Inventory of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Records

Sydney Bailey

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 653-2246

Fax: (916) 653-7363

Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov

URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/

Inventory of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Records

Collection number: R367

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Sydney Bailey
Date Completed:: October 2006
Encoded by:: Melissa Tyler

Descriptive Summary

Title: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records

Dates: 1981-1990

Collection number: R367

Creator: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission

Collection Size: 3 cubic feet of textual records, 440 photographs, 68 negative strips, 154 slides, one blue print, 25 building plans, 1 poster transparency, 2 publicity posters, 10 videos, 3 audio cassettes and 2 audio reel recordings

Repository: California State Archives

Sacramento, California

Abstract: The scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records cover the eight year period of the Commission's existence and the tasks granted to the Commission to create a memorial dedicated to California Vietnam Veterans. Topics include fundraising, Commission finances, media promotions, the design and construction of the memorial, and construction progress.

Physical location: California State Archives

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Administrative Information

Restrictions

All series are open to research except series R367.07 (Memorial Correspondence Files) which are restricted per concerns regarding third party information, Information Practices Act, California Civil Code, beginning with section 1798.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Records, R367, [series number], Box/Folder, California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition Information

The California State Archives acquired the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records according to state law.

Agency History

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission was established by Statutes 1983, chapter 1042 (AB650-Floyd) as a limited term nine-member Commission that oversaw the design and construction of California's Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The Commission existed to set policy, select and hire staff that would solicit contributions to design and construct the memorial, monitor the design and construction process, and establish a program for the dedication of the memorial.

The memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 28, 1990. Per Statutes 1987, chapter 731 the Commission was dissolved on January 1 of the following year. Remaining Commission funds were dedicated for continued care of the Memorial and for distribution to other Veteran's organizations.

Scope and Content

The records of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission consist of 87 files folders, 440 photographs, 68 negative strips, 154 slides, one blue print, 25 building plans, 1 poster transparency, 2 publicity posters, 10 videos, 3 audio cassettes and 2 audio reel recordings. The textual records contain primarily correspondence, memorandum, minutes, newspaper articles, activity reports, and staff notes. Audio visual materials are of publicity promotions and newscasts.

The scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission records cover the eight year period of the Commission's existence and the tasks granted to the Commission to create a memorial dedicated to California Vietnam Veterans. Topics include fundraising, Commission finances, media promotions, the design and construction of the memorial, and construction progress.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission

California Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Sacramento, Calif.)

War memorials

folder R367.01. Box 1/1-1/2.

Series 1. Legislative Files 1985-1990

Physical Description: 2 file folders.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Files contain reports to the Legislature (1995-1990) regarding Commission activities as well as one file on legislative bills of interest to the Commission. Bill subjects include use of funds from the State's General Fund, use of Commission funds, and Commission authority. Files include reports, analysis, memorandum, news clippings and correspondence.

folder R367.02. Box 1/3-1/8.

Series 2. Minutes 1984-1990

Physical Description: 6 file folders.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Minutes of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission meetings. The minutes include discussion of policy, procedure, construction progress, general administration, and funding of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Files include meeting agendas and minutes.

folder R367.03. Box 1/9-1/16.

Series 3. Correspondence Files 1982-1989

Physical Description: 8 file folders.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence regarding Commission activities, events, fundraising, donations and other actions of the Commission. Files include correspondence, news clippings, memorandum, minutes, proposals, meeting materials, and thank you correspondence for donations of labor and funds.

folder R367.04. Box 1/17-1/28.

Series 4. Publicity Files 1984-1990

Physical Description: 12 file folders, 214 photographs, 10 videos, 2 posters, 1 poster transparency, 3 audio cassettes, 2 audio reels.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject.

Scope and Content Note

General publicity materials of Commission events including the Ground Breaking Ceremony, dedication, and transfer of the memorial to the State. Materials include publicity stills, programs, posters, examples of fundraising materials, and other publicity packets. Photographs are primarily of the "Turn Over" Ceremony and the Memorial. Videos are of publicity promotions and newscasts.

folder R367.05. Box 1/28-1/36.

Series 5. Memorial Design Files 1984-1990

Physical Description: 8 file folders, 154 slides, 226 photographs, and 68 negative strips.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Vietnam Veterans Memorial design competition information and publicity files, including layout and panel design, design changes, additions and insurance specifications for the model of the memorial. Photographs and/or slides are of designs entered into the competition and of the completed memorial.

folder R367.06. Box 2/1-2/5.

Series 6. Financial Files 1987-1990

Physical Description: 5 file folders.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Audit and financial records of the Commission. Subjects include: Memorial Audit Committee, 1989; audit provided by Arthur Young, 1987; use of a tax form check box for donations to the Memorial Commission; receipts and disbursements; and final disbursement of Commission funds. Files include correspondence, receipts, record of disbursements, and audits.

folder R367.07. Box 2/6-2/23.

Series 7. Contract Files 1981-1990

Physical Description: 18 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by Contractor name.

Scope and Content Note

Standard agreements with various vendors hired by the Commission for Memorial construction, and design, as well as marketing and fundraising. Files include contracts, memorandum, correspondence, receipts, expenditures and product samples.

folder R367.08. Box 3/1-3/4.

Series 8. Directories 1989

Physical Description: 4 file folders.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Content Note

Criteria used to determine the names to appear on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and two directories, or lists of names, selected for the Memorial. The lists are not complete.

folder R367.09. Box 3/5-3/27.

Series 9. Memorial Correspondence Files 1985-1990

Physical Description: 24 file folders.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence between Commission members and friends/family of veterans requesting veteran's names be placed on the Memorial. Includes correspondence to and from the Commission, news clippings, and, in many cases, documentation of the veteran's birth, death and military status.

Access Information

RESTRICTED, per Information Practices Act, California Civil Code, beginning with section 1798.

folder R367.10. Box 3/28.

Series 10. Design Plans 1985-1988

Physical Description: 1 file folder, 1 blue print, 25 plans.

Arrangement

Arranged according to plan/blue print number.

Scope and Content Note

One blue print and twenty five construction/design plans of various aspects of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial including panel view, elevations, and landscape design. File folder (3/28) contains a list of Design Plans, also see Appendix A in the master finding aid at the Research Room of the California State Archives.