Register of the
Lou
Henry
Hoover
miscellaneous papers
Finding aid prepared by David Jacobs and Evelyn McMillan
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2003, 2015, 2021
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title:
Lou
Henry
Hoover
miscellaneous papers
Date (inclusive): 1820-1984
Collection Number: XX656
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1 manuscript box, 9 oversize boxes, 1 envelope, memorabilia
(10.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Passport, 1913; war zone passes, 1918; sketch of
Lou
Henry
Hoover
, 1931; portfolio of reproductions of drawings of Spanish missions in California, 1933; and sketches of the White House, Capitol
Building, Washington Monument, and Mount Vernon.
Creator:
Hoover,
Lou
Henry
, 1874-1944
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Boxes 3-5, and 10 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of 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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item],
Lou
Henry
Hoover
miscellaneous papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
1874 |
Born, Iowa |
1894 |
Enters Stanford University, where she meets her future husband, Herbert Hoover, also a Stanford student in the Geology Department |
1899 |
Marries Herbert Hoover |
1900-1918 |
Travels extensively with her husband in his career as an engineer, living in China, Siberia, and London, among other places.
Accompanies Herbert Hoover on some trips associated with relief activities during and after World War I, and is active herself
in charitable work
|
1919 |
Supervises construction of home on Stanford campus |
1921-1929 |
Lives in Washington, D.C., where her husband is Secretary of Commerce. Is active in the Girl Scout movement |
1929-1933 |
First Lady of the United States |
1944 |
Dies |
Scope and Content Note
The
Lou
Henry
Hoover
collection in the Hoover Institution Library & Archives preserves selected items associated with the life of First Lady
Lou
Henry
Hoover
, the wife of Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States.
Herbert Hoover's career as a mining engineer took him to many different countries, and he and
Lou
Henry
Hoover
lived abroad for more than a decade prior to World War I. The collection contains a set of souvenir spoons purchased by
Lou
Henry
Hoover
on her foreign travels.
It was while living in London in 1914, at the outbreak of hostilities, that
Lou
Henry
Hoover
and her husband became involved in helping Americans leave war-torn Europe. Herbert Hoover went on to head the Commission
for Relief in Belgium from 1915-1919, and his wife assisted him in this activity. There are examples of needlepoint lace in
the collection that were given to the Hoovers in recognition of their efforts on behalf of Belgium.
The Hoovers spent the 1920s in Washington, D.C., where Herbert Hoover served first as Secretary of Commerce and then as President.
Lou
Henry
Hoover
took a keen interest in the architecture of the nation's capital, and there is a significant collection of historical prints
of Washington scenes, especially of the White House, in the collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Drawing
Missions, Spanish -- California -- Pictorial works
California -- Pictorial works
Washington (D.C.) -- Pictorial works
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
BIOGRAPHICAL FILE
1898-1984
Scope and Contents note
Certificates, diplomas, and proclamations; clipping; invitation; nomination form; year book; and war zone passes, all arranged
alphabetically by physical form.
Certificates, diplomas, and proclamations
General note
See also OVERSIZE MATERIALS
box 1, folder 1
Embossed cover of
Lou
Henry
Hoover's
Stanford diploma
undated
box 1, folder 2
Certificate given to
Lou
Henry
Hoover
on the occasion of her being awarded the Médaille de la Reine Elisabeth, Belgium
1919 June 19
box 1, folder 3
Proclamation given to
Lou
Henry
Hoover
upon her being awarded the Croix de Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold, Belgium
1919 September
Scope and Contents note
Includes letter regarding this award, 1919
box 1, folder 4
Diploma issued upon award of honorary doctorate, Whittier College, Whittier, California
1928 August 17
box 1, folder 5
Diploma given in award of honorary doctorate, Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland
1931 April 24
box 1, folder 7
Invitation for Stanford commencement exercises
1898
box 1, folder 8
Nomination form
1984
Scope and Contents note
Photocopy of form submitted by James P. Delgado in nomination of the
Lou
Henry
Hoover
House for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Includes a floor plan of the house
box 1, folder 9
Year Book. Printed copy of
Stanford Quad
1898
box 1, folder 10
War zone passes
1918
Scope and Contents note
Documents issued to
Lou
Henry
Hoover
by the U.S. government for entry into port areas in New York and New Jersey
CORRESPONDENCE
1915-1934
Scope and Contents note
Letters, arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent
OVERSIZE MATERIALS
1820-1963
Scope and Contents note
Art works, ceremonial award case, clothing and handicrafts, diplomas, passport, photographs, printed matter, and silverware,
arranged alphabetically by physical form.
