Guide to the Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women Records
MSS-2010-02-18
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2010-02-18
Physical Description:
53 boxes,
4 flat file drawers (87.58 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1887-2005 (bulk 1970-1997)
Abstract: The Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women Records document the formation of this museum, which was organized
to promote women's history. The records consist of administrative documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, video tapes,
and materials from exhibits.
Access
Collection is open for research, with the exception of the following materials: financial documents in Boxes 1, 2, 3, and
4.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women Records, MSS-2010-02-18, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Beth Noyes. Finding aid EAD encoded by Beth Noyes. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Additonal materials added
to series I, II, III and V, and finding aid updated, by Stephanie Watson, June 2016.
Organizational History
The International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.), originally called the Women's Heritage Museum (W.H.M.), was founded in 1985
when Jeanne McDonnell, Anne Murray, and Jane Van Dusen signed the papers of incorporation. The mission of this social change
museum was to value the lives of women around the world. The museum documented women's history through exhibits and sponsored
a variety of programs focused on educating the public and improving the status of women.
The first public program held by the museum provided historical information on the California suffragist Sarah Wallis, and
was held in a park named for her. In 1985, the museum also published the
Women's Heritage Museum News, a quarterly newsletter that was eventually distributed nationally. After its inception, the museum created several exhibits
documenting women's history. Since the museum lacked a permanent building, the exhibits were loaned to various museums and
venues for display.
California Woman Suffrage 1870-1911 opened in 1986 and was shown in the California State Capitol and the National Women's Hall of Fame in Senca Falls, New York.
Progress of the Women's World featured the works of 70 artists from over 50 countries and was displayed in the visitors lobby of the United Nations in
2000. The museum also sponsored local events, including an annual book fair, a program to provide educators with resources
for Women's History Month, tours of the Juana Briones House, and the reenactment of historical events. In addition, the museum
organized tours to sites of interest in women's history.
At a 1997 board meeting hosted by Eliabeth Colton, the members decided to take the museum in a new direction. Along with changing
the name to the International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.), the board began plans to secure a permanent exhibit space in San
Francisco. The Presidio Project was a plan to convert a building at Presidio Park into a museum space for the I.M.O.W. The
board also attempted to build a museum site at Pier 26 in San Francisco. These projects ultimately failed due to lack of funding
and the economic downturn. In addition, the I.M.O.W. initiated a speaker series, sponsoring lectures from authors, artists,
and political figures.
In 2005, the institution decided to "focus on creating a new kind of museum that would engage and impact women around the
world" through a digital environment (International Museum of Women, 2010). They supported this initiative through the creation
of several online exhibits, including the 2006 exhibit
Imagining Ourselves: A Global Generation of Women, which won the Anita Borg Social Impact Award. The I.M.O.W. also built strategic relationships with organizations that shared
similar goals.
Scope and Content of Collection
Records in this collection consist of administrative documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, and video tapes. The collection
contains information on museum exhibits, including
California Woman Suffrage 1870-1911, which opened in 1986 and was shown in the California State Capitol and the National Women's Hall of Fame in Senca Falls,
New York. Materials include artifacts that were used in musuem exhibits, such as the petticoat of Sarah Bard Field, a California
suffragist and poet.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into seven series: Series I. Administrative Files, 1985-1996; Series II. Exhibits and Programs,
1979-2004; Series III. Artifacts and Exhibit Materials, 1887-2003; Series IV. Career Action Files, 1971-1988; Series V. Publications
and Clippings, 1954-2005; Series VI. Audiovisual and Visual Materials, 1987-2004; and Series VII. Artwork, Posters, and Museum
Plans, 1983-2004.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women's rights -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Women's rights -- California
Women -- Suffrage -- California -- History -- Exhibitions
Women's rights -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area
Museums and women
Women -- Museums
Administrative Files Series I:
1985-2004
Series Scope and Content Summary
Materials in this series include general administrative files, board minutes, finances, correspondence, tour information,
fundraising records, building project records, traveling exhibit information, and consulting proposals. These records document
the organizational planning and financial operations of the Women's Heritage Musumem/International Museum of Women (W.H.M./I.M.O.W.).
