San Francisco Museum Of Science And Industry Records, 1926-1953
Processed by Mary Gentry.
Historic Documents Department
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Park Service
Third Floor, Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-7030
Fax: 415-556-3540
All written inquiries should include your name, mailing address, and telephone numbers.
2007
Finding Aid to the San Francisco Museum Of Science And Industry Records, 1926-1953
Collection Number: HDC 1033
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Historic Documents Department
San Francisco, California
Contact Information:
- San Francisco Maritime
- National Historical Park
- Third Floor, Building E, Fort Mason
- San Francisco, CA 94123
- Phone: 415-561-7030
- Fax: 415-556-3540
- All written inquiries should include your name, mailing address, and telephone numbers.
- Processed by:
- Mary Gentry
- Date Completed:
-
October 2002
- Encoded by:
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park,
Historic Documents Department
Summary
Title: San Francisco Museum Of Science And Industry Records,
Date (inclusive): 1926-1953
Collection No: HDC 1033
Creator:
San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry
Extent:
4.2 linear feet
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (Calif.)
Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, California 94123
Abstract: Files of the San Francisco Museum of Science & Industry-Marine Section, predecessor of the San Francisco Maritime Museum (1940-1953).
This collection of correspondence files was originally divided into two sections, subject and general (1940-1949). The files
were left in their original order. Much of the correspondence involves Alma de Brettville Spreckels, Honorary Chairman of
the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry, Dr. Howard M. McKinley, Director of the Museum and Walter J. Walsh, Board Member
& Attorney for the Museum. The collection also contains two visitor's logbooks.
Language:
English.
Indexing Terms
The following are indexing terms related to the description of this collection.
Spreckels, Alma de Bretteville, 1881-1968.
San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry.
Historic ships--California--San Francisco Bay Area.
San Francisco Maritime Museum.
Ship models.
Visitors' books.
Correspondence.
Information for Researchers
Access Information
Access:
The collection is open for research use. No restrictions noted in the collection record. There may be specific access restrictions
noted at lower levels or in the collection file.
Conditions of Use
Use:
The San Francisco Maritime NHP possesses physical property rights through ownership of the materials. However, copyright may
reside with the individual or corporate body responsible for the creation of the materials, or with their heirs. It is the
user's responsibility to respect the provisions of the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Permission to reproduce or publish from this collection must be secured by the user from the copyright holders.
Preferred Citation:
[Item description], HDC 1033, [Location within collection organization identified by series number, file unit number, item
number], San Francisco Museum Of Science And Industry Records, 1926-1953 , San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Custodial History
Custodial History:
The records were created by the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry, a predecessor organization to the San Francisco
Maritime Museum Association, which held them until their donation to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area's National Maritime
Museum in October 1984. They were subsequently transferred to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park on its establishment
in 1988.
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
Golden Gate National Recreation Area under accession SAFR-1 , transferred internally from another National Park Service unit.
Processing/Project Information
Processing and Cataloging:
Processed by Mary Gentry.
Completed in October 2002.
ANCS+ Catalog No. SAFR 9906.
This number links the collection to the ANCS+ catalog record and documentation. A portion of the ANCS+ catalog record can
be viewed on the NPS Museum Collections Web Catalog by searching for the above number at
http://www.museum.nps.gov/safr/page.htm.
Agency History
The idea for the creation of the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry grew out of a marine exhibit at the Golden Gate
International Exposition, held on Treasure Island, San Francisco, in 1939-1940. Ship models, assembled by shipping executive
Edward S. Clark, and prints were included in the display. After the Exposition was over, the models and prints were gathered
and displayed at the Merchants Exchange Building at 465 California Street in San Francisco, in October 1940. A committee of
public-spirited citizens, led by Mrs. Adolph B. Spreckles, sponsored the exhibit, which lasted 6 months.
In May of 1941, the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry was opened, in space at the Aquatic Park Center bath house,
which was offered to the new Museum by the San Francisco Park Commission. Future plans for the Museum were to include exhibits
of land and air transportation, mining and other industrial and scientific collections as well as native handicraft items.
The Museum was hoped to be a center of research for scientists, as well as the general public.
When the U.S. entered World War II, the Aquatic Park Center bath house became a center for anti-aircraft forces. The Museum
was dismantled to make room for the Army. The fledgling collections were housed for a short time in the California Palace
of the Legion of Honor. The ship models were later loaned to the Maritime Commission to aid in training personnel. After the
indoctrination courses were discontinued, the models were made available at the Aquatic Park Center bath house for the benefit
of the service men. After the war, the Marine Section of the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry was opened, again
in the bath house. The marine exhibit remained at the bath house until 1949.
