The papers consist primarily of writings, correspondence, notes, reports, memoranda, minutes, bulletins, clippings, pamphlets, serial issues, and other printed matter, relating to the U.S. Department of State, international education, educational activities of UNESCO, political and economic conditions in East Asia, the Free China cause, and Sino-Soviet relations. Of particular importance are ephemera, clippings, and other research materials related to Chinatowns, especially San Francisco Chinatown, and to Chinese Americans.

Named after George Pardee, the governor of California, Pardee Lowe (1904-1996) was born in San Francisco, California, to Lowe Fat Yuen (also known as Low Fat Yuen; pinyin: Liu Fa Yuan) and Miss Ho (Yip) Lowe (boxes 328, 448, 450). Following the 1906 earthquake and fire, Lowe's family relocated to Oakland, California. While Mrs. Lowe operated a store in West Oakland, Lowe Fat Yuen remained active in business and civic affairs in San Francisco, as a merchant with Sun Loy Co. and vice president of the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Pardee Lowe became active in the Oakland High School ROTC unit, the YMCA, and church activities of the Union Street Presbyterian Church (box 322). Throughout his life Lowe continued to be extremely active in social, professional, alumni, and fraternal organizations and associations.

525 manuscript boxes, 13 card file boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 3 oversize folders (220.4 Linear Feet)

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.