Some of these documents date from 1985, the year the museum was founded. The material on the Board of Directors includes meeting
minutes, reports, and agendas. Financial information includes budgets, bank statements, tax information, and receipts; however,
these finanacial and tax records are restricted. This series also contains correspondence, information on other institutions,
and files on individuals.
The first executive director of the museum was Jeanne McDonnell, who served from 1985 to 1995. Diana Coleman took on this
role from 2002 to 2003, followed by Chris Yelton from 2003 to 2008. Corrina Marshal served as the interim director in 2008
until Clare Winterton took over the executive director post in 2009.
These records describe the organization's attempt to build a permanent museum. The Presidio Project was a plan to convert
a building at Presidio Park into a museum space for the W.H.M./I.M.O.W. The records documenting that project include a proposal
plan and correspondence. The W.H.M./I.M.O.W. also attempted to build a museum site at Pier 26 in San Francisco. The records
documenting this project consist mostly of proposals from consulting firms to assist the W.H.M./I.M.O.W. in their capital
campaign. There is also a design book for Chelsea Piers. Elevation drawings for this project are located in Series VII: Artwork,
Posters, and Museum Plans. These projects ultimately failed due to lack of funding and the economic downturn.
Documentation in this series includes tour arrangements for sites such as New York and Washington, D.C. Jeanne McDonnell,
Executive Director of the Women's Heritage Museum from 1985 to 1995, was involved in many of the tour arrangements, which
included trips to women's museums and other sites of interest. The series also documents W.H.M./I.M.O.W.'s grant writing and
fundraising activities.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 1-2
General Administrative Files
1985-1992
Box 3
General Administrative Files
1986-1994
Box 4
General Administrative Files
1993-1996
Box 5
Tour Information
1989-1992
Box 7
Presidio Project
1992-1995
Box 8
Publicity Files and Resumes
1993-1996
Box 9
Grants and Fundraising
1993-1997
Box 10
Pier 26 Capital Campaign
1966-2004
Box 11
Design Books and Portfolios
1999-2000, undated
Box 52
General Administrative Files
1995-1997
Box 53
General Administrative Files
1976-1997
Physical Description: 23 Folders
Exhibits and Programs Series II:
1925-2004 (bulk 1990-2000)
Series Scope and Content Summary
Materials in this series include administrative documents, exhibit records, correspondence, educational packets for teachers,
women's history publications, and news clippings. These records document exhibits, events and programs created by the Women's
Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women (W.H.M/I.M.O.W.) and other institutions. Exhibit information includes records
about planning exhibits and other administrative documentation, as well as information on specific exhibits created by the
W.H.M/I.M.O.W. Documentation includes information on the
Progress of the Women's World exhibit, which showcased artwork created by 70 artists from over 50 countries. The records on exhibit research include information
on Sarah Bard Field, a California suffragist and poet. Her petticoat is located in Series III: Artifacts and Exhibit Materials.
This series also documents the educational programs sponsored by the W.H.M./I.M.O.W. The organization developed curricula
and provided educators with resources for Women's History Month. The records on educational projects include school packets
and women's history publications. In addition, the W.H.M/I.M.O.W. sponsored an annual book fair, which often included a book
sale, awards ceremony, and lectures by various speakers. The documentation about the book fair includes administrative records,
correspondence, and financial information. Also included in this series are records from the Last Monday Club, which was a
networking group for professional women. These records include member profiles and newsletters.
Arrangement
This series is divided into two subseries and arranged chronologically within those subseries.
