Finding aid for the China Society of Southern California records 3311

Sarah Casone

USC Libraries East Asian Library

2018 May

Doheny Memorial Library

3550 Trousdale Parkway

Los Angeles, California 90089-1825

URL: http://libraries.usc.edu/locations/east-asian-library

Contributing Institution: USC Libraries East Asian Library

Title: China Society of Southern California records

Creator: China Society of Southern California

Identifier/Call Number: 3311

Physical Description: 5 Linear Feet 6 boxes and 1 oversize folder

Date (inclusive): 1935-2015

Abstract: The China Society of Southern California was founded in 1935 as a non-profit cultural organization and is the oldest Sino-American organization of its kind in the United States. The records of the China Society consist primarily of correspondence, board meeting minutes, the Bulletin of the China Society, and financial records. There are also materials surrounding events held by both the China Society and neighboring organizations, foundation documents, articles and clippings, as well as certificates and ephemera.

Language of Material: English , Chinese .

Historical Note

The China Society of Southern California was founded in 1935 as a non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest Sino-American organization of its kind in the United States. The Society was initiated on May 8, 1935 by a group of Chinese and American friends who met together at the home of Dr. Yi-Seng Kiang, the former Vice-Consul and Consul-General of the Republic of China. Under its first President, Peter SooHoo, the China Society's first official meeting was held on June 6, 1935 at Soochow Café in Los Angeles.

The goals of the China Society of Southern California, as noted in its Constitution and By-Laws, are to "foster friendly relations between Chinese and Americans", "promote among Americans and Chinese a true understanding and appreciation of the history, culture, ideals, and customs of their respective countries", "provide Chinese and Americans with opportunities for mutual sharing of the beautiful and useful creations of their respective civilizations, including those in the realm of art, literature, philosophy, science, and religion" and "to co-operate with other organizations in sympathy with its aims and interest."

Included among the Society's history of members are Lillie SooHoo, Dr. Theodora Chen (Chairman of the Department of Asiatic Studies at the University of Southern California), Nobel Prize winner Pearl S. Buck, Chang Wen-ti, Chang Shu-chi, Dr. Y.G. Chen, Dr. J. Leighton Stuart, and Sue Yong.

Scope and Contents

The China Society of Southern California records, 1935-2015, consist of correspondence, minutes, financial records, bulletins, brochures, invitations, event materials, articles, clippings, publications, certificates, and ephemera documenting the 80-year history of the oldest Sino-American organization in the United States. The majority of the material in this collection comprise correspondence to and from members, board of directors meeting minutes, financial records in the form of statements, account books, financial reports, receipts, and balances, as well as original copies of the Bulletin of the China Society of Southern California, from its inception in 1935 through the 1990s.

Additionally, the collection includes items related to events and gatherings, held by both the China Society and neighboring organizations, in the form of event programs, brochures, invitations, menus, notes, photos, and mock-ups of announcements and programs.

The collection also contains foundation documents consisting of the China Society's Constitution, By-Laws, and Articles of Incorporation as well as Board of Directors information, rosters, membership applications, and lists.

The remainder of the collection includes a some articles, newspaper clippings pertaining to China, a few newsletters and journal publications, certificates, and ephemera in the form of a tie.

Organization

The China Society of Southern California records have been organized into the following series: 1. Foundation documents; 2. Correspondence; 3. Minutes; 4. Financial records; 5. Bulletin of the China Society of Southern California; 6. Brochures, invitations, and event materials; 7. Articles, clippings, and publications; 8. Certificates and ephemera.

Materials were found to be primarily in chronological order. This arrangement has, largely, been maintained.

