The Margaret N. Palmer Collection of Pacificulture Foundation Papers
Collection processed and description prepared by Bridget Loera
Pasadena Museum of History
Research Library and Archives
470 West Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91103-3594
Phone: (626) 577-1660, Ext. 13
Fax: (626) 577-1662
Email: research@pasadenahistory.org
http://www.pasadenahistory.org
2013
Note
©2013 Pasadena Museum of History. All rights reserved.
The Margaret N. Palmer Collection of the Pacificulture Foundation Papers
Collection number: L2013-07-18
Title: The Margaret N. Palmer Collection of the Pacificulture Foundation Papers
Dates: 1955-1991
Bulk: 1960-1970
Extent:
13 Boxes
Repository:
Pasadena Museum of History
Research Library and Archives
470 West Walnut Street
Pasadena, California 91103-3594
Languages:
English
Administrative Information:
Acquisition Information:
Personal and professional papers created and collected by Margaret N. Palmer were gifted to the Pasadena Museum
of History by her family.
Accruals:
Additional materials may be added to this collection as donations are received.
Access:
Access: Collections are open to the public for research. Use is restricted by rules intended to protect
and preserve the materials in good condition for the future. For additional information please contact the
Pasadena Museum of History.
Publication Rights:
Use of the materials is governed by all applicable copyright law. The Pasadena Museum of History reserves
the right to restrict any materials from reproduction at any time. Property rights reside with the Pasadena
Museum of History. The Museum's physical ownership of the materials in its collection does not imply ownership
of copyright. It is the user's responsibility to resolve any copyright issues related to the use and distribution
of reproduced materials. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Pasadena Museum of
History.
Preferred Citation:
Margaret N. Palmer Collection of Pacificulture Foundation Papers. Gift of Margaret N. and Everett A. Palmer. Courtesy
of the Research Library and Archives at the Pasadena Museum of History.
Biography/Organization History
Biographical Note:
Margaret Ann Niedringhaus (Peg Palmer) was born at her family home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
on September 6, 1915. Peg attended Thurston School and studied art at Carnegie Tech. She later specialized in Art History
and Design at Parsons in New York. Upon completion Peg worked for Bulletin Index, a women’s magazine in Pittsburgh. She
married Everett Arthur Palmer, Jr. in 1941 and started a family shortly thereafter. In 1946, they moved to Pasadena,
California and settled into the Linda Vista area where they enjoyed an active life within the community.
Peg inherited a love for the arts and expressed an unending commitment to community-building projects. She played an
instrumental role in developing art councils and civic committees throughout the San Gabriel Valley. She is, perhaps,
most recognized for her efforts to help establish the Pacificulture Foundation,(PCF) now
the Pacific Asia Museum, (PAM) in Pasadena, California. Peg Palmer, and her fellow board members,
created an institution that promoted mutual respect and understanding through art expressions from Asia and the Pacific
Islands. She believed that an appreciation of foreign cultures could serve as a creative force to forming a more harmonious
world. Peg Palmer is a founding board member of the Pacificulture Foundation and served as president
from 1970 to 1971.
Historical Note:
The Pacific Asia Museum has served the city of Pasadena since 1971 as a vibrant
center for learning and remains devoted to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Its origins date to 1960,
when a progressive group of southern California residents sought to promote intellectual understanding through the
preservation of art and culture. The group adopted the name Pacificulture Foundation to represent the
flow of ideas and influences across the Pacific. They prospered under creative leaders and sponsors who hosted diverse
exhibitions and programs in various venues throughout Pasadena.
As PCF advanced, they looked to Grace Nicholson’s iconic Chinese imperial palace-style building for a permanent residence.
The City of Pasadena acquired the building in 1943 under the condition that it remains a center for culture and education.
The proviso made the Pacificulture Foundation an ideal candidate for residency. After much petitioning,
the City of Pasadena offered PCF a lease. On the evening of October 28, 1971 the director and Board of
Trustees officially dedicated the Grace Nicholson Building to the Pacificulture Foundation and Asia
Museum. In 1979, the Pacificulture Foundation changed its name to the Pacific Asia Museum.