Box 12
Exhibit Information:
Progress of the Women's World Exhibit
1985-2002
Box 13
Exhibit Information: Miscellaneous
1925-1997 (bulk 1986-1997)
1986-1997
Box 14
Exhibit Information: Administrative Files and Planning
1986-1997
Box 15
Exhibit Information: Administrative Files and Planning
1997-2003
Box 16
Exhibit Information: Exhibit Concept Development
1999-2002
Box 17
Exhibit Information: Exhibit Research
1994
Box 18
Exhibit Information: Permanent Exhibit
2004
Box 19
Programs: Education
1979-1997
Box 20
Programs: Education
1994-1996
Box 21
Programs: Last Monday Club
1983-1992
Box 22
Programs: Book Fair
1992-1996
Box 23
Programs: Book Fair
1994-1998
Box 53
Exhibit Information: Administrative Files and Planning
1985-1996
Physical Description: 35 Folders
Artifacts and Exhibit Materials Series III:
1887-2003 (bulk 1980-1990)
Series Scope and Content Summary
Materials in this series include posters, banners, buttons, exhibit panels, phonograph records, textiles, and a typewriter
that was used as an exhibit prop. Many of these artifacts were used in Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women
(W.H.M./I.M.O.W.) exhibits.
The collection includes framed posters that were used in exhibits, including posters featuring historical figures such as
Emma Goldman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Addams, and Isador Duncan. Many of the posters focus on women's suffrage, including
a poster advertising the 75th anniversary exhibit of women's suffrage in California. Additional posters can be found in Series
VII: Artwork, Posters, and Museum Plans.
Various clippings in this series have been covered in polyester sheets for display, including sections of
The Women's Journal from 1887 and 1911. The collection has several banners, including scrolls from a United Nations event in 2000-2001 and a
banner for the California Equal Suffrage Association. This group of banners also contains brainstorming notes and a wall scroll
from the Women of the World exhibit, which appears to contain participant input.
The phonograph records in this series are recordings of women singers which were distributed by Rosetta Records as part of
the Women's Heritage Series. The record covers contain descriptive information about the performers and music.
The collection contains several textiles, the most notable of which is the petticoat of California suffragist and poet Sarah
Bard Field. There is also a prop typewriter that was used as an exhibit piece.
Arrangement
The series is arranged alphabetically by format.
Box 24-26
Banners and Scrolls
2000-2003, undated
Box 28
Exhibit Panels and Guest Book
1988-1989
Posters (Framed)
1986-1988, undated
Flat_File 29, drawer 16-18
Posters and Clippings for Display
1887-1988 (bulk 1977-1988)
1977-1988
Box 31
Typewriter (Prop)
undated
Career Action Files Series IV:
1971-1988
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains employment information focused on women's issues. The series is divided into six sections. The Government
section includes job applications and information on government employers. The County section contains employment data from
Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Documents from the Legal section include pamphlets, articles, and handbooks with information
on labor laws and other legislation. The Women in Careers section contains examples of women in different careers and statistics
concerning women in various professions. The Re-Entry section contains information on women re-entering the job market or
pursuing education after time away from those fields. Materials include a survey of re-entry women in California and a transcript
of the hearing of the Joint Committee on Legal Equality. The Status section contains documents from the Santa Clara Commission
on the Status of Women, as well as other reports on women in the workforce. The series also includes the Civil Rights Update
newsletter published by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Arrangement
The series is arranged chronologically.
Box 32-33
Career Action Files
1971-1988
Publications and Clippings Series V:
1954-2005
Series Scope and Content Summary
Materials in this series include magazines, newspapers, newsletters, articles, photographs, and slides. Many of these documents
were published by women's groups or focus on issues and events related to women. The news clippings by subject are arranged
alphabetically based on original subject headings. Topics include women's liberation, birth control/rate/defects, child care,
and working women. The publicity clippings and newsletters were articles written about the Women's Heritage Museum/International
Museum of Women (W.H.M./I.M.O.W.) that often highlighted their exhibits or events.
This series contains the
Women's Heritage Museum News, a newsletter that the Women's Heritage Museum published four times per year. In addition to providing articles about female
historical figures, these newsletters document museum developments, including exhibits and events. This box also contains
photographs and slides.
