Inventory of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California Records
Archives staff
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/
© 2005
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California Records
Collection number: F3776, R241, F3577
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Archives staff
- Encoded by:
- Sara Roberson
© 2005 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California Records
Dates: 1968-1977
Collection number: F3776
Creator:
American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California
Collection Size:
6 Cubic Feet
239 Items
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: This record group contains the records of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California, 1968-1977. As prescribed
by law, the purpose of the Commission was to provide for, assist, sponsor, and promote Statewide and local celebrations, ceremonies,
and observances, and to encourage the creation of exhibits and publications, with the expressed purpose in mind of commemorating
and publicizing the Bicentennial of the American Revolution.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages: Languages represented in this collection: English
Administrative Information
Access
All series are open to research except artifacts and audiovisual material. Access to audiovisual material requires the production
of use copies-see Reference Archivist.
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], American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California Records, [ID #], California State Archives,
Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, CA.
Acquisition Information
The California State Archives acquired the records of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California through
an agency transfer.
Agency History
The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California (ARBCC) was officially established in 1967 by (
Stats. 1967, ch. 1425). Under the law passed, the Commission was to be comprised of twenty members, ten of which were to be appointed
by the Governor, five by the Speaker of the Assembly, and five by the Senate Rules Committee. The Chairman of the Commission
Charles Conrad (1968-1973) and later Richard Pourade (1973-1976) was also selected for that position on the basis of an gubernatorial
appointment.
In order to handle the day-to-day operations of the Commission, as well as to brief the Commissioners on the nature and contents
of program proposals being constantly submitted, an Executive Director, Albert Johnson, was selected by the ARBCC in November
of 1972. Until Director Johnson assumed his duties, ARBCC Chairman Charles Conrad, from 1968-1972, directed the proceedings
of the Commission from his Assembly office in the State Capitol Building.
As prescribed by law, the purpose of the Commission was to provide for, assist, sponsor, and promote Statewide and local celebrations,
ceremonies, and observances, and to encourage the creation of exhibits and publications, with the expressed purpose in mind
of commemorating and publicizing the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. A further reading of the statute makes the point
clear that in regards to local Bicentennial observances, the Commission was to serve not in a managerial capacity but simply
as an advisory group that would lend assistance and expertise when called upon.
The ARBCC officially closed its doors due to lack of funding on December 21, 1976; programs still in the process of winding
down after that time were delegated to the State Department of Parks and Recreation.
Scope and Content
This record group contains the records of American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California. The records were created
between 1968 and 1977 and contain organizational records, administrative correspondence, meeting minutes, publications, reports,
and some artifacts and audiovisual materials. See the series descriptions for further details.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California
Related Collections at the California State Archives
American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California unprocessed records, Accession Number 78-50
James Whetmore Papers
Related Materials at other Repositories
Donald Dozer Papers, Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford, CA 94305
Donald Dozer Papers, Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, CA 93106
Richard Wood American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California Papers, Department of Special Collections, University
Library, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211
F3776:1-3
Series 1
Organizational Records
1970-1972
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date within each folder.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent.
Before 1972, the ARBCC was directed from the office of then-State Assemblyman Charles Conrad. This series includes background
correspondence pertaining to State and Federal ARBCC organization set-up (chief correspondents include Chairman Conrad and
the National Office); Congressional replies regarding Federal grants to the California ARBCC (1971-1972); and samples of replies
sent regarding private citizens' inquiries about the ARBCC's programs.
F3776:4-27
Series 2
Organizational Records
1972-1977
Physical Description: 25 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent.
Contains policy guidelines (from the National Office) and guidelines generated in house. Series also includes correspondence
between the Executive Director and members of the Commission regarding decisions to be made on project proposals and their
suggestions regarding possible projects and copies of amended legislation setting up the Commission. Biographical information
on Commission members is also included in this series.
F3776:28
Series 3
Meeting Agendas
1972-1977
Physical Description: 1 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by meeting date.
Scope and Content Note
Agendas for meetings held.
F3776:29-35, F3577:218
Series 4
Minutes of Meetings
1968-1977
Physical Description: 7 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by meeting date.
Scope and Content Note
Meeting from December 14, 1968 - February 8, 1977. Summaries include Commission members present; statements regarding financial
status of the Commission and new projects undertaken. The minutes themselves deal primarily with projects submitted, including
touring art exhibits and publications such as a time-line, showing historical events in California that paralleled comparable
events occurring simultaneously on the East Coast. For transcripts of some of these meetings see also Series #5.
F3776:36-77b
Series 5
Transcripts of ARBCC Meetings
1972-1977
Physical Description: 2 file folders and 39 Cassettes and 2 Reels
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by meeting date.