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access of physical materials. Access of the select digitized items is available through the China Society of Southern California collection via USC's Digital Library. http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15799coll32

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Department of the East Asian Library at eal@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the East Asian Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Box/Folder# or Item name], China Society of Southern California records, Collection no. 3311, East Asian Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection came to the University through connections made by Clayton Dube, Associate Director of USC's U.S.-China Institute. Representatives of the China Society of Southern California, including its President, Robert Lee (2014), visited USC to discuss the donation of the material.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Chinese Americans -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources

Chinese Americans -- Societies, etc. -- Archival resources

History -- Societies, etc. -- Archival resources

Nonprofit organizations -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources

Societies -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources

Brochures

Bulletins

Certificates

Clippings

Correspondence

Ephemera

Financial records

Invitations

Menus

Minutes

China Society of Southern California -- Archives

Buck, Pearl S. (Pearl Sydenstricker), 1892-1973 -- Archives

Kiang, Yi-seng, 1908- -- Archives

Meyer, Milton Walter -- Archives

SooHoo, Peter, Sr. -- Archives

Wong, Anna May, 1905-1961 -- Archives

Foundation documents

Box 1, Folder 1

[The China Society of Southern California: its history and aims] undated

Box 4, Folder 9

[Membership application forms] undated

Box 1, Folder 84

China Society 1935

Box 1, Folder 2

[Proposed constitution] 1935

Box 1, Folder 3

[First draft of the proposed By-Laws] circa 1936

Box 1, Folder 4

[By-Laws of the China Society of Southern California] 1936-06-29

Box 1, Folder 5

[Proposed amendment to the constitution] 1936-12-15

Box 1, Folder 6

[2nd Annual Meeting correspondence and Constitution and By-Laws booklet] 1936-12-19

