Albert Zoraster Collection, 1948-1979, bulk 1951-1979

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Summary

Creators:
Zoraster, Albert
Abstract:
A resident of the San Fernando Valley from 1920 to the mid-1970s, Albert Zoraster devoted much of his life to improving the quality of services in the community, particularly in the areas of transportation and municipal services. An active committee volunteer, Mr. Zoraster worked with the Los Angeles City Board of Education, the Mayor's Valley Transportation Committee, Los Angeles City Department of Airports, Valley Presbyterian Hospital, and California State University, Northridge. The Albert Zoraster Collection documents various aspects of Zoraster's civic career, covering such topics as Birmingham High School, city planning, land use, the proposed Malibu Freeway Project, transportation in the Valley, and the development of the Van Nuys Airport.
Extent:
1.51 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

The Albert Zoraster Collection documents various aspects of Zoraster's civic career, covering such topics as Birmingham High School, city planning, land use, the proposed Malibu Freeway Project, transportation in the Valley, and the development of the Van Nuys Airport. The collection is especially conducive to the study of legislative lobbying techniques. The records date mostly from 1948-1979, with the majority of records dating after 1951, and includes correspondence, maps, minutes, newspaper clippings, photographs, press releases, reports, resolutions, and speeches. Of particular interest are the files pertaining to the Malibu Freeway controversy, issues surrounding the growth of San Fernando Valley Airport and the Van Nuys Airport, studies of population and housing in the San Fernando Valley, the development of transportation systems in the San Fernando Valley, and San Fernando Valley's early attempt to secede from Los Angeles County in 1976. The files are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, and chronologically within.

Biographical / historical:

As a resident of the San Fernando Valley from 1920 to the mid-1970s, Albert Zoraster devoted much of his life to improving the quality of services in the community, particularly in the areas of transportation and municipal services. An active committee volunteer, Mr. Zoraster worked with the Los Angeles City Board of Education, the Mayor's Valley Transportation Committee, Los Angeles City Department of Airports, Valley Presbyterian Hospital and California State University, Northridge.

From 1954 to 1975, he served as the director of the West Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce, and served as president of the organization from 1958-1959, again from 1962-1963 and again in 1965. Mr. Zoraster was also actively involved with California State University, Northridge, serving as president of the CSUN Presidents Club from 1971-1973, a member and trustee of the CSUN Foundation in 1973-1974, and a member of the CSUN Advisory Club from 1973-1975. Some of his contributions to CSUN include the establishment of the Zoraster Pioneer Scholarship Fund and the Zoraster Endowment for Adaptive Physical Education, as well as a number of monetary donations to CSUN's Urban Archives Center.

Mr. Zoraster was a member and leader of several Valley rotary clubs and chambers of commerce including the Van Nuys Rotary Club which he was a charter member of from 1954-1975, and the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce which he was a member of from 1928-1975. He also served on many advisory committees for the improvement of the Valley, most notably, the Industrial Association of the San Fernando Valley [now the Valley Industry and Commerce Association]. He received various civic awards, including the prestigious Fernando Award in 1975 for his philanthropy. Zoraster continued to donate his time to Valley causes throughout his retirement until his death after a long battle with cancer in April 1995.

Acquisition information:
Albert Zoraster, 08/05/1980
Processing information:

Robert G. Marshall, Claire C. LaFia; November 1985

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Maps
Documents
Photographs

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
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