were submitted individually or as a class project by schools. Accounts submitted by schools include the
name of the student as well as the school, teacher and grade level. Individual accounts are filed alphabetically by last name.
Accounts submitted by class group are filed separately by school name. Accounts may be hand written, printed from computers
files, or photocopies.
The collection includes original ephemera and photocopies from the earthquake, newspaper articles from the days and months
following the earthquake, and resource materials relating to earthquake preparedness, relief and response.
The collection is arranged in five series: Series 1: Personal Accounts; Series 2: School Project - Personal Accounts; Series
3: Subject Files; Series 4: Newspaper Clippings; Series 5: Loma Prieta Earthquake Resource Materials
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Loma Prieta Earthquake, Calif., 1989.
Earthquakes -- California, Northern.