Inventory of the Maria Wolters papers
Finding aid prepared by Lyalya Kharitonova
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2011
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Maria Wolters papers
Date (inclusive): 1874-1959
Collection Number: 41000
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box
(3.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The collection includes materials related to famine and earthquake relief and welfare in Japan, and consists of writings,
correspondence, photographs, clippings, and memorabilia.
Creator:
Wolters, Maria, 1866-1962
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
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.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1941.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Maria Wolters papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
Maria Wolters was a German-American relief worker in Japan from 1904 to 1959. She organized a fundraising drive in the U.S.
that raised millions for farmers and victims of earthquakes. She also donated large sums out of her savings for child welfare
in Japan.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers relate to the life of Wolters, documenting her fundraising campaign for relief efforts in Japan in 1904-1959. The
collection includes some biographical information on Wolters, correspondence file, drafts and typescript of Wolters's memoir
"The Power of Love," as well as other writings on her relief efforts in Japan. The papers contain a set of
Relief work files with a variety of collected material such as "The Food-Blockade Petition Book," a scrapbook, financial records, and printed
matter. In addition, the collection contains photographs depicting Wolters and her Japanese colleagues and friends.
Related Materials
Herbert Hoover subject collection, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Stanley K. Hornbeck papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
American National Red Cross records, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
International relief
Child welfare -- Japan
Biographical File
1874-1959
Scope and Contents note
Includes identification documents, letters of reference, photographs, and Wolters's will.
Arrangement note
Arranged alphabetically by physical form
box 1, folder 1-2
Identification documents
1922-1936
box 1, folder 5-11
Photographic prints of Wolters, her family, and friends
1874-1956
box 1, folder 12
Will and testament
1959
Scope and Contents note
Includes drafts and copy of letter to Herbert Hoover
Correspondence
1903-1959
Arrangement note
Arranged in two groups: General and alphabetical, the latter by name of person or organization
box 2, folder 8
American schools
1931-1936
box 2, folder 9
Japanese officials
circa 1918
box 2, folder 11
American Red Cross
1927-1928
box 2, folder 13
Board of Education, Los Angeles
1934-1954
box 2, folder 14
Boy Scouts of America
1932
box 2, folder 16
Bruhn, Lucy, M.
1932-1933
box 2, folder 17-18
Chinese Foreign Famine Relief Committee, Shanghai
1931-1936
box 2, folder 19
Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles
1952-1957
box 2, folder 20
Consulate General of Japan, New York
1906-1911
box 2, folder 21
Eisenhower, Dwight
1949-1957
box 2, folder 24
Hoover, Herbert
1927-1948
box 2, folder 25
Japanese Imperial Garden parties invitations
1933-1936
box 2, folder 26
Kleinsorg, W. H.
1958-1959
box 3, folder 6
Roseboro, Viola
1932-1936
box 3, folder 7
Stanford University
1941-1959
box 3, folder 8-10
Suzuki, Hidesaburo
1926-1956
Writings
1903-1959
Scope and Contents note
Consists of appeals, petitions, poems, and books
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically except for the memoir, which is at the end
box 3, folder 13-22
Appeals, petitions, poems, and notes
1903-1959
box 4, folder 1-5
"The Power of Love," memoir
1950
Scope and Contents note
Includes manuscript, typescript, and binder's copy
Relief Work Files
1904-1959
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence, contacts, financial documents, printed matter, scrapbooks, and clippings
Arrangement note
Arranged alphabetically by subject
box 4, folder 10
Financial documents
1904-1959
Scope and Contents note
Includes statements from the Maria Wolters Fund, receipts from charities, and daily expenses notebooks
box 5, folder 1-4
Financial documents
1904-1959
Scope and Contents note
Includes statements from the Maria Wolters Fund, receipts from charities, and daily expenses notebooks
box 5, folder 5
"Food-Blockade Petition Book," a scrapbook by people who sighed the petition for the abolishment of a war time food blockade
1928-1941
box 5, folder 6
Red Cross decoration
1926
Scope and Contents note
See also Memorabilia
box 5, folder 7-11
School Boys' and Girls' World Friendship League
1925-1957
Scope and Contents note
Includes appeals, correspondence, writings, printed matter, clippings, and lists of committee members
box 5, folder 12-13
Miscellany
circa 1950
Scope and Contents note
Includes printed matter, clippings, and notes
Memorabilia
1920-1950
Scope and Contents note
Handmade appreciation gifts, memorial coins collection, and jewelry box
box 6
Handmade appreciation gifts from Japan
circa 1950
box 6
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz medal with ribbon
1926
box 6
German and Austrian World War I Commemorative coins
circa 1920
Scope and Contents note
Includes list of coins
