Birch (John) Society, 1960s

Collection context

Summary

Title:
John Birch Society Collection
Dates:
1960s
Creators:
Sidney Gally. John Birch Society ACLU
Abstract:
Extent:
1 box
Language:
Preferred citation:

John Birch Society Collection. Pasadena Museum of History

Background

Scope and content:

The John Birch Society Collection consists of a scrapbook of newspaper clippings primarily from the Pasadena Star News and the LA Times from 1961. Book, The Blue Book of the John Birch Society, 4th printing, 1961, by Robert Welch. Book, The John Birch Society in California Politics, by Bryan W. Stevens, 1966.

Biographical / historical:

The John Birch Society is an American political advocacy group that supports anti-communism, limited government, a Constitutional Republic and personal freedom. It was founded in 1958 by Robert W. Welch, Jr. The society was named for John Birch, a captain in the US Army who was supposedly murdered by Chinese Communists 10 days after VJ Day. It first came to the widespread attention of Pasadenans in reporter Bill Sumner's newspaper column of February 10, 1961 in the Pasadena Star-News. Southern Californian congressmen John H. Rousselot and Edgar W. Heisstand were members of the John Birch Society. the Society is still active with local chapters in all 50 states. The organization owns American Opinion Publishing, which publishes the journal The New American.

Acquisition information:
L2011-04-29. Donated by Mr. Sidney Gally of Pasadena, California.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Pasadena Museum of History staff.
Date Prepared:
1960s
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Research Library and Archives, Pasadena Museum of History.

Preferred citation:

John Birch Society Collection. Pasadena Museum of History

Location of this collection:
470 West Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91103-3594, US
Contact:
626.577.1660