A guide to the Roger Olmsted Master's thesis, 1955 November 7
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (Bailey), February 2015 (OAC).
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
2015
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-7030
Fax: 415-556-3540
SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov
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A Guide to the Roger Olmsted Master's thesis
HDC1330
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service2015, National Park Service
Title: Roger Olmsted Master's thesis
Date: 1955 November 7
Identifier/Call Number: HDC1330 (SAFR 21393)
Creator:
Olmsted, Roger R.
Physical Description:
1 item.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: This item Roger Olmsted's Master's thesis (SAFR 21392, HDC 1330) is a typescript copy of his thesis from the University of
Nevada, titled "The Scow Schooners of San Francisco Bay, 1849-1949," dated 1955. It contains the original glossy photographs.
Olmsted's thesis was later published as "Scow Schooners of San Francisco Bay" in 1988. His wife, Nancy Olmsted, used this
copy when she was designing and adding text for the published version. The collection is open for use. Researchers should
consult the Park's reference staff regarding copyright restrictions.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include
the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter
experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide
please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.
Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], HDC1330 (SAFR 21393), Roger Olmsted Master's thesis, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-01659
These items were donated by a private individual to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
Roger Robertson Olmsted (September 9, 1927-August 6, 1981) was a historian, preservationist, writer and curator of the San
Francisco Maritime Museum. According to his obituary, Olmsted was "the guiding force behind the restoration of the schooner
C.A. THAYER, the steam schooner WAPAMA and the ferryboat EUREKA, all berthed at the Hyde Street Pier." Olmsted was a fifth-generation
San Franciscan and a graduate of the University of Nevada. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
As a graduate student, Olmsted researched an indigenous type of sailing freighter, the San Francisco Bay scow schooner. While
studying for his Master's degree, Olmsted was offered the curatorship of the Maritime Museum in San Francisco. He wrote several
books on Bay Area history, often in collaboration with his wife, Nancy. The couple also served as historical and cultural
resources consultants in the San Francisco Bay Area; their work included projects on the city's waterfront. Other posts held
by Olmsted included editor of American West magazine, the official journal of the Western History Association, and the Sierra
Club Bulletin, and director of publications for the California Historical Society. Olmsted collaborated with Gordon Ashby
to create the Oakland Museum's History Division and, in 1969, he was appointed curator of that division. He also helped identify
the remains of the historic Gold Rush-era sailing vessels when they were unearthed at construction sites along the San Francisco
waterfront.
-Biographical material largely taken from Olmsted's obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle, August 8, 1981, p. 14.
This item Roger Olmsted's Master's thesis (SAFR 21392, HDC 1330) is a typescript copy of his thesis from the University of
Nevada, titled "The Scow Schooners of San Francisco Bay, 1849-1949," dated 1955. It contains the original glossy photographs.
Olmsted's thesis was later published as "Scow Schooners of San Francisco Bay" in 1988. His wife, Nancy Olmsted, used this
copy when she was designing and adding text for the published version. The collection is open for use. Researchers should
consult the Park's reference staff regarding copyright restrictions.
This is a collection of a single item.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Scow schooners--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Shipping--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Olmsted, Roger R., 1927-1981
Theses