Documentation in this series includes Holly Millar's research, which consists mainly of newspapers, newsletters, pamphlets,
published materials, and documents detailing women's issues and legislation.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 34-36
News Clippings by Subject
1954-1991
Box 37
News Clippings (Women-General)
1969-1992
Box 38
News Clippings and Notes
1970-1979
Box 39
Magazines and Pamphlets
1970-1989
Box 40-42
Holly Millar's Research
1976-1992
Box 43
Project on the Status and Education of Women, and Newsletters and Newspapers (includes slides)
1977-1982
Box 45
Women's Heritage Museum Newsletters (includes photos and slides)
1985-1992
Box 46
Publicity for I.M.O.W.
1985-1993
Box 47
News Clippings and Publications
1911-2003 (bulk 1998-2003)
1988-2003
Audiovisual and Visual Materials Series VI:
1987-2004
Series Scope and Content Summary
Materials in this series include VHS and master videotapes, photographs, negatives, and slides. Many of the videos were produced
by Open Shutter Productions. Some videos focus on the museum, while others profile famous women. Titles include
California Women's Suffrage,
Women and the American Railroad,
Margaret Jenkins,
Red Emma Goldman, and the
Julia Morgan Interview. While most of the tapes are VHS, some are master or broadcast versions.
Box 50 contains a list of videotapes with the following titles:
Madeleine L'Engle: Star Gazer,
Berenice Abbott: A View of the 20th Century,
Kate Chopin's: The Story of an Hour,
World of Light: Portrait of Mary Sarton,
In Memoriam: HBO Special NYC 9/11/01,
Dream Spoken,
Mother Wove the Morning,
Learning Our Legacy,
The Cable Car and How it Works,
Votes for Women,
Women's Heritage Series: Jazz Women,
One Fine Day,
Take the Power,
Women of Wisdom and Power,
Amy L. Hill 510-653-2583,
Mary Sarton Live 1987,
Shana's Reading 4/14/87,
Petticoat Politics,
BIBBS on Research 3/8/95,
IMOW Sponsored Interview with Heidi Kuhn,
The Museum Business,
The Art of the Matter,
IMOW Commercial,
Introduction to IMOW,
IMOW Celebrating Women,
Safeway Employee Video,
75th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage,
Nichelodeon,
Stop Sweatshops,
Yes on Proposition B,
Women Beyond Borders. The list also gives a short description and category for each title. However, this is not a comprehensive list of the videotapes
in this series.
The photographs and slides document Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women (W.H.M./I.M.O.W.) events and exhibits.
There are photographs of the W.H.M. Book Fair and the I.M.O.W. at the Feminist Expo.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by format, and chronologically within formats.
Box 48
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides
1995-2003, undated
Box 53
Scrapbooks
1989-1996
Physical Description: 9 Folders
Artwork, Posters, and Museum Plans Series VII:
1983-2004
Series Scope and Content Summary
Materials in this series include posters, elevation drawings, architectural drawings, artistic museum drawings, and exhibit
mock-ups. The series contains architectural and artistic drawings from the project to build a museum at Pier 26 in San Francisco.
The architectural drawings, which include elevation drawings, were produced by the architectural team of Leddy Maytum Stacy
Architects, who were working in association with Ai+Architecture. Other drawings in this series show an artistic vision of
the museum building and interior.
This series contains posters for Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women (W.H.M./I.M.O.W.) exhibits, including
the
California Woman Suffrage 1870-1911,
Women of the World, and
Celebrating Women exhibits. Some of these artifacts are printed on posterboard and appear to have been used for exhibit displays. One poster
from the
California Woman Suffrage 1870-1911 exhibit includes text which notes that it was displayed at the main lobby of the War Memorial Building in 1995. The collection
also includes an undated war poster published by the National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company.
Arrangement
This series is arranged in its original order.
Flat_File 29, drawer 15
Posters and Pier 26 Drawings
1983-2003, undated
Flat_File 29, drawer 16
"Celebrating Women" Mock-Ups and California Woman Suffrage Posters
1987-2004, undated