Box 1, Folder 10

Membership lists 1936-1982

Box 1, Folder 11

Directory of China Organizations 1939-11

Box 1, Folder 7

[Articles of Incorporation] 1946-02-11

Box 4, Folder 12

[Articles of Incorporation copy, meeting info, business cards] 1946-1986

Box 4, Folder 13

China Society of Southern California Board of Directors term of office 1965-1975

Box 3, Folder 19

[Members, deceased members, cancelled memberships] 1966-1976

Box 4, Folder 14

[Board meetings and By-Laws] 1969-1986

Box 6, Folder 13

Board personnel, names 1973-1986

Box 4, Folder 15

[Board meetings info and directions] 1974-1985

Box 1, Folder 8

[By-Laws revisions] 1975-12

Box 1, Folder 9

Biographical items 1975-1982

Box 6, Folder 15

Roster [pocket size] 1976, 1991

Box 4, Folder 16

[Member nomination information] 1979, 1986

Box 6, Folder 27

Printing - "originals" [member and application materials] 1986

Box 6, Folder 31

Board - activities 1986-1987

Box 6, Folder 35

Roster 1987-1988

Box 6, Folder 38

Terms of the Board of Directors 1988-12-12

Box 6, Folder 39

Roster 1988

Box 6, Folder 43

Nomination Committee 1989

Box 6, Folder 47

Roster 1997-08

Correspondence

Box 4, Folder 10

[Press releases and form letters to members] undated

Box 1, Folder 17

Correspondence 1936

Box 1, Folder 18

Correspondence 1937

Box 1, Folder 19

Correspondence 1938

Box 1, Folder 20

Correspondence 1939

Box 1, Folder 21

Correspondence 1940

Box 1, Folder 22

Correspondence 1941

Box 1, Folder 23

Correspondence 1942

Box 1, Folder 24

Correspondence 1943

Box 1, Folder 25

Correspondence 1944

Box 1, Folder 26

Correspondence 1945-1946

Box 1, Folder 27

Correspondence 1947

Box 1, Folder 28

Correspondence 1948-1949

Box 1, Folder 29

Correspondence 1950

Box 1, Folder 30

Correspondence 1951-1952

Box 1, Folder 31

Correspondence 1960s

Box 1, Folder 32

Correspondence 1970s

Box 6, Folder 11

[Milton Meyer correspondence, photo, and appreciation award] 1971-2010

Box 6, Folder 16

Tararin, Adrienne 1980-1986

Box 1, Folder 33

Correspondence 1980s

Box 6, Folder 18

Letters - incoming 1983-1986

Box 6, Folder 25

[Correspondence to members] 1985-1986

Box 6, Folder 32

Letters - out 1986-1987

Box 6, Folder 33

Letters to new members form 1987-01

Box 4, Folder 17

[Correspondence with members] 1987-1991

Box 6, Folder 40

[Typed and written correspondence and letters] 1988-1992

Box 6, Folder 45

[Helen and Harold Giedt correspondence and (blank) application] 1991-02-21

Box 6, Folder 51

[Board of Directors nominations correspondence] circa 2004

Box 6, Folder 52

[Correspondence to members re: dues] circa January 2007

Box 6, Folder 53

[Voting results] circa 2007

Box 6, Folder 58

[Board of Directors nominations correspondence] circa January 2013

Box 6, Folder 59

[Yvonne Chang - treasurer (notes and Christmas card)] circa January 2013

Box 6, Folder 65

[Letter from Ted W. Lieu re: China Society 80th anniversary luncheon] 2015-11-21

Minutes

Box 1, Folder 34

Minutes 1936

Box 1, Folder 83

Members meeting minutes 1936-1972

Box 1, Folder 35

Minutes 1937

Box 1, Folder 36

Minutes 1938

Box 1, Folder 37

Minutes 1939

Box 1, Folder 38

Minutes 1940

Box 1, Folder 39

Minutes 1941

Box 1, Folder 40

Minutes 1942

Box 1, Folder 41

Minutes 1943

Box 1, Folder 42

Minutes 1944

Box 1, Folder 43

Minutes 1945

Box 1, Folder 44

Minutes 1946

Box 1, Folder 45

Minutes 1947

Box 1, Folder 46

Minutes 1948

Box 1, Folder 47

Minutes 1949

Box 1, Folder 48

Minutes 1950

Box 1, Folder 49

Minutes 1951

Box 1, Folder 50

Minutes 1952

Box 1, Folder 51

Minutes 1953

Box 1, Folder 52

Minutes 1954

Box 1, Folder 53

Minutes 1955

Box 1, Folder 54

Minutes 1956

Box 1, Folder 55

Minutes 1957

Box 1, Folder 56

Minutes 1958

Box 1, Folder 57

Minutes 1959

Box 1, Folder 58

Minutes 1960

Box 1, Folder 59

Minutes 1961

Box 1, Folder 60

Minutes 1965

Box 1, Folder 61

Minutes 1965

Box 1, Folder 62

Minutes 1966

Box 1, Folder 63

Minutes 1967

Box 1, Folder 64

Minutes 1968

Box 1, Folder 65

Minutes 1970

Box 1, Folder 66

