Stott Family Collection, 1915-1958

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Summary

Title:
Stott Family Collection
Dates:
1915-1958
Creators:
Stott, Dorothy Cranston and Stott, Kenhelm W., Sr.
Abstract:
This collection contains some personal papers of the Stott family in the early to mid-1900s, with an emphasis on Dorothy Stott’s musical career in San Diego and Kenhelm Stott Sr.’s military career.
Extent:
0.5 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Stott Family Collection, MS 39, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains some personal papers of the Stott family in the early to mid-1900s, with an emphasis on Dorothy Stott’s musical career in San Diego and Kenhelm Stott Sr.’s military career. Dorothy’s materials include programs, newspaper articles, certificates, letters of recommendations and her high school diploma, as well as her high school scrapbook. Kenhelm Sr.’s paers include photographs and correspondence from his time in the military as well as newspaper articles the commencement program when he graduated from San Diego State University. The only material related to Kenhelm Jr. is a letter pertaining to the purchase of “Peaches” the Elephant from the Boswell Brothers’ Circus of Johannesburg.

Biographical / historical:

Dorothy Cranston Hess Stott (1899-1962) was born in Michigan. Before moving to San Diego at age 20, Dorothy attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School. As a violin student she studied under several teachers such as Harold A. Cole, K.E. Horst, Helen T. Fiske, Lois K. Sickels, and M. Dickinson Ross. She performed extensively with the Bach Society of San Diego County, the Morning Choral Club of San Diego, La Jolla Woman’s Club, the Bishop School, the Amphion Club, La Quartette de Sainte Cecelia, the Chamber Music Club, the Music Makers and St. Joseph’s Choir etc. She also assisted or participated in recitals of individual musicians and religious services. She was active serving the American Red Cross during the Second World War. She was a life member of the San Diego Zoological Society and donated an African elephant to the San Diego Zoo. A permanent scholarship was established in her name in the English department at San Diego State University.

Kenhelm W. Stott was born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He moved to the United States in 1912 and was naturalized in 1916. He co-owned a car dealership from 1924 to early 1940. Kenhelm served in both World Wars in the Army. He was a machine gun officer in World War I and was made executive officer for military security for Southern California during World War II. By the time he retired in 1946, he held the post of executive officer, Southern District, Ninth Service Command, in Los Angeles. After retirement he attended San Diego State University, majoring in history. In 1950, he graduated with honors. He belonged to San Diego Masonic Lodge 35, F&AM, American Legion Post 433, Military Order of the World Wars in La Jolla, the local chapter of the Reserve Officers Association, of which he was president from 1937-38, the Fine Arts Society, the Zoological Society, the Natural History of Man Society and the Westerners of San Diego.

Kenhelm W. Stott, Jr. one of the four children of Dorothy and Kenhelm, Sr. His love for animals led him to study Zoology at the Pomona College in Claremont in the 1930s. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1942 and was assigned to the infectious disease team on Guam, Saipan, and the Philippines. He headed the San Diego Zoo in 1948. An extensive explorer, Kenhelm, Jr. went on four trips around the world, 19 trips to Africa, three to India and a dozen to Central and South America. Tirelessly promoting the Zoo, he started Zoonooz and was influential in getting the then radio show “Animal Kingdom” on the air. Kenhelm Jr. was also a Smithsonian research collaborator, a life fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Explorers Club and the Zoological Society of London.

Acquisition information:
Accession #791006.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Annette Lo in January 2003 and Samantha Mills in February 2017.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by family member and material type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Date Prepared:
February 2, 2017
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2017-02-02T12:27-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Stott Family Collection, MS 39, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website