The traditions set forth by the founding members established the Pacific Asia Museum as an extraordinary place for scholarship,
diplomacy and art. It remains committed to exploring the arts and celebrating cultural traditions of Asia and the Pacific
Islands
through dynamic exhibitions, seminars, and festivals.
Abstract/Scope and Content:
The Margaret N. Palmer Collection of Pacificulture Foundation Papers covers a range of institutional records and activities
during the formative years of the Pacificulture Foundation. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1960 through the 1970s.
It
consists of administrative records, correspondence, publicity, exhibition brochures, photographs, and ephemera. A complementary
collection is housed at the Pacific Asia Museum.
Key to Arrangement/Container List:
The collection consists of material created and collected by Margaret N. Palmer and it is organized according to an
organizational chart for the Pacificulture Foundation. It is divided into five series with a sub-series of relevant
dependent entities. The collection arrangement is listed below:
| Series: |
Box |
| |
|
|
Margaret N. Palmer (Peg Palmer), 195- - 2011
|
1 |
|
History, 1955-1970s
|
2 |
|
Administration - Pacificulture Foundation, 1960s-1990s
|
3-9 |
| Board of Directors |
|
| Grace Nicholson Building |
|
| Development |
|
| Membership |
|
| Volunteers |
|
| Communications |
|
| Publicity |
|
|
Humanities – Pacificulture, 1960s-1980s
|
10-12 |
| Library |
|
| Council & Committees |
|
| Programs |
|
| Tours |
|
|
Arts – Asia Museum, 1960s-1980s
|
13 |
| Exhibitions |
|
| Acquisitions & Operations |
|
Controlled Access Headings:
Personal Names:
Margaret N. Palmer (Peg Palmer)
Lennox Tierney
David Kamansky
Sofia Adamson
Nancy Wheat
Jae Carmichael
Grace Nicholson
Sujata & Asoka
Elise Grilli
John Crowley
Corporate Names:
Pacificulture Foundation
Pacific Asia Museum
Grace Nicholson Building
Pasadena Sister City
Pasadena Art Museum
Pasadena Society of Artists
Place Names:
California
Pasadena, California
Series I:
Margaret N. Palmer (Peg Palmer)
1951-2001
Physical Description: Box 1
Scope and Content Note
The Peg Palmer series represents a range of biographical material for Margaret N. Niedringhaus.
She is a founding director of the Pacificulture Foundation and served as president from 1970-1971.
Folder 1
Handwritten notes/research
Folder 2
Handwritten notes/research
Folder 3
Correspondence – Pacific Asia Museum
Folder 4
Correspondence – Pacific Asia Museum
Folder 7
Pacific Asia Museum, miscellaneous
Folder 8
Precepts from the Pacific
Folder 9
Pasadena Sister City, Mishima, Japan
Folder 14
"Mima’s Spitituality"(Peg Palmer)
Folder 16
PTA Cultural Arts Program
Folder 19
Pasadena Centennial Committee
Series II:
History
1955-1970s
Physical Description: Box 2
Scope and Content Note
The History series contains videos, correspondence, newsletters, research notes,
photographs, and ephemera documenting the history of the Pacificulture Foundation
and its founding directors. Highlights include video recordings of Lennox Tierney,
David Kamansky, John Crowley, Peg Palmer, Sofia Adamson, and Nancy Wheat. Video
transcripts are housed at the Pacific Asia Museum.
