South SFV Today

Stanford University Libraries have taken on the permanent stewardship of the California Historical Society Collection, a significant archive comprising over 600,000 items that document the history of California and the West since the 18th century. This acquisition was made in collaboration with the Bill Lane Center for the American West and will be known as the California Historical Society (CHS) Collection at Stanford.

The materials have been relocated to Stanford following a transfer agreement signed last June. The collection is expected to serve as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and members of the public interested in studying the region's past.

Michael A. Keller, Ida M. Green University Librarian at Stanford University Libraries (SUL), stated: “From its origins, the California Historical Society has focused on collecting and preserving the history of the West and has amassed a remarkably rich and diverse archive over the years.” He added that this collection forms an extensive resource for historical research and education about California and the Western region.

Spanning approximately 16,000 linear feet, items from this collection date back to the early 18th century. It includes original materials from significant events such as the Gold Rush, statehood, and the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. Additionally, it contains unique collections like records from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California dating back to the early 1900s.

Gordon H. Chang, Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities at Stanford, highlighted how his project benefited from this collection: “The Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford devoted considerable attention to mining the CHS archive and found material never used by previous railroad scholars.”

Richard White, Margaret Byrne Professor of American History Emeritus at Stanford and author of "Railroaded" and "California Exposures," described it as “one of the most valuable and underutilized collections in California,” noting its potential to enhance SUL’s holdings related to American West history.

David M. Kennedy, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History Emeritus at Stanford, emphasized that acquiring this collection positions Stanford as a leading institution for historical research about California and North America's broader Western region.

Jen Whitley, Interim CEO of CHS, explained why SUL was chosen: “SUL brings a strong infrastructure that spans a network of 20 libraries across Stanford’s campus.” She noted their expertise in collections development would benefit future growth.

Stanford President Richard Saller remarked on how this addition supports educational missions: “At a time when historical perspective is so critical, [this] will provide a treasure trove of information about long-term trajectories over two centuries.”

This move aligns with Stanford's commitment to expanding resources for academic exploration within its School of Humanities & Sciences framework while enhancing partnerships through centers like Bill Lane Center for American West Studies.