The Pierce Family Papers (1841-1940) were created or collected by this prominent, pioneering Davisville, California (Davis) family. The collection is divided into 8 series: George W. Pierce, Sr.; Eunice Pierce; George W. Pierce, Jr.; Susan Gilmore Pierce; George Gardner Pierce; Dixwell Lloyd Pierce; The Pierce Family; and Photographs. Series named for individuals contain items created or collected by that individual family member. The series titled, The Pierce Family, is made up of items not attributed to just one family member or items that cannot be identified as belonging to any certain family member. The Photographs series consists of photographs (1878-1929) of the Pierce Family; Yolo County and Sacramento Valley sites; agricultural activities on the Pierce Ranch near Davisville and other Yolo County locations; the California Almond Growers' Exchange; the University of California; and other topics. The bulk of the records in this collection are those of George W. Pierce, Jr. He is especially known for playing a significant role in the founding of the University of California, Davis by energetically campaigning to have the University Farm located in his hometown of Davisville. Records relating to the selection of Davis as the site for the University Farm as well as records relating to the purchase of land and water rights for the farm can be found in this collection. Many types of materials make up the Pierce Family Papers including correspondence, legal documents, financial records, diaries, printed material, artifacts, creative works, notes, travel guides and brochures, and photographs. The numerous diaries included in the Pierce Family Papers are a particularly rich source of information for researchers of any number of topics such as late nineteenth and early twentieth century agriculture; labor issues; Yolo County and California history; the almond growing industry; and the history of the University of California.

Members of the Pierce Family were prominent, pioneering citizens of Davisville (Davis), California.

11.2 Cubic Feet

The Library can only claim physical ownership of the Pierce Family Papers. The literary rights to the works of Pierce Family Papers are protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. Unpublished manuscript materials including journals may not be copied without express permission from the copyright holders. It is impossible for us to determine the identity of other possible claimants of literary property. Responsibility for identifying and satisfying such claimants must be assumed by users wishing to publish the materials.

Collection is open for research.