Folder 1
Pacificulture Foundation & Pacificulture-Asia Museum
Folder 2
Pacificulture Foundation & Pacificulture-Asia Museum
Folder 3
Correspondence – Pacificulture Foundation, 1960s-70s
Folder 4
Founding Director – Sofia Adamson
Folder 5
Founding Director – Jae Carmichael
Folder 6
Founding Director – Lennox Tierney
Folder 7
Director – David Kamansky
Folder 8
Founding Directors – Photographs
Folder 9
Pacificulture Foundation & Pacificulture-Asia Museum
Folder 10
Pacificulture Foundation & Pacificulture-Asia Museum
Folder 11
Pacificulture Foundation & Pacificulture-Asia Museum
Video 1
Pacific Asia Museum "Founders Interviews" Lennox Tierney
Video 2
Pacific Asia Museum "Founders Interviews" David Kamansky
Video 3
Pacific Asia Museum "Founders Interviews" John Crowley
Video 4
Pacific Asia Museum "Founders Interviews" Peg Palmer
Video 5
Pacific Asia Museum "Founders Interviews" Sofia Adamson, Nancy Wheat
Series III:
Administration, Pacificulture Foundation
1960s-1990s
Physical Description: Box 3-9
Scope and Content Note
Administration represents a range of institutional activities during the formative
years of the Pacificulture Foundation/Pacific Asia Museum. Highlights include records
for human resources and minutes for the Board of Directors.
Subseries:
Board of Directors
Box 3, Folder 1
Board of Directors, Records, 1960-1970
Folder 4
Board Meeting Minutes, 1970-1974
Folder 5
Board Meeting Minutes, 1975-1976
Folder 6
Board Meeting Minutes, 1977-1979
Folder 7
Board Meeting Minutes, 1980-1981
Folder 8
Board Meeting Minutes, 1982
Folder 9
Board Meeting Minutes, 1983
Folder 10
Board Meeting Minutes, 1984
Folder 11
Board Meeting Minutes, 1984-1985
Folder 12
Board Meeting Minutes, 1986
Box 4, Folder 1
Board Meeting Minutes, 1987
Folder 2
Board Meeting Minutes, 1988
Folder 3
Board Meeting Minutes, 1989-1990
Folder 4
Board Meeting Minutes, 1991-
Subseries:
Grace Nicholson Building, 1968-1971
Folder 11
Acquisition – Correspondence, 1960s
Folder 12
Correspondence – City of Pasadena, 1960-1970s
Folder 13
Correspondence – Grace Nicholson Building, 1970s
Folder 14
Handwritten notes on acquisition, by Peg Palmer, 1960-70s
Folder 15
Acquisition Records, 1960s
Folder 4
Dedication – Photographs, 1971
Folder 7
National Register of Historical Places
Folder 9
Appraisal of 46 North Los Robles Avenue
Folder 10
Maintenance & Restoration, 1970s
Folder 11
Correspondence—Restoration & Maintenance
Subseries:
Human Resources, 1970s-1980s
Box 5, Folder 15
Organizational Chart, 1970s-1980s
Folder 16
Employee Expectations & Responsibilities, 1970s
Folder 18
Schedules & Compensation, 1970s
Subseries:
Administration-Financial, 1960s-1990s
Box 6, Folder 1
Income & Expenses, 1971-1977
Folder 5
Assets & Liabilities—PCF, prepared by David McFadden, 1970
Folder 6
Assets & Liabilities, 1980s
Folder 7
Assets & Liabilities, 1980s
Folder 8
Accounts Payable, 1960s-1970s
Folder 9
Receipts & Invoices, 1960-1970s
Folder 10
Balance Sheets—PCF, 1970s-1980s
Folder 4
National Endowment for the Humanities, 1970s
Folder 5
Collectors Gallery, 1970s
Folder 6
Collectors Gallery—Financial History, 1970s
Folder 7
Collectors Gallery—Correspondence, 1960s-1970s
Folder 8
Collectors Gallery—Correspondence, 1970s-1980s
Folder 9
Collectors Gallery—Publicity
Folder 10
Collectors Gallery—Photographs
Subseries:
Communications, 1960s-1990s
Box 7, Folder 13
Correspondence, 1960-1970
Folder 14
Correspondence, 1960-1970
Folder 16
Correspondence, 1980s-1990s
Folder 5
Mailing lists, 1972 (folder 1 of 2)
Folder 6
Mailing lists, 1972 (folder 2 of 2)
Subseries:
Administration—Publicity, 1960s-1980s
Box 8, Folder 7
Press Releases, 1960s-1970s
Folder 9
Newspaper & radio media, 1970s
Folder 13
Awards & Recognition, 1970s
Folder 14
Awards & Recognition, Phoenix Award
Subseries:
Membership, 1960s-1970s
Folder 4
Correspondence, 1960-1970
Folder 6
Friends—Correspondence, 1960s-1970s
Cards
"Original Pacificulture Foundation Membership list"
Series IV:
Humanities
1960s-1980s
Physical Description: Boxes 10-12
Scope and Content Note
Humanities represent the various groups, councils, and programs of the Pacificulture
Foundation/Pacific Asia Museum. The series is organized into categories according to the
organizational chart for the PCF.