The original collection of models and prints were later augmented with more models, historic documents, including photographs,
books and various types of nautical equipment.
Scope and Content Note
Files of the San Francisco Museum of Science & Industry-Marine Section, predecessor of the San Francisco Maritime Museum (1940-1953).
This collection of correspondence files was originally divided into two sections, subject and general (1940-1949). The files
were left in their original order. Much of the correspondence involves Alma de Brettville Spreckles, Honorary Chairman of
the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry, Dr. Howard M. McKinley, Director of the Museum and Walter J. Walsh, Board Member
& Attorney for the Museum.
The collection also contains two visitor's logbooks. One volume dated from August 22, 1941 to June 24, 1943. The other volume
is from October 24, 1940 to August, 24 1941, with additional material from June 9, 1953 to June 11, 1953 included at the end.
Organization
Organized in three series, as follows: Series 1: Correspondence;
Series 2: Miscellaneous Records; Series 3: Visitors Logbooks.
Series: 1
Correspondence, 1936-1951 .
Physical Description:
79 folders
Organization
Organized to the file unit level.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence of the officers and founders of the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry (1926-1949). Much of the correspondence
is that of Mrs. Alma de Brettville Spreckles and other Board members such as W.A. Baxter, William Cavalier, Edward S. Clark,
Walter J. Walsh and Howard McKinley.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.1
Correspondence "A", 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.2
Acquisitions, 1945-1950.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Contains B/W 8"x10" photo of merchant seaman/painter Linwood Clark Borum.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.3
Alaska Packers Association, 1947-1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Alma Spreckels, A.K. Tichenor
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.4
Aquatic Park, 1945-1948.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.5
Aquatic Park, 1948-1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.6
Correspondence "B", 1941-1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.7
W.A. Baxter, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
W.A. Baxter was Secretary-Treasurer of the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.8
Board of Directors, 1945-1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Campbell McGregor, President of the Board
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.9
Proxy votes, 1942-1943.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.10
Correspondence "C", 1943-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
William Cavalier, President of the Board
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.11
Circular letters, 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.12
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, 1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry brochures.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.13
Edward S. Clark, 1940-1942.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.14
Contributions, 1942.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.15
Contributors/finances, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Includes "A Proposal For the Establishment of The Pacific Coast Marine Museum Association, San Francisco," no attribution,
undated. SEE FILE UNIT 22 for same proposal.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.16
Correspondence "D", 1943-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.17
Mrs. A.S. Dippel, 1946-1947.
Physical Description:
.
Note
Mrs. Dippel was Secretary-Treasurer of the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.18
Correspondence "E", 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.19
Executive Committee, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.20
Exhibitors, 1940-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.21
Correspondence "F", 1940-1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.22
Finance Campaign, 1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Includes "A Proposal for the Establishment of the Pacific Coast Marine Museum Associaiton, San Francisco" by Edward Strong
Clark. Identical, except for cover page, to the paper of the same name in File Unit 15.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.23
Financial, 1942-1948.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.24
Jean Scott Frickelton, 1936, 1948.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Jean Scott Frickelton was hired by Alma Spreckels to cover public relations for the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.25
Correspondence "G", 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: damage and repair to the model, "Pruessen."
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.26
Correspondence "H", 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.27
Internal Revenue Service, 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.28
Correspondence "J", 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.29
Correspondence "K", 1942-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.30
Correspondence "L", 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.31
Loans, 1940-1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: ship models
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.32
Campbell McGregor, 1942-1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Campbell McGregor, President of S.F. Museum of Science and Industry.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.33
Howard McKinley, 1923, 1943-1948.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
File contains booklet, National Security and Naval Base Facilities on San Francisco Bay, published by Bay Cities Naval Affairs
Committee, 1923. NOTE: Lt. Comdr., USNR Howard M. McKinley was the Director of the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry.