Art works
General note
See also MISCELLANY, below
box 2, folder 1
"The Ascent to the Capitol, Washington," engraving by Bartlett, London
undated
box 2, folder 2
"Capitol - Washington," tinted engraving published by Hermann J. Meyer
undated
box 2, folder 3
"Capitol of the U.S., Washington," engraving by W. Goodacre
undated
box 2, folder 4
Lithograph by C. Allen Sherman depicting the Washington Monument
undated
box 2, folder 5
"President's House," tinted print depicting lithograph by August Köllnac(?)
undated
box 2, folder 6
"The President's House (1799)," reproduction of sketch
undated
box 2, folder 7
"President's House, North Front," lithograph
undated
box 2, folder 8
"The President's House, Washington," engraving
undated
box 2, folder 9
"Presidentens i de Fórente Staterna Residence i Washington," lithograph by C. Müller
undated
box 2, folder 10
"St. John's Church in the City of Washington, with the President's House as It Appeared in 1816, When the Church Was Built,"
copy of a water color by Benjamin Latrobe
undated
box 2, folder 11
"A Front View of the President's House, Washington," engraving
1820 April
box 2, folder 12
"East Front of the Capitol," engraving of a drawing by C. Bullfinch
1821
box 2, folder 13
"West Front of the Capitol," engraving of a drawing by C. Bullfinch
1821
box 2, folder 14
"A Back View of the Capitol, Washington," engraving
1827
box 2, folder 15
"United States Capitol," engraving of a drawing by C. Bullfinch,"
1827
box 2, folder 16
"The President's House, Washington," print from copper plate
1830
box 2, folder 17
"The Capitol, Washington, D.C.," lithograph by T. Doughty
1832
box 2, folder 18
"The President's House, Washington," lithograph of a sketch by A. A. Hoftag
1834
box 2, folder 19
"The Capitol," engraving
1840
box 2, folder 20
"The Capitol," engraving
1845
box 2, folder 21
"Das Capitol von Washington," engraving by Kraus
1850
box 2, folder 22
"The New Capitol (Washington)," tinted engraving published by Hermann J. Meyer
1851
box 2, folder 23
"View of Washington City," lithograph
1860
box 2, folder 24
"The White House, Washington, D.C.," print
circa 1930
Scope and Contents note
Signed by Herbert and
Lou
Henry
Hoover
box 2, folder 25
Three lithographs by J. C. Claghorn
circa 1931
Scope and Contents note
One depicting the Washington monument; one, Mt. Vernon; and one, the White House
box 2, folder 26
"From the South Portico of the White House," lithograph by J. C. Claghorn
1931
Scope and Contents note
Three prints, of which two are signed by Herbert and
Lou
Henry
Hoover
box 2, folder 27
Pencil sketch of
Lou
Henry
Hoover
1931
box 2, folder 28
Painting depicting the
Lou
Henry
Hoover
Memorial YMCA, Palo Alto, California
1960
art rack, online digital
Portrait of
Lou
Henry
Hoover
1930
Scope and Contents
Oil on canvas, wood and gilt gesso frame. Signed by the artist, Peter Alexander Ilyin. 31 inches by 26 inches.
box 3
Ceremonial award case for the Croix de Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold
1919
Conditions Governing Access
Box 3 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
os_folder 2
Beaded gown worn by
Lou
Henry
Hoover
os_folder 2
String of beads worn by
Lou
Henry
Hoover
Belgian needlepoint lace presented to
Lou
Henry
Hoover
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains lace tablecloths and shawls given to the Hoovers in appreciation of the support the Commission for Relief in Belgium
gave to the lace workers during World War I and lace items made during and/or shortly after World War I to commemorate the
aid given to the Belgium lace makers by the Commission for Relief in Belgium (C.R.B). Also includes ornate presentation cover
for lace.