Minutes 1971

Box 1, Folder 67

Minutes 1972

Box 1, Folder 68

Minutes 1973

Box 1, Folder 69

Minutes 1974

Box 1, Folder 70

Minutes 1975

Box 1, Folder 71

Minutes 1976

Box 1, Folder 72

Minutes 1977

Box 1, Folder 73

Minutes 1978

Box 1, Folder 74

Minutes 1979

Box 1, Folder 75

Minutes 1980

Box 1, Folder 76

Minutes 1981

Box 1, Folder 77

Minutes 1982

Box 1, Folder 78

Minutes 1983

Box 1, Folder 79

Minutes 1984

Box 1, Folder 80

Minutes 1985

Box 6, Folder 19

December board meeting 1985-12

Box 1, Folder 81

Minutes 1986

Box 6, Folder 42

[Meeting minutes] 1989

Box 1, Folder 82

Minutes 1990

Box 6, Folder 46

[Handwritten meeting minutes] 1991

Financial records

Box 3, Folder 20

Finances [statements and balances] 1936-1945

Box 6, Folder 6

Financial statements 1936-1973

Box 3, Folder 21

[Account book] 1937-1959

Box 6, Folder 7

Relief committee 1938

Box 6, Folder 8

Cash reports 1938-1973

Box 4, Folder 11

[Bank of America signature cards] 1939-1947

Box 6, Folder 9

Statements for dinner meetings 1939-1973

Box 3, Folder 22

Financial reports 1940-1943

Box 6, Folder 61

[Check] 1941-06-22

Box 3, Folder 23

Financial report 1944

Box 3, Folder 24

[Financial reports and tax info] 1945-1946

Box 3, Folder 25

[Monthly financial reports, tax info, balances] 1949-1953

Box 3, Folder 26

[Reports, balances, tax info] 1952-1956

Box 3, Folder 27

Financial reports 1956

Box 3, Folder 28

[Financial reports] 1957-1958

Box 4, Folder 1

[Balance books] 1959-1966

Box 4, Folder 2

[Financial reports] 1960-1962

Box 4, Folder 3

[Statements, board lists] 1962-1964

Box 4, Folder 4

[Financial reports and comparative balance sheet] 1963-1965

Box 4, Folder 5

[Tax documents, reports, and comparative balances] 1964-1965

Box 4, Folder 6

[Financial statements and comparative balance sheets] 1965-1966

Box 4, Folder 7

[Balance sheets and reports] 1966-1969

Box 3, Folder 9

Finances 1966-1970

Box 4, Folder 8

[Financial reports] 1967

Box 3, Folder 3

[Check book balances] 1967-1969

Box 3, Folder 4

[Donations for Scholarship Fund] 1968

Box 3, Folder 5

Finances 1968

Box 3, Folder 6

[Comparative balance sheet] 1968-12-31-1969-12-31

Box 3, Folder 1

[Dinner meeting expenses] 1968-1969

Box 3, Folder 2

[Report of Financial Secretary to Treasurer] 1968-1969

Box 3, Folder 7

[Checks and Balances] 1969

Box 3, Folder 8

Finances 1969

Box 3, Folder 10

Finance [receipts, balances, checks] 1970-1971

Box 6, Folder 10

Financial condition 1971-1975

Box 3, Folder 11

Finances [reports, receipts, checks] 1972

Box 6, Folder 12

Scholarship account 1972

Box 3, Folder 12

Finances [statements, reports, receipts] 1973

Box 3, Folder 13

Finances [statements and receipts] 1974

Box 3, Folder 14

Finances [receipts, statements, checks] 1975

Box 3, Folder 15

Finances [Statement of Financial Condition, tax info, periodic reports] 1976

Box 3, Folder 16

Finances [Statement of Financial Condition, receipts] 1977-1978

Box 3, Folder 17

Finances [unpaid dues, receipts] 1979-1980

Box 6, Folder 30

Scholarship [notes and clipping] 1986

Box 3, Folder 18

Bills 1986-1987

Box 6, Folder 62

Application for Scholarship Loan Fund undated

Bulletin of the China Society of Southern California

Box 6, Folder 60

Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1 [originals and copies] 1935-06-17

Box 2, Folder 1-4

Bulletins 1935-1939

Box 2, Folder 5-10

Bulletins 1940s-1990s

Box 6, Folder 14

[Eulogies that appeared in Bulletin: Hummel and Bartlett 1976, 1991

Box 6, Folder 49

Bulletin 1999

Brochures, invitations, and event materials

Box 4, Folder 18

[Banner/logo] undated

Box 6, Folder 1

[Bessie Loo and Soo Hoo Family: photos at events] undated

Box 4, Folder 43

[Paper art and logo symbol] undated

Box 6, Folder 3

Programs - past - notes undated

Box 1, Folder 14

Songs sheets undated

Box 6, Folder 5

Speakers - future - and program and possible future undated

Box 2, Folder 11

[Invitation to inaugural meeting of the China Society of Southern California] 1935-06-06

