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Guide to the Genevieve Didion papers

MS0027

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Table of contents

Collection Contents

Series 1. Native Daughters of the Golden West

Physical Description: 21 folders + 1 volume

Series Scope and Content Summary

The Native Daughters of the Golden West series reflects Genevieve Didion’s activities in the Sacramento parlor of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, a statewide organization dedicated to the preservation of California’s history. The series consists of twenty-one file folders and one bound volume spanning the time period 1926-1961, and includes material such as correspondence, news clippings, reports, financial records, notes, speech transcripts, and proceedings of the Sacramento parlor. Many of Genevieve Didion’s efforts as part of the Native Daughters of the Golden West paid tribute to California’s pioneers. Genevieve Didion was instrumental in organizing the planting of the Camellia Grove, a living pioneer memorial, on the grounds of the State Capitol in 1942. She also helped to coordinate events such as the annual Admission’s Day Parade in downtown Sacramento, the Centennial Breakfast at Sutter’s Fort, and the Native Daughters of the Golden West Gold Discovery Ball.

Box 1:1

Admissions Day 1948

Box 1:2

Camellia Grove dedication 1942

Box 1:3

Centennial Committee of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce 1947-1948

Box 1:4

Civic reports 1938-1950

Box 1:5-6

Correspondence 1939-1961

Box 1:7

Financial records 1948

Box 1:8-9

Gold Discovery Ball 1948

Box 2:1-2

Grand Parlor 1948

Box 2:3-4

Joseph R. Knowland Reception 1951

Box 2:5

Pioneer Memorial Grove Committee 1940

Box 2:6-7

Proceedings of the Grand Parlor 1935-1937

Box 3:1-2

Proceedings of the Grand Parlor 1938-1939

Box 3:3

Speeches and background material 1943-1950

Box 3:4

Sutter’s Fort Centennial Breakfast 1947

Box 3:5

Treasurer’s book 1926

Box 3:6

Weekly receipts volume 1946-1958

Series 2. Correspondence

Physical Description: 6 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

The correspondence series is arranged into two subseries: J.F. Didion Correspondence and Genevieve Didion Correspondence. The first subseries, J.F. Didion Correspondence, consists of four file folders of material regarding the activities of J.F. Didion, Genevieve Didion’s husband, in the Sacramento Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West from 1930-1932. The second subseries, Genevieve Didion Correspondence, consists of two file folders of personal correspondence covering the period 1926-1957, primarily comprised of thank-you notes from members of the Sacramento parlor of the Native Daughters of the Golden West.

Box 3:7-8

Subseries 2.1 Genevieve Didion correspondence 1926-1957

Box 4:1-4

Subseries 2.2 J.F. Didion correspondence 1928-1945

Box 4:5

Series 3. Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission 1972-1973

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

The Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission series relates to Genevieve Didion’s involvement with the Sacramento County Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission. The Commission, established by county ordinance in 1965, functioned as a means to coordinate the activities of governmental and nongovernmental organizations working to prevent juvenile delinquency. The series consists of one file folder of material from 1972-1973, which includes correspondence and resolutions of the Commission, meeting minutes, organization charts, and information about Commission membership.

Box 4:6

Series 4. Sophie Comstock Memorial Commission 1960-1973

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

The Sophie Comstock Memorial Commission series consists of one file folder chronicling Genevieve Didion’s membership on the Sophie Comstock Memorial Commission. The Sacramento City Council appointed a 20 member commission in 1961 to oversee the development of a tribute to the Pony Express, funded by a bequest from Sacramento resident Sophie Pleasants Comstock. Comstock was a local horse enthusiast who passed away in 1915. Genevieve Didion played an active role on the Commission, which worked to raise funds, secured land for the memorial, and oversaw the development of the statue. The file contains correspondence and other material related to the Commission, ranging in date from 1960-1973. The file includes several sketches of the Pony Express statue.

Box 4:7

Series 5. Sacramento City and County Youth Services Committee 1948-1949

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

The Sacramento City and County Youth Services Committee series is made up of one file folder of material reflecting Genevieve Didion’s participation on the committee from 1948-1949. The committee implemented positive programs for children and young adults, and encouraged parental involvement. The file includes committee and program budgets, committee meeting minutes, day camp programs and brochures, and information on proposed projects and suggested family activities.

Series 6. Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home

Physical Description: 2 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

The Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home series includes two file folders documenting Genevieve Didion’s three year term as Director of the Receiving Home, from 1944-1947. The files contain correspondence, news clippings, brochures, reports, and lists regarding the daily operations of the Receiving Home. Also included is a check register dating from 1918-1923, detailing the Receiving Home’s regular purchases, like groceries and other goods.

