Archive Collections:

The Women's Museum of California possesses a unique archive collection for exhibits and research. Many of these collections were obtained by the Museum's founder, Mary Maschal.

Alice Park Archives

This collection contains information and artifacts from the women's suffrage movement of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Includes correspondence between Ms. Park and national women's suffrage leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Carrie Chapman Catt, etc. Also, we possess an extensive collection of women's suffrage movement memorabilia, i.e. suffrage pins, suffrage silks, banners, postcards, posters, flyers, slides, dolls, etc. A major component of this archive is the Charlotte Perkins Gilman collection. We possess a complete set of Gilman's publication, The Forerunner, as well as other first-edition copies of some of her major texts. We also have some items published by Charlotte Perkins, before she added the name Gilman by marriage. Alice Park was also active in various Peace organizations and was a member of the National Organization of Pen Women - the archive contains information from these associations as well.

Lucy Killea Papers

This collection documents the political career of California public servant and politician Dr. Lucy Killea. Includes campaign records, photographs, and legislative work records. Ms. Killea was installed in the San Diego Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and continues to be a supporter of the museum.

Nancy Reeves Collection

Reeves was born in 1913. Her pioneering work as attorney, feminist, author, and international lecturer has been influential for over 80 years. Through her extensive publications and lectures, she has brought to universities and the general public a global awareness of gender stereotypes, connecting women's status to world events. She has published groundbreaking books and articles, most notably Womankind: Beyond the Stereotypes, for which she received first prize in literature from the California Bar Association in 1972. Her writings have been used in legal textbooks and in college level women's studies courses. She has lectured widely and has made guest television appearances.

Through her work, Reeves has asked the world to analyze women's roles and examine barriers to women's equality. She has carved a legitimate place for feminism within academia and worldwide. Generations of feminists and women in all walks of life are indebted to Nancy Reeves for carving a well-worn path toward equality.

Reeves was inducted into the San Diego Women's Hall of Fame in 2003, just 3 months prior to her death. Upon passing, her family donated her entire collection of papers, books and memorabilia to the Women's Museum of California where it is currently undergoing archival accessioning.

UN Conferences on the Status of Women

This collection has material from the various UN Conferences on the Status of Women held around the world. Conference materials from Nairobi, Houston, Mexico City, Copenhagen, and Beijing are included. Textiles and ephemera from these conferences, in addition to official conference business, are included in the collections.

Research Archives Acquisition Policy and Donation Schedule

We are happy to accept donations for the Women's History Museum provided they fit with our current collections. Donations can be presented for review on most Fridays from 12-2pm. If you have books, papers,ephemera,or artifacts you wish to donate, please call 619-233-7963 to set up an appointment with our archivist.