Guide to the Harry C. Peterson Papers SC0107
University Archives staff
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
October 2010
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
Fax Number: (650) 723-8690
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Note
This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines,
Version 1.0.
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Harry C. Peterson papers
Identifier/Call Number: SC0107
Physical Description:
1.75 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1879-1936
Summary: Includes
administrative and personal correspondence, 1888-1936; reports, statistics, acquisition
records, exhibit captions, and publications of the Stanford Museum, 1894-1917; and research
materials compiled by Peterson on the Gold Spike (ceremonial spike used to connect the Union
Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads), Stanford history, and Peter Coutts, including an
original letter by Coutts, 1879. Peterson's major correspondent was David Hewes and there is
some printed material on Hewes in the collection. Also includes copies of his newspaper
column "The Story of Stanford University," 1919.
Language of Material:
English .
Information about Access
This collection is open for research.
Ownership & Copyright
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must
be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special
Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s) or assigns. See:
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Biographical/Historical Sketch
Peterson, born in Iowa in 1876, was curator of the Stanford Museum from 1900-1917; after
leaving Stanford, he directed the Sutter's Fort Museum in Sacramento.
Description of the Collection
Collection includes administrative and personal correspondence, 1888-1936; reports,
statistics, acquisition records, exhibit captions, and publications of the Stanford Museum,
1894-1917; glass slides of Stanford images probably used to illustrate talks; and research
materials compiled by Peterson on the Gold Spike (ceremonial spike used to connect the Union
Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads), Stanford history, and Peter Coutts, including an
original letter by Coutts, 1879. Peterson's major correspondent was David Hewes and there is
some printed material on Hewes in the collection. Also includes copies of his newspaper
column "The Story of Stanford University," 1919.
Cite As
Harry C. Peterson Papers (SC0107). Department of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gold Spike.
Museums.
Box 1, folder 1
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1888-1901
Box 1, folder 2
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1902-1904
Box 1, folder 3
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1905-1906
Box 1, folder 4
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1907-909
Box 1, folder 5
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1910-1912
Box 1, folder 6
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1913-1914
Box 1, folder 7
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1915-1917
Box 1, folder 8
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1918-1931
Box 1, folder 9
Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1932-1936
Box 1, folder 10
Stanford Museum: annual reports, 1902, 1910-17
Box 1, folder 11
Stanford Museum: attendance statistics (1894-1917); other business
papers
Box 1, folder 12
Stanford Museum: daily account of acquisitions, May 1900-Feb.
1901
Box 1, folder 13
Stanford Museum: guidebooks, rules for visitors, donor cards, and other
publications
Box 1, folder 14
Stanford Museum: articles and clippings about the Museum
Box 1, folder 15
Stanford Museum: miscellaneous (notes for arrangement of exhibits, loan
forms, notes on acquisitions)
Box 1, folder 16
Stanford Museum: gifts of David Hewes
Box 1, folder 17
Stanford Museum: lace collection
Box 1, folder 18
Stanford Museum: requisition forms, 1909-13
Box 2, folder 1
Stanford Museum: early California history collection (captions)
Box 2, folder 2
Stanford Museum: Japanese collection (captions, etc.)
Box 2, folder 3
Stanford Museum: painting and fine arts collections (captions)
Box 2, folder 4
Stanford Museum: Egyptian collection (captions)
Box 2, folder 5
Stanford Museum: Stanford family collection (captions)
Box 2, folder 6
Stanford Museum: collections, miscellaneous (captions)
Box 2, folder 7
Stanford Museum: notes on arrangement of exhibits
Box 2, folder 8
David Hewes and the Gold Spike (notes taken by Peterson from Mr. Hewes'
account
Box 2, folder 9
David Hewes: printed material about (obituary, booklet on the David Hewes
building, magazine articles)
Box 2, folder 10
List of photographs, CPPR stereos and views of Stanford University [possibly
photos taken or owned by H.C.P.]
Box 2, folder 11
Mosaics, material about (collected by H.C.P.)
Box 2, folder 12
Peter Coutts: research notes and original material about (includes April 4,
1879 Coutts original letter, signed)
Box 2, folder 13
Stanford Historical Association
Box 3
"The Story of Stanford University," copies from microfilm of Peterson's
newspaper column, bound volume (2 copies)
volume 1
"The Story of Stanford University," bound clippings