Box 4, Folder 19

[China Society of Southern California event menus] 1937-1975

Box 6, Folder 63

[Chinese relief event invitation and check] 1938 January

Box 4, Folder 20

[China Society programs] 1938-1941

Box 4, Folder 21

Chinese Lacquers and notes for the printer [supplemental event materials] 1940

Box 4, Folder 22

[Benefit for Chinese Relief invitations and program] 1941-05-05

Box 4, Folder 23

[Banquet invitations and programs] 1943-1975

Box 1, Folder 13

Events 1944-1970

Box 6, Folder 2

[Event photos and documents] undated

Box 4, Folder 24

[Chinese Shadow Plays programs] 1946-1948

Box 4, Folder 25

[Chinese Dinner invitations and programs] 1946-1948

Box 1, Folder 12

Banquets 1946-1995

Box 4, Folder 26

Miss Florence Soon-Kin Wong, pianist [program] 1950-10-26

Box 4, Folder 27

[Moon Festival invitation] 1959-09-13

Box 4, Folder 28

[Living with Chinese Art invitation] 1961

Box 4, Folder 29

[Brochures] 1971-1972

Box 4, Folder 30

[Christmas party invitations and mock-ups] 1971-1972

Box 4, Folder 31

[China Jade notes] 1972

Box 6, Folder 64

[Invitation to January 1973 Board of Directors meeting] 1973-12-30

Box 4, Folder 32

40th Anniversary of the China Society [program] 1975-10-06

Box 4, Folder 33

[Proof-reader's marks and corrections] 1981

Box 6, Folder 17

[Event brochures, notes, and newsletters] 1981-1985

Box 6, Folder 20

[Bessie Loo and Ester Bartlett event photos] 1985

Box 6, Folder 21

[Caroline Chan event photos] 1985

Box 4, Folder 34

[Chinese Historical Society brochures and programs] 1985

Box 4, Folder 35

[50th Anniversary materials] 1985

Box 4, Folder 36

[50th Anniversary invitations] 1985

Box 5, Folder 5

[50th Anniversary programs, mock-ups, notes, and research] 1985

Box 6, Folder 23

Speakers - past - and program 1985

Box 6, Folder 28

Program [notes and clipping] 1986-01-12

Box 5, Folder 7

Proofs (work for printing) 1986

Box 6, Folder 29

Restaurants [menus and notes] 1986

Box 6, Folder 36

[Friends of Soochow menu 23rd Annual Dinner] 1988-03-14

Box 4, Folder 40

Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 1988

Box 6, Folder 41

China Society pictures (duplicates) 1988-1995

Box 6, Folder 48

China Society flyer 1997-1998

Box 6, Folder 50

Noel Toy Young memorial invite 2004-01-31

Box 6, Folder 54

[China Society monthly events invitations] 2006-05-2011-06

Box 6, Folder 55

[75th Anniversary Dinner logo and menu] 2010-10-04

Articles, clippings, and publications

Box 1, Folder 15

Articles undated

Box 1, Folder 16

Articles: Albert Fields undated

Box 6, Folder 4

"Seeing Last Emperor 'tugs Restaurateur's Family Ties'" [LA Times clipping] undated

Box 4, Folder 38

Information Bulletin Vol. III, Number 4 1937-02-11

Box 4, Folder 39

The 8 Ball [publication] 1969-10-17

Box 4, Folder 40

[Clippings] 1972-1992

Box 4, Folder 41

"Soochow Advocate" 1974-03-1976-03

Box 4, Folder 42

China most recent clippings 1979, 1984-1985

Box 5, Folder 1

China articles [clippings] 1983-1984

Box 5, Folder 2

[Caroline Chan articles, bio, award ceremony (includes photos)] 1984

Box 5, Folder 3

China articles [clippings] 1985

Box 5, Folder 4

Orginal typed article and layout for 50th Anniversary submitted to L.A. Chinatown Chamber of Commerce souvenir book 1985

Box 6, Folder 22

Los Angeles Chinatown souvenir book 1985

Box 6, Folder 24

[50th Anniversary article reprint] circa 1985

Box 6, Folder 26

Chen, Theodore, Dr. [clipping] 1986-02-17

Box 6, Folder 34

[Asian Week Vol. 8, No. 21 and notes] 1987-01-09

Box 6, Folder 37

First Class Confidential [newsletter] 1988-05

Box 6, Folder 44

Chinese New Year's True Meaning USA Weekend [clipping] 1991-01-25-1991-01-27

Box 6, Folder 56

[Milton Meyer publications] 2012

Box 6, Folder 57

"Travels with Milt No. 6: Countries Visted" by Milton Walter Meyer 2012

Certificates and ephemera

Box 4, Folder 44

[Tie] undated

Box 5, Folder 8

[Certificate of Merit] 1978-01-27

Box 5, Folder 6

[Certificate of Appreciation] 1985-10-19

Box 5, Folder 9

[Certificate of Commendation] 1985-06-09

Box 5, Item 3

[Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Resolution (framed)] 1985-06-09

Box 4, Folder 45

[Certificate of Congressional Recognition - 80th Anniversary] 2015-11-21

Oversize-folder 1

[Three certificates of congratulations for 80th anniversary 2015-11-21