Scope and Content Note
Includes full transcriptions from ARBCC meetings December 14, 1972 and October 16-17, 1973, and for meetings held between
1974 and 1977. For an indication of content see under descriptive paragraph of preceding series entry. See also Series #4
for minutes of ARBCC meetings.
F3776:78
Series 6
Annual Reports to the Legislature
1968-1976
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by report date.
Scope and Content Note
These reports consist of summations of year's activities, dealing with such matters as number of projects endorsed, cities
accepted as Bicentennial communities, number of meetings held in the past year, and statements regarding future goals and
activities of the Commission.
F3776:79-81
Series 7
Project Updates
1970-1975
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by report date.
Scope and Content Note
Includes formal reports consisting of project proposals in summary form submitted to the National Office of the American Revolution
Bicentennial Commission in Washington on a periodic basis (on the average of 2-3 a year). Examples of projects submitted include
the designing and selling of commemorative medallions, the creation of a Statewide Speakers' Bureau, travelling art shows,
and certificates of congratulations for Californian Senior Citizens who were celebrating their 100th birthdays during the
Bicentennial period.
F3776:82
Series 8
The Dispatch
1973-1974
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by publication date.
Scope and Content Note
Newsletters, published irregularly due to lack of funding.
Contains the seven issues published by the
Sacramento Union.
Subject matter includes policy statements and news about local Bicentennial events and projects.
F3776:83
Series 9
ARBCC Quarterly
1973-1976
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by publication date.
Scope and Content Note
Published irregularly by the
Sacramento Bee owing to funding difficulties on the part of the ARBCC. Subject matter papallels but does not duplicate information found
in the newsletter: subject matter also deals with new programs and summaries of Bicentennial events occurring throughout the
State.
F3776:530-538
Series 10
Non-Manuscript Materials
1976
Physical Description: 10 items
Scope and Content Note
Includes a master set of commemorative Bicentennial medallions struck by the Lincoln Mint of Chicago, depicting important
personages in California history (e.g. John Muir, the Pony Express, and John Marshall's Discovery of Gold). In the master
set included here, each medallion, struck in silver, is encased in an acrylic plastic base in the shape of California and
marked with a serial number. (The Lincoln Mint also struck these medallions in bronze for sale to the public).
Other materials contained in this series include a children's game entitled Blue Backs (officially recognized by the ARBCC
and designed to teach economics to young people kindergarten through twelfth grade); a plate of china with the ARBCC logo
imprinted upon it; a time capsule; and a Bicentennial flag of California used in official ceremonies.
F3776:538A-540
Series 11
Videotapes
1976
Physical Description: 3 items
Arrangement
Series contains a single item.
Scope and Content Note
Includes presentations on the following subjects: Bicentennial Fleet (Costa Production Company--producers; no other information
exists in the records as to whether this was a State or a National Program); The Young Saints (a broadcasting school for minority
children; a project officially recognized (endorsed) by the ARBCC; no other information known); Kern County Historical Minutes
(officially recognized project, 1976).
F3776:541
Series 12
Film Strip
1976
Physical Description: 1 item
Arrangement
Series contains a single item.
Scope and Content Note
The name of the strip, The Liberty Tree pertains to a redwood tree planting program commemorating the original trees used
as meeting places by the Colonists. This strip was a funded project, approved by the ARBCC in 1973 and produced by the Department
of Parks and Recreation. See also under Audiotapes series for accompanying reel.
F3776:542-548
Series 13
Movie Films
1976
Physical Description: 7 items
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Content Note
Most of the items in this series are inadequately identified as to content, and information concerning production, and length
of running time. The four films are: one 3½" reel color film (unidentified as to title, content, and date produced); 7" reel,
color film Right To Be Right (no further information as to date, content, or producing agency); 7" reel, color film, Many
Voices (date produced, content, or producing agency not known); and 5" reel, Television Advertisement (unidentified in terms
of content, date produced, or creating agency). Also included are three films submitted by the ARBA in Washington: The Third
Lantern For The Third Century, Bicentennial U.S.A., and We Hold These Truths (no other information submitted by the ARBA).
F3776:549-552
Series 14
Audiotapes
1976
Physical Description: 1 file folder and 1 cassette and 3 reels
Arrangement
Series contains a single item.
Scope and Content Note
Contains the accompanying audio portion of the ARBCC funded project The Anza Trek (consisting of two 7" reel-to-reel tapes
and one cassette) and the audio portion of the funded project The Liberty Tree.
F3776:553-554
Series 15
Slide Presentation - The Impossible Dream
1976
Physical Description: 1 file folder and 167 color 35mm slides
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Content Note
Slide show prepared by the ARBCC in conjunction with the Arizona Bicentennial Commission (no other information exists in the
records).