Citations on lace descriptions from: Kellogg, Charlotte, Bobbins of Belgium, Funk & Wagnalls Co., New York. 1920; Merritt,
Elaine. "War Lace: Commemorating Victory and Determination," Piecework Magazine, July/August, 1999, pg. 24-29' Wardle, Patricia.
"War and Peace: lace designs by the Belgian sculptor Isidore de Rudder," Bulletin van het Rijksmuseum, Jaarg. 37, Nr. 2. 1989.
pg. 73-90.
box 11
Black triangular shawl of handmade Chantilly bobbin lace
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 9' x 5'. The central motif is of an arched garden arbor (or trellis) surrounded by large tropical leaves and
flowers. [See Kellogg, page 127, for discussion of Chantilly lace production during the war.]
Access
Box 11 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 11
Cream colored triangular shawl of handmade bobbin lace motifs appliqued to a machine-made netting
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 9' x 4.5'. Floral motifs with scroll designs throughout. The centers of the flowers and the scrolls contain
needle lace fillings.
Access
Box 11 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 4, folder 3
A small item of mixed Brussels Duchess lace
Scope and Contents note
Measured at 11" x 7", in which the bobbin-made lace with floral motifs has been applied to a machine-made ground and embellished
with needle lace dots and rings. Perhaps it was intended to decorate the end of a scarf or some other article of clothing.
Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 4
A piece of heavy, woven fabric
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 48" x 14", with a printed pattern, woven with beige and light tan colored threads of varying thicknesses and
overprinted (perhaps block printed) with a slightly darker shade of tan. It seems to be a remnant, perhaps of a length of
upholstery fabric and perhaps done by a noted Belgian artist. [Several Belgium artists created designs for the Lace Committee
of the C. R. B. See discussion of the work of one of these artist, M. de Rudder, in Kellogg, pg. 195 and in article by Wardle]
box 4, folder 2
Round doily in filet lace
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 10" with the Seal of the United States of America darned into the handmade netting.
Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 4, folder 4
Small round doily in filet lace
Scope and Contents
Approximately 6" with the Seal of the United States of America darned into the handmade netting.
Conditions Governing Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 4, folder 5
Bobbin lace with wheat and corn motifs
Conditions Governing Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
Scope and Contents
Approximately 22" rectangular piece, with the words "Sysseele by Bruges Dank aan America."
box 4, folder 6
Handkerchief with lace edging
1914-1915
Conditions Governing Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 4, folder 1
Fan-leaf of Point de Gaze needle lace, designed by artist Lucie Rothschild-Lambert for the Lace Committee of the C. R. B
Scope and Contents note
The center of the fan-leaf depicts eight human figures, with the lead figure holding the crown of victory and an olive branch
as the figures soar over the burning cities of Belgium. Many of the "animals of the allies" are worked into the swirling design
on each side of the fan-leaf, below the figures. To the right are the Belgian lion, the Portuguese wyvern, the Great Britain
unicorn, the Russian bear, and a small dove holding an olive branch in its beak. On the left can be found the Portuguese wyvern
again, the Italian lion, the American eagle, the French rooster, and a lamb. Below these can be found narrow borders with
implements of war depicted: rifles, swords, packs, and what are perhaps grenades and gas masks. Below these, on the left,
is worked the name of the artist who designed the lace, Rothschild-Lambert, the year 1914 and the initials C.R.B. The entire
fan-leaf is edged in a narrow needle lace border.
Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
box 5
Square tablecloth inset with needle lace emblems for the United States and Belgium
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 46" x 46". There are also twelve needle lace stars and embroidered wheat sheaves that contain cutwork. The American
eagle lace insets are in the center of the cloth as well as the four corners. Inset along the four sides of the cloth is the
Belgium lion motif, also done in needle lace with the date of 1915/6 and Belgique worked in the lace. There is a 4" wide,
floral border of Point de Paris bobbin lace on the outer edge of the cloth. [See Kellogg, plate fp, 89 for an example of smaller
cloth with the same American eagle inset and the same embroidered wheat sheaves.]
