Guide to Rest Haven Preventorium for Children Papers MS 6

Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Vanoni
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
May 31, 2013


Title: Rest Haven Preventorium for Children Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS 6
Contributing Institution: San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 11.25 Linear feet (12 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1909-1971
Abstract: This collection contains materials related to Rest Haven Preventorium and its administrative processes from 1910 through 1971.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
creator: Mead, Florence

Biographical / Historical Notes

In 1907, the San Diego County Medical Society voted to cooperate with a California Tuberculosis Association in forming a local organization for combating the threat of tuberculosis. This San Diego Tuberculosis Association ( San Diego Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis) was incorporated in 1910. In its early years the Association administered several programs in its local fight against the “White Plague”, including the establishment of an open-air sanatorium in the Lemon Villa area and a cooperative program with the Army during the first World War for treatment of ailing servicemen stationed locally. The open-air camp, called Rest Haven Preventorium, became the focus of the Association’s activities beginning in the 1920s, as emphasis shifted from adult patients to the exclusive treatment of children. Rest Haven maintained its commitment to children through the expansion of the camp, annual Christmas Seal drives, and charity events. In the early 1950s Rest Haven relinquished operation of its facilities and became a foundation dedicated to the welfare of San Diego’s children.

Scope and Content

This collection contains materials related to Rest Haven Preventorium and its administrative processes from 1910 through 1971. Materials include correspondence, organizational records, meeting minutes, reports and proposals, financial reports and statements, histories, miscellaneous ephemera and newspaper clippings and scrapbooks. There are materials dating from the Associations beginnings as well as the period of Rest Haven’s greatest growth before the Second World War. Included in the collection is the transcript of a lawsuit with the City of East San Diego over Rest Haven’s location and materials related to the camp’s involvement in the treatment of local servicemen during World War I. There is also material related to the yearly Christmas Seal drives during the 1920s and 1930s and the many social events organized for charity. Later records are much less detailed and reflect Rest Haven’s financial role as a foundation. The collection as a whole offers insight into social and medical welfare programs during the early 20th century in San Diego.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

The scrapbooks are in poor condition with loose pages and newspaper clippings that are discolored and fragile. Care should be taken when handling these items. (May 2013)

Preferred Citation

Rest Haven Preventorium for Children Records, MS 6, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

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

Processing Information

Collection processed by Jennifer Vanoni on May 31, 2013.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by series:
Series I: Administrative Records
Series II: Scrapbooks

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number 830601A.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Brust, Mina
Mead, Francis
San Diego County Medical Society (San Diego County, Calif.).
San Diego Tuberculosis Association.
Charity organization
Children -- Health and welfare
Children -- Institutional care
Medical treatment
Tuberculosis
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945

 

Series I Administrative Records

Box-folder 1:1

Constitution and Bylaws n.d., c. 1910-27

Box-folder 1:2-9

Meeting Minutes (loose) 1918-36, 1940-70

Box-folder 2:1

Board of Directors c. 1910-71

Box-folder 2:2

Annual Reports 1963-70

Box-folder 2:3

Financial Records n.d., 1913-21, 1952-57, 1963, 1966-71

Box-folder 2:4

Bookkeeping Statements 1941-42, 1962, 1965-68, 1970-71

Box-folder 2:5

Investment and Endowment

Box-folder 2:6

Correspondence - Financial 1958, 1967-71

Box-folder 2:7-10

Correspondence - Miscellaneous 1916-21, c. 1926-71

Box-folder 3:1

Letterpress Copybook

Includes:

Name Index
Box-folder 3:2

Nurse Reports 1909-14, 1920

Box-folder 3:3

“Plan for San Diego Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis”

Includes:

Adoption of Open Air Camp
Box-folder 3:4

“Recommendations For Work of 1917” 1917

Box-folder 3:5

“Report on Survey of San Diego” – by State Bureau of Tuberculosis 1920

Box-folder 3:6

“Report on Rest Haven” – by Community Welfare Council n.d., 1950

Box-folder 3:7

“Services to Children” Reports 1957, 1963, 1966-71

Box-folder 3:8

General Guidelines, Admissions Policies and Dietary List

Box-folder 3:9

Charity Events

Box-folder 3:10

Christmas Seals

Box-folder 3:11

Patient Lists

Includes:

"List of rejected soldiers"
Box-folder 3:12

Miscellanea

Includes:

Biographies and memorial of Florence Mead, histories of Rest Haven.
 

Series II Scrapbooks

Box-folder 4:1

Scrapbook (red cover) c. 1926-42

Box-folder 4:2

Scrapbook (loose pages) 1930s

Box-folder 4:3

Scrapbook (brown cover) 1939-41

Box-folder 4:4

Scrapbook ("Newspaper Publicity") 1931-40