F3776:555-556
Series 16
Photographs
1974-1976
Physical Description: 1 color and 54 black and white prints
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Content Note
Subject matter dealt with includes: The Pilgrim (a replica of the famed Baltimore Clipper ships; for written documentation
see also under Funded Projects, F3776:199) (5 8×10 black and white prints); Railroad Car Restoration Ceremony (Old Sacramento,
September 24, 1976; see also under Funded Projects, F3776:201) (1 5×7, 1 4×5, and 2 8×10 black and white prints); The Dingley
Spice Building (Old Sacramento, ca. 1974; for written information see also under Funded Projects, F3776:196) (4 8×10 black
and white photos); Francis Scott Key Monument (cast July 4, 1888, restored ca. 1976; for supporting written material see also
under Funded Projects, F3776:191) (1 3×4 color print); Plaque Presentation Ceremony Commemorating Work of American Revolution
Bicentennial Commission of California, October 1976 (F3776:172) (1 8×10 black and white print); Bicentennial Medallion Design
Winners' Presentation, June 28, 1974 (Sacramento, Capitol Building) (2 3½×3½ black and white prints); Time Capsule Ceremony,
October 12, 1976 (California State Archives) (6 8×10 black and white prints); Harvey House Restoration (ca. 1975, Barstow,
California) (See also under Projects Officially Endorsed by the ARBCC, F3776:344) (1 5½×10 black and white print); Camron-Stanford
House (ca. 1975) (See also under Projects Officially Endorsed by the ARBCC, F3776:348) (1 8×8 and 2 8×10 black and white prints);
and photos of the schooners Perseus and Prince Louis (ca. 1975) (See also under Projects Endorsed by the ARBCC, F3776:234)
(2 8×10 black and white prints).
Executive Director's Records
F3776:84-91
Series 1
National Conference Correspondence
1970-1975
Physical Description: 8 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date within each folder.
Scope and Content Note
Contains letters received and copies of letters sent.
Before enabling legislation was passed in late 1973 the National body directing the Bicentennial effort was known as the American
Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Late in 1973 the 93rd Congress passed Public Law 93-179, allowing for a restructuring
of this organization at the National level. Effective April 11, 1974, the Commission was formally changed to the American
Revolution Bicentennial Administration. With policy direction and implementation now to be in the hands of a Chief Administrator,
it was the function of that office to appoint advisory committees and a staff to help carry-out his liaison work with the
ARBA Board and ARBA Council. Ex-Secretary of Navy John Warner was its Administrator.
The correspondence of this series centers around new projects, programs, and guidelines emanating out of Washington, covering
the period 1973-1975. National program guidelines, press releases, and memoranda are the major components of this file. Chief
correspondents include Charles Goodspeed, Director of Field Services for the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration,
and Albert Johnson, Executive Director of the ARBCC. This series also includes the correspondence of the Commission with the
Western Regional Office of the ARBA in San Francisco and the minutes of regional conferences of the Southwest Regional Alliance
of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission (of which California was a member) held between 1971 and 1973.
F3776:92-146, F3577:254
Series 2
Subject Files
1972-1977
Physical Description: 55 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.
Scope and Content Note
Includes letters received and copies of letters sent. Record types include letters, memoranda, guides, press clippings, and
project reports.
Subject matter dealt with includes correspondence with State Departments and Commissions (e.g. Art Commission, Attorney General's
Office, and the Finance Department) relating to project proposals submitted by these agencies; correspondence pertaining to
the State-wide Bicentennial Workshop held May 30 - June 1, 1975 in Fresno; ARBCC press releases from 1974-1976; Time Capsule
Ceremony held October 12, 1976; and correspondence relating to medallions given to private citizens on behalf of the Commission.
F3776:147-159
Series 3
Correspondence With Licensed Commercial Organizations
1971-1976
Physical Description: 13 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date within each folder.
Scope and Content Note
Includes letters received and copies of letters sent.
Because the ARBCC received no State funding, other means had to be developed to raise revenues for projects the Commission
felt
were worthy of financial sponsorship. In order to do this, the Commission granted commercial licenses to a half-dozen firms
in return for royalties received from the purchase of such items as souvenir coins and medallions (e.g. the Lincoln Mint of
Chicago), bumper and decal stickers (Designers Decal, Inc.), and Bicentennial chinaware (the De Vault Noble Company). An integral
part of each file is a copy of the contract (license) enabling these organizations to engage in commercial activity on behalf
of the Commission. Of special note is a brief submitted to the State Attorney General's Office against the Lincoln Mint of
Chicago, who had been contracted to handle orders for Bicentennial medallions on behalf of the ARBCC. This brief contains
daily reports, a diary, and letters of complaints prepared by C. Edward Shelton, the Lincoln Mint's Marketing Director for
California on behalf of the ARBCC.
