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Finding aid of the Hector and Laurena Alliot Manuscript Collection
MS.216
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Title: Hector and Laurena Alliot Manuscript Collection
Dates: 1903-1919
Collection number: MS.216
Creator:
Alliot, Hector, 1862-1919
Creator:
Alliot, Laurena
Collection Size:
24 folders, 5 scrapbooks
(2 boxes, 1 scrapbook un-housed)
Repository:
Autry National Center. Institute for the Study of the American West
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Abstract: Dr. Hector Alliot (1862-1919), was the first curator for the Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute collections
in 1901, and in 1912, he oversaw its transfer to the Southwest Museum where he became Director in 1917. The collection consists
of writings by Dr. Alliot, and his wife Laurena.
Physical location: Braun Research Library
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open for research. Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/research_application.php
or contact library staff at (323).221-2164.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Braun Research Library, Autry National Center. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Library Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the Braun Research Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
[Item identification] Hector and Laurena Alliot Manuscript Collection, MS.216. Braun Research Library, Autry National Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Series I: Correspondence, 1903-1918.
Series II: Obituaries and biographies, 1912-1919.
Series III: Scrapbooks, 1904-1920.
Series IV: Writing by Hector Alliot.
Series V: Laurena Alliot Personal Papers and Drawings.
Some of the materials in this collection were originally from the manuscript collections of Charles F. Lummis (MS.1), the
Newspaper Clippings Collection (MS.100), and the Joseph Amasa Munk Library of Arizoniana held at the Braun Research Library.
It is unknown when the personal papers of Hector and Laurena Alliot was donated to the Library.
Inventory created by Braun Research Library staff initials JH and SJR, 1986 October 21. Revised by Sarah Buchanan, 2007.
Biographical history note completed by Jackie Zak, 2008.
Biography / Administrative History
Dr. Hector Alliot (1862-1919), was the first curator for the Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute collections
in 1901, and in 1912, he oversaw its transfer to the Southwest Museum where he became Director in 1917.
Hector Alliot was the son of Jehan Hector Alliot and Lelia Beymier Alliot. He was born at Chateau des Forestiers, Gironde,
France, on 1862 November 20. He was schooled in France and later, Italy where he received his doctorate at the University
of Lombardy. Alliot came to the United States in his "early manhood" and his first archaeological work was as Director of
the Cliff Dwellers' Exploration exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. That same year, he met Laurena Moore and they
married on 1883 November 20. Laurena Moore was from Barnesville, Ohio. According to a memoriam written for Hector, Laurena
was described as "an American girl of pioneer stock, a devoted wife of strong physique and mentality, who appreciated [Hector's]
talents and helped him to make the most of them through the rest of his life."
Dr. Alliot was involved with many organizations and educational institutions throughout his life. He was the first President
and organizer of the Lafayette Society; worked faithfully for the Red Cross and the general and specific relief movement through
the first World War; was created Knight Commander of the O.M. and awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science and Philosophy
for a thesis read before the Royal Academy of Lombardy; was President of Southern California Academy of Sciences, having been
a Fellow and member of the Board of Directors for a number of years while giving lectures in Archaeology; was the trustee
of the LA School of Art and Design; Secretary of the Los Angeles Society Archaeological Institute of America; Secretary Treasurer
of the Hispanic Society of California; Secretary-Treasurer of the Southwest Welfare League; member of the American Federation
of Fine Arts League, Los Angeles; member of the Allies' Commission and the Library War Council; and he was a professor of
art history at USC. Dr. Alliot was also a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times on artistic and scientific subjects,
and served for a time as its musical critic. His main interests were archeology, ethnology, aboriginal crafts, and the arts
in general. He was well traveled, spoke several languages, contributed to art and scientific journals, and had explored cliff-dwelling
sites in the Southwest.
Dr. Alliot's greatest accomplishment was the Southwest Museum. He was appointed curator of the collections in 1901, and later,
director of the Museum on 1917 January 10. Alliot played an integral role in the early development of the Southwest Museum,
and was active in pushing the Museum's interests, leading to the Museum's vital role in Southern California life. He gave
lectures before public schools, clubs, and organizations throughout the Southland, and encouraged tours of the Museum. He
was also actively involved with building exhibits, and identifying and cataloging the Museum's collections. Dr. Alliot championed
the construction of a tunnel into the rocky hill at street level and an elevator to carry passengers up into the Museum.
The tunnel included a series of dioramas, or miniature groups, illustrating American Indian life. It also facilitated greater
accessibility to the Museum, and following its completion, the Museum witnessed an increase in attendance of visitors to 50,000
a year. Dr. Alliot however, did not live to see the completion of the tunnel; he died in March, 1919.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists of writing by Hector Alliot; obituaries and biographical articles about Hector; article and notes
about Laurena's father, Eli Moore; personal papers including correspondence with Charles Lummis; newspaper clippings; and
ephemera. Also included are scrapbooks consisting of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and journal articles that cover
topics such as Los Angeles history, Arizona history, archaeology, the Ruskin Art Club, and the Southwest Museum history.
The scrapbooks were titled, assembled, and indexed by Hector Alliot and one was made in his memory.
There was no original order to the collection and is divided into 5 series. Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Obituaries
and biographies; Series III: Scrapbooks; and Series IV: Writing by Hector Alliot consist of materials by or about Hector Alliot.
Series V: Laurena Alliot personal papers and drawings consist of correspondence, drawings, and genealogical information about
Laurena Alliot.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Alliot, Hector, 1862-1919
Alliot, Laurena
Lummis, Charles Fletcher, 1859-1928
Southwest Museum (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Ruskin Art Club
Archaeological Institute of America. Southwest Society
Malibu (Calif.)
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Letters
Scrapbooks
Harmer, Alexander Francis, (b. 1856 d. 1925). Alexander Francis Harmer papers and Alexander Francis Harmer Trust records,
1882-1985. Smithsonian Archives of American Art. (http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/collections_list.cfm/fuseaction/Collections.ViewCollection/CollectionID/6017/search_letter/H)