Vacation Cyanotypes from Lake County, California, 1889-1890

Summary

Creators:

Elise S. Haas

Abstract:

This collection consists of 17 cyanotype prints of views at Lake County, California, collected by Elise Stern Haas. The photographs were taken in 1889-1890. The photographer is unknown.

Extent:

17 photographic prints ; cyanotype ; 13 x 21 cm. 17 digital objects

Language:

Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of 17 cyanotype prints of views at Lake County, California, collected by Elise Stern Haas. The photographs were taken in 1889-1890. The photographer is unknown. Included are images of family scenes and vacation views, mainly from Lake County, California, the Blue Lakes Hotel, boating (on Blue Lakes), children, picnics, and outings. Captions are written on or below the photographs and are reprinted in the container listing; some captions are supplied for the container list.

Biographical / historical:

Elise Stern Haas was born in San Francisco in 1893. She was the daughter of Rosalie Meyer and Sigmund Stern, who was the president of Levi Strauss and Co. and the nephew of the company's founder, Levi Strauss. In 1914 she married Walter A. Haas, who was president of Levi Strauss and Co. from 1928-1955. The company was eventually managed by their sons, Walter A. Haas Jr. and Peter Haas, under whose leadership the company became the largest apparel manufacturer in the world. Elise and Walter Haas had two sons and one daughter, as well as 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Elise S. Haas was known as a civic-minded patron of the arts and philanthropist. She was the president of Mount Zion Hospital from 1938-1940 and headed the San Francisco League of Women Voters. She also held Red Cross blood drives in World War II and headed the Visiting Nurse Association. She was the first woman president of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (formerly the San Francisco Museum of Art), and served on its women's board, the board of trustees, and served as its chairman from 1964-1966. During her term as president, the museum built up its permanent collection and solidified its financial base.

Elise Haas and her husband made significant contributions to health and education institutions, environmental causes, and social services. She died in 1990 at the age of 96.

(Source: ""Elise Haas -Arts Patron, Matriarch of S.F. Family." "San Francisco Chronicle. October 20, 1990.)

Acquisition information:

The Lake County photographs accompanied an Elise Haas interview from the Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, Berkeley, CA. (BANC MSS 80/68 c)

Rules or conventions:

Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

Website