F3776:160-164
Series 4
Nationally Funded Projects
1974-1976
Physical Description: 5 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by project name and chronologically by date thereunder.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent.
Series contains applications and supporting documents (e.g. formal proposals and written reports).
Included here are those projects sponsored and directed by the National American Revolution Bicentennial Administration and
incorporated into the overall program directed at the State-level by the Executive Director of the ARBCC, Albert Johnson.
Projects include: the Armed Forces Bicentennial Installation and Commands Program (a travelling tour of musicians representing
the various branches of the Armed Forces), the Johnny Horizon Program (litter pick-up), and the Horizon On Display project
(involving the restoration or building of structures that encouraged community involvement). Examples in California include
the Atascadero Solar House and the East Los Angeles Community Union. These projects included here were federally funded.
F3776:165
Series 5
Projects Approved Under Title X, Federal Emergency Employment Act Of November 1975
1975
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent. File contains copies of applications submitted to the National Office and replies
sent indicating total monies allocated for each approved project. Series includes formal application and supporting materials
consisting of written proposals or reports.
This program was used to finance construction projects that could be tied-in to the Bicentennial. California projects include
the building of the following complexes: the Cortina Indian Community Center (Colusa County); restoration of an historic schoolhouse
in Los Angeles (not identified); and the creation of the Susanville Indian Community Center.
F3776:166-207
Series 6
Bicentennial Projects Funded by the ARBCC
1971-1976
Physical Description: 42 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by project name.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent. Also included are movie scripts, prospectus, project proposals (formal reports),
and chronological histories of the projects as they proceeded through the grant review process. Examples of projects include
the Crescent City Lighthouse Museum Rehabilitation Project, the rehabilitation of the Dingley Spice Building in Old Sacramento,
and a physical reenactment of a Conestoga Wagon Train to Pennsylvania. These projects were funded by annual allocations made
to each of the fifty state commissions by the National Office in Washington.
F3776:208-400
Series 7
Projects Officially Endorsed by the ARBCC
1973-1977
Physical Description: 192 file folders and 1 volume
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by project name.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent. Series has been sampled.
Series contains the formal application and supporting written documentation plus publications produced as Bicentennial projects.
Included here is a photographic folio of the last ship remaining from the Gold Rush Era (called the Vicar of Bray) (for written
documentation see title under Endorsed Projects).
Projects officially endorsed (i.e. projects given official approval but not funded) include restoration projects [e.g. Camron-Stanford
House (Oakland), and the Peralta Adobe (San Jose)]; publication projects [e.g.
Rancho Cucamonga (San Bernardino County) and
Camping Around California (San Francisco)]; historic re-creations [e.g. Columbia Pageant (Tuolumne County)]; touring bands and musical groups (e.g.
UC Berkeley and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo); and conferences [e.g. Conference of California Historical Societies and Contemporary
California Issues Consortium (Costa Mesa)].
F3776:401-431
Series 8
Rejected Projects
1972-1977
Physical Description: 31 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by project name.
Scope and Content Note
Letters received and copies of letters sent. Series has been sampled.
This series is comprised of those projects submitted to the ARBCC that were either tabled (and never decided upon by the Commission)
or turned down because they did not meet the Commission's criteria for acceptance. Examples include proposals for films (e.g.
History of California Railroading), publications (e.g.
California Bicentennial Magazine) and community projects (history exhibit, Long Beach Museum). Includes applications and written justifications in the form
of proposals or reports.
F3776:432-529A
Series 9
Applications Submitted for Recognition as Bicentennial Communities
1970-1977
Physical Description: 100 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged into three sub-series: (1) City and County Commission Applications, (2) Educational Institution Applications and
(3) Indian Reservation Applications. Applications are arranged alphabetically by name within each sub-series.
Scope and Content Note
Sampled.
Includes letters received and copies of letters sent. This series is further divided into the following sub-series: applications
submitted by County and City Commissions (sampled), by Educational Institutions (sampled) and by Indian Reservation. Within
each sub-series arrangement is alphabetical; and further by region (County, City and Indian Reservation applications); or
by type of Educational Institution (University, State College and Junior College). Also included within this series is a calendar
of events, listing by City or County, the major events that occurred there during the Bicentennial year and a State Handbook/Information
Manual listing the criteria used by the Commission (via the Executive Director) in accepting these Cities, Counties, Indian
Reservations, and Educational Institutions as Bicentennial Communities.