Box 5:1

Check register 1918-1923

Box 5:2

Correspondence 1944-1948

Series 7. Sacramento Board of Education

Physical Description: 3 folders + 1 bound volume

Series Scope and Content Summary

The Sacramento Board of Education series consists of one bound volume and three file folders of notes, correspondence and campaign material relating to Genevieve Didion’s membership on the Sacramento Board of Education. She was first appointed to the Board in 1942 by the Sacramento City Council, and served for eighteen years before the board became elective in 1960. She was promptly elected, and continued to serve until her death in 1974. While a member of the Board, she served three terms as president and succeeded in making California State University, Sacramento into a four-year university. Some material of note includes correspondence relating to CSU Sacramento, and a bound volume from the Jefferson Parent-Teacher Association. The series also contains ephemera, including bumper stickers from Genevieve Didion’s 1960 campaign, and a rubbing from Edward Kelley School presented to her in 1972. Ephemera are located at MC 15:03.

Box 5:3-4

Correspondence 1938-1964

Box 5:5

Campaign material 1967

Box 5:6

Jefferson Parent-Teacher Association bound volume 1941-1942

Series 8. Printed material

Physical Description: 8 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

The eighth series, Printed material, is comprised of eight file folders of published material collected by Genevieve Didion, the majority of which reflects her interest in the history of California. The publications range in date from 1933-1963. The files include issues of the official Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West publication the Grizzly Bear, numerous issues of the California Herald, material related to Sacramento’s schools, various handbooks on education, childcare, and housekeeping, and a significant amount of sheet music documenting California folk songs.

Box 6:1

California Centennials newsletter 1948-1950

Box 6:2

California Herald 1962-1963

Box 6:3

The Grizzly Bear 1933-1953

Box 6:4

Historical resources 1933-1950

Box 6:5

Homemaking publications 1933-1956

Box 6:6

Sacramento City Public Schools News 1948-1950

Box 6:7

Sacramento schools 1949-1957

Box 6:8

Sheet music undated

Series 9. Photographs

Physical Description: 9 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

The ninth series, Photographs, consists of black and white photographs documenting Genevieve Didion’s activities in Sacramento from 1936-1963. The majority of the photographs are undated. Many photographs depict the dedication of the Camellia Grove at the State Capitol in 1942, and the individuals who came to plant camellias in memory of their pioneer ancestors. Photographs of other memorial groves planted by Genevieve Didion and the Native Daughters of the Golden West at the State Fair Grounds, McClellan and Mather Air Force Bases, and Sutter’s Fort are also present. Other photographs document various events sponsored by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, such as the Centennial Breakfast held at Sutter’s Fort, Admissions Day festivities, and the Gold Discovery Ball. Oversized photographs are located at MC 11:06.

Box 7

Camellia Grove Dedication 1942-1956

Box 7

Elementary School dedication undated

Box 7

Gold Discovery Ball 1948

Box 7

Mather Field ceremonies undated

Box 7

Native Daughters of the Golden West – miscellaneous events undated

Box 7

Pony Express marker dedication 1936

Box 7

Separated photographs undated

Box 7

Sutter’s Fort events 1936-1950

Box 7

Young America Engine Co. No. 6 dedication 1963

Box unknown

Series 10. Artifacts and ephemera

Series Scope and Content Summary

The tenth series, Artifacts and Ephemera, contains many items related to Genevieve Didion’s activities as part of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and her involvement in local schools, dating from 1941-1960. Included are various ribbons and name badges from Native Daughters of the Golden West events, Sacramento County pet tags, a “Capital Bowl” pencil, and booklets and ribbons relating to Genevieve Didion’s husband, J.F. Didion, and his activities as County Tax Collector and employee of the Capital National Bank of Sacramento. Most notable within the series are several LP records produced by the Sacramento Senior High School Dance Band between 1944-1960.

Collection Contents

Series 1. Native Daughters of the Golden West

Series 2. Correspondence

Subseries 2.1 Genevieve Didion correspondence

Subseries 2.2 J.F. Didion correspondence

Series 3. Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission

Series 4. Sophie Comstock Memorial Commission

Series 5. Sacramento City and County Youth Services Committee

Series 6. Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home

Series 7. Sacramento Board of Education

Series 8. Printed material

Series 9. Photographs

Series 10. Artifacts and ephemera