Subseries:
Councils & Committees, 1970s-1980s
Folder 3
Docent Council, handbook, (1978, 1981)
Folder 4
Docent Council, education & training, 1980s
Binder
Docent Council, training 1975
Folder 6
Docent Council, 1970s-1980s
Folder 8
Docent Council—Correspondence, 1975-1985
Folder 10
Ethnic Arts Council, 1978
Folder 11
Service Council, 1970s-1980s
Folder 12
Culinary Arts Council, 1970s-1980s
Folder 13
Philippine Arts Council, 1970s
Folder 14
Himalayan Arts Council, 1970s
Folder 15
Chinese Arts Council, 1983, 1985, 1988
Folder 2
Nominating Committee, 1970s
Folder 3
Exhibition Committee, 1974-1975
Folder 7
Japan Arts Council, 1970s
Folder 8
Indonesia Arts Council, 1978-1988
Folder 9
Pacific Islands Arts Council
Folder 10
Pakistan Arts Council, 1991
Folder 11
Principal Committees, 1981-1986
Subseries:
Programs, 1960s-1980s
Box 11, Folder 12
Calendar of Events, 1960s-1970s
Folder 13
Correspondence, 1965-1970
Folder 15
Programs—miscellaneous, 1960-1970
Folder 16
Publicity—newspaper, 1970s
Folder 17
Pacificulture Festival, 1961
Folder 18
Pacificulture Festival—Correspondence, 1961
Folder 19
Pacificulture Festival—Correspondence, 1961
Folder 20
Pacificulture Festival—Photographs
Folder 21
Pacificulture Festival—Publicity
Folder 22
Open House—Correspondence, 1970
Folder 23
Opening Celebration, 1971
Folder 24
50th Anniversary of Grace Nicholson Building, 1976
Folder 25
Festival of the Autumn Moon, 1981-1991
Box 12, Folder 1
Festival of the Autumn Moon—Publicity
Folder 13
India—Sujata &Asoka, 1960s
Folder 14
India—Sujata & Asoka, publicity & correspondence
Folder 15
The Theatre Company, 1970s
Folder 18
Travel—Correspondence, 1970s
Folder 20
Travel—China-Tibet 1983—Photographs
Folder 22
Education—Publicity, 1970s
Folder 23
Programs—Photographs, 1960s
Folder 24
Programs—Photographs, 1970s
Folder 25
Programs—Photographs, 1980s-1990s
Series V:
Arts
1960s-1980s
Physical Description: Box 13
Scope and Content Note
Arts represent the exhibitions, acquisitions, and collections of the Asia Museum. Highlights
include lists of exhibition schedules and lending institutions.
Subseries:
Exhibitions, 1960s-1980s
Box 13, Folder 1
General Exhibitions, 1970s
Folder 6
Captain Cook—Publicity, 1978
Folder 9
Han & T’ang Murals—Correspondence
Folder 10
Han & T’ang Murals—Publicity
Folder 16
Pasadena Society of Artists, 1970s
Subseries:
Acquisitions & Operations
Box 13, Folder 19
Acquisitions & Appraisal, 1985
Folder 21
Operations & Financial Statements, 1970s
Folder 24
Elise Grilli Collection, 1960s
Folder 25
Elise Grilli Collection, 1960s
Folder 26
Elise Grilli Collection—Correspondence, 1960s
