Bishop (Frances Evelyn) Papers (Calaveras Big Trees State Park), 1852-1987, bulk 1852-1900 and 1975-1985

Collection context

Summary

Title:
A Guide to the Papers of Frances Evelyn Bishop
Dates:
1852-1987, bulk 1852-1900 and 1975-1985
Creators:
Bishop, Frances Evelyn
Abstract:
The papers of Frances Bishop were donated to the Department of Parks and Recreation and consist of 4.5 cubic feet of materials. The papers date between 1852 and 1987, with the bulk of the materials between 1852 and 1900 and 1975-1985. Document types include annotated manuscript drafts and typescripts, research notes and note cards, correspondence, articles and news clippings, and photographs.
Extent:
4.5 Cubic Feet
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Francis Evelyn Bishop Papers. 243.1. Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Arnold,CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Frances Evelyn Bishop have been organized into four series and four subseries.

  • Series I: Publications
  • Series II: Background Research
    • Subseries I: Individuals
    • Subseries II: Places and subjects
    • Subseries III: Graphics
    • Subseries IV: General background materials
  • Series III: Personal Papers
  • Series IV: Calaveras Big Trees Association

The papers of Frances Bishop were donated to the Department of Parks and Recreation and consist of 4.5 cubic feet of materials. The papers date between 1852 and 1987, with the bulk of the materials between 1852 and 1900 and 1975-1985. Document types include annotated manuscript drafts and typescripts, research notes and note cards, correspondence, articles and news clippings, and photographs.

Folder headings were copied and material were rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes. Harmful fasteners, such as brads and paper clips, were removed and replaced with plastic clips. Photographs were sleeved in polyethylene sleeves. Newspaper articles were photocopied and the originals discarded.

Often, it is unclear which notes and graphical materials correlate with which writing effort, and occasionally several articles or manuscript drafts will use the same graphics. No attempt has been made to separate background research materials and relate them to specific efforts.

Frances Bishop was an extremely meticulous researcher, often questioning her sources and her own conclusions. For this reason, and because her major work was still in progress, the vast majority of her handwritten notes and her research note cards have been retained and kept in their original order when possible.

Biographical / historical:

Frances Bishop was born in Sacramento and grew up in the Stockton area, attending school in both Stockton and the town of Lodi. She was a descendent of a pioneer family, and her aunt and uncle, Frances and Charles Gann, owned grazing land along Highway 4 above Cottage Springs. Bishop and her husband, Thomas Bishop, moved to the town of Arnold in 1967.

As a historian, researcher, and writer, Bishop's life work focused on the history of the Calaveras Big Trees, with an emphasis on the Ebbett's Pass area. For nearly 30 years, Bishop gathered facts from various repositories and individuals for her articles, brochures, and unpublished manuscript. She served as historian for the Calaveras Big Trees Association for 13 years, often contributing articles to the organization's newsletter. Although her major work remains unpublished, Bishop's influence permeates the brochures, trail guides, maps, and interpretation of Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Acquisition information:
The papers of Frances Bishop were donated to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Physical location:
Please contact the Calaveras Big Trees State Park for information regarding the location of this collection.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Victoria Yturralde
Date Prepared:
May 23, 2002
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Heather Hajek using HTML-Kit on August 8, 2002 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Please contact the Calaveras Big Trees State Park for information regarding publication of any material from this collection.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Francis Evelyn Bishop Papers. 243.1. Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Arnold,CA.

Location of this collection:
4940 Lang Ave. Suite 114
McClellan, CA 95652, US
Contact:
(916) 263-0779