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.34
Howard McKinley, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: Industrial Occupational Therapy
Box: 1
File Unit: 1.35
Howard McKinley, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: Industrial Occupational Therapy (file contains several booklets)
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.36
Marine Museum, 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: Proposed projects of the Citizens Post War Planning Committee.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.37
Marine Museum, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.38
Marine Museums, 1947-1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.39
Mayor's Office (Aquatic Park), 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.40
Models, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.41
Models available, 1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.42
Models to exhibit (requests), 1940-1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.43
Model lists (Treasure Island), 1946-1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.44
Meetings, 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.45
Miscellaneous, 1942-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.46
Miscellaneous, 1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.47
Museum data, 1945-1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.48
Museum location, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.49
Correspondence "O", 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.50
Open correspondence, 1942-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.51
Correspondence "P", 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.52
Palace of the Legion of Honor, 1942-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.53
Pending, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.54
Preussen (model), 1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.55
Publicity, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.56
Correspondence "R", 1943-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.57
Correspondence "S", 1941-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.58
Jerry Scanlon, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: publicity and Marine Section San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry brochure.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.59
Alma Spreckels, 1936, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.60
Alma Spreckels, 1945-1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.61
Alma Spreckels, 1948-1950.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.62
Alma Spreckels, undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.63
Suggestions, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.64
Correspondence "T", 1944.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.65
Treasure Island Museum, 1946-1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.66
Trustee, 1947-1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.67
Correspondence "U", 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.68
U.S. Maritime Service Center, 1943, 1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.69
Correspondence "V", 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.70
Correspondence "W", 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.71
Walter J. Walsh, 1941-1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.72
World Trade Center (Marine Museum), 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.73
General, 1940.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.74
General, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.75
General, 1943.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.76
General, 1944-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.77
General, 1946-1948.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.78
General, 1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 2
File Unit: 1.79
General, 1951.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Series: 2
Miscellaneous records, 1926-1949 .
Physical Description:
34 folders
Organization
Organized to the file unit level.
Arrangement
Arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
Miscellaneous records of the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry.
Series includes meeting agendas, membership lists and applications, model
airplane requisitions, invitations and invitee lists, corporation papers,
publicity, artifact inventory and lists, campaign outline, general concept, and
attendance records.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.1
Executive Committee agenda, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.2
San Francisco Park Commissioners agenda, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.3
Membership application, undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.4
Booklets/pamphlets/brochures, 1941-1946.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.5
Exhibit credits (models), (ca. 1945).
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.6
Models (Maritime Commission loan), 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.7
Invitation list, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.8
Marine Exchange of San Francisco, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.9
Organizational information, undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.10
Publicity, 1943-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.11
Marine section inventory, 1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.12
Invitation (Aquatic Park dance), 1949.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.13
Invoices, 1940.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.14
Invoices, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.15
Invoices, 1942.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.16
Invoices, 1944.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.17
Invoices, 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.18
Letter (to Lory from Henriette), 1926.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Refers to Alma Spreckels.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.19
Letterhead (blank), undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.20
Lists of artifacts, 1940-1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.21
List of Marine Museums, (ca. 1948).
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.22
Lists of trustees, undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.23
Memorandum (U.S. Navy), 1945.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Ref: Salvage and care of trophies an relics of historical interest
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.24
Minutes, 1941-1942.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.25
Newspaper articles, (ca. 1948).
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.26
Museum campaign outline, undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.27
General concept plan, undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.28
Proposed San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry,
undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
See Series 1, File Unit 15 for nearly identical proposal.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.29
Receipts for models, etc., 1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.30
Attendance records, 1940-1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.31
President's report (Campbell McGregor), 1943.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.32
Model plane requisitions, 1947.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.33
Proposed resolution (Aquatic Park Building), undated.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Written by Marvin Lewis.
Box: 3
File Unit: 2.34
Attendance records, 1941.
Physical Description:
1 folder.
Note
Loose pages removed from Visitors Log, Box 4.
Series: 3
Visitor logbooks, 1940-1943 .
Physical Description:
2 v.
Organization
Organized by volume.
Arrangement
Arranged by volume.
Scope and Content Note
Visitors logbooks from the Casino Building, Aquatic Park, where the San
Francisco Museum of Science and Industry had its displays of ships models and
nautical equipment. Visitors signed and dated one book from August 22, 1941 to
June 24, 1943. A second logbook (October 24, 1940 - August 24, 1941 and June 9,
1953 - June 11, 1953) contains visitor's comments about the museum.
Box: 5
File Unit: 3.1
Visitors logbook, 1940-1941, 1953.
Physical Description:
1 v..
Box: 4
File Unit: 3.2
Vistors logbook, 1941-1943.
Physical Description:
1 v..