Access
Box 5 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
box 5
Round tablecloth with bobbin lace inserts representing the emblems of the allied nations
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 40.5" in diameter. The bobbin lace inserts that depict the emblems of the allies include: the Japanese chrysanthemum
at the center of the cloth, surrounded by the two narrow bobbin lace inserts with the date of 1914-1915, beyond that are the
bobbin lace insets depicting the coats of arms for France, Great Britain, Imperial Russia, Italy, Rumania, Montenegro, Portugal,
Belgium and Serbia. Throughout the cloth there are elongated stars and triangles done with hemstitching. The outside border
is a wide border of Point de Paris bobbin lace showing "the animals of the allies:" the Russian bear, Belgian lion, French
cock, and the British unicorn. [See Kellogg, plate fp 161 for an example of this same border.]
Access
Box 5 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
box 5
Square tablecloth with eight squares of Point de Venise needle lace depicting emblems of the allies
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 50" x 50." These needle lace squares are set into the cloth with alternating squares of Flemish mixed lace (bobbin
lace motifs set into needle lace grounds), and squares of cutwork with embroidery. The allied nations represented in the needle
lace squares are (from the top of the cloth and right to left) Serbia, France, Great Britain, Montenegro, Belgium, Italy,
Imperial Russia, and Japan. The outer edge of the cloth is finished with a wide Point de Venise needle lace border.
Access
Box 5 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
box 10
Large round tablecloth of Point de Venise needle lace
1916
Conditions Governing Access
Box 10 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
Scope and Contents
72 inch diameter needle-lace tablecloth. Central motif is two cherubs scattering flowers, with a banner reading "Belgique
souvenir reconnaissant a Mrs. Herbert Hoover 1914-1915-1916."
Diplomas issued in award of honorary degrees to
Lou
Henry
Hoover
box 6, folder 1
Honorary doctorate, Swarthmore College
1929
box 6, folder 2
Honorary doctorate, Elmira College
1930 June 9
box 6, folder 3
Honorary doctorate, Wooster College
1932 May 14
box 6, folder 4
Honorary master of art degree, Tufts University
1932 June 15
box 7, folder 1
Passport
1913
Scope and Contents note
Diplomatic passport issued in London to
Lou
Henry
Hoover
for her trip to Russia, 1913 October 10
box 7, folder 2
One print depicting the exterior of the White House
undated
box 7, folder 3
One print depicting
Lou
Henry
Hoover
undated
box 7, folder 4
Six prints depicting the exterior and interior of the
Lou
Henry
Hoover
House
undated
box 7, folder 5
One print depicting the White House
undated
box 7, folder 6
One print depicting
Lou
Henry
Hoover
1928
box 7, folder 7
One print depicting the exterior of
Lou
Henry
Hoover
School, Whittier, California
1955
box 7, folder 8
The Romance of El Camino Real
1933
Scope and Contents note
Book of illustrations of California missions, encased in a leather book cover embossed with the title and
Lou
Henry
Hoover's
name. Includes presentation certificate
box 7, folder 9
Journal of the American Institute of Architects
1963 January
Scope and Contents note
Printed copy of serial issue containing illustrations of Washington, D.C.
box 7, folder 10
Silverware. Twelve souvenir spoons collected by
Lou
Henry
Hoover
during her travels abroad
1900-1910
Scope and Contents note
Includes invitation, note, and postcard, all relating to Jessie S. Jones, aunt of
Lou
Henry
Hoover
, establishing the provenance of the spoons
MISCELLANY
1792, undated
Scope and Contents note
Three framed prints and one presentation folder for Belgian lace
art rack
One framed Chinese print on fabric
undated
os_folder 1
One print, "Plan of the City of Washington"
1792
box 8
One framed photograph depicting
Lou
Henry
Hoover
undated
map_case
One ornate presentation folder for Belgian lace
undated
box 9
Correspondence
1914-1919
Scope and Contents
Relating to relief work