Guide to the Ruth Baldwin Collection (1900s – 1980s)

Overview +

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Collection Number

Pending Approval

Creator

This collection was assembled by Ruth Baldwin and Billie Mahaney.  It was donated to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History on 2012 by Billie Mahaney.

Extent

Number of Containers:  Seven (7) Boxes
Linear Feet:  3 Linear Feet

Repository

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Archives
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Abstract

This collection consists primarily of materials related to the Ruth Baldwin.  Ruth April Baldwin was born in Massachusetts on April Fool’s Day, 1895, to Amos Baldwin and Carrie L. Hollenbeck.  By 1910 the family was residing in Santa Cruz, CA where her father Amos was a merchant of “pianos and music”.   Ruth’s uncle, James Stephen Baldwin, was an early settler, and Baldwin St. in Santa Cruz was named after him.  She was also related to Andrew Baldwin who was county surveyor for many years.  Ruth April Baldwin died September 30, 1990, also in Santa Cruz.  The collection reflects her interests, livelihoods, and community involvement.

Location

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA

Preferred Citation

The Ruth Baldwin Collection, The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the head of Archives at MAH.  Researchers may be responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use material not produced by museum personnel.

Process By

G. Gardner

Date Completed

2013

Scope +

The Ruth Baldwin Collection consists of a variety of materials related to her life, interests, pursuits, community involvement and livelihoods from circa 1905 to the 1980s.  The collection also contains materials from various other family members.  The material includes some photographs and personal correspondence, but primarily Santa Cruz High School newsletters (The Trident), ephemera, and news clippings.  Materials reflects her community involvement with the arts and music events, and the Santa Cruz County Historical Society.

Arrangement +

SERIES I. PHOTOGRAPHS

SERIES II. CORRESPONDENCE 1900-1956 (bulk 1910s)

SERIES III. FAMILY RECORDS, 1900s-1950s

Subseries III.A. Road and automobile association maps
Subseries III.B. Financial records
Subseries III.C. Autograph Book
Subseries III.D. Music Lesson Book
Subseries III.E. Bridge Card Game Scrapbook
Subseries III.F. Memorandum book for Carrie L. Baldwin dated 1920
Subseries III.G. Baldwin travel book dated 1919.
Subseries III.H. Newspaper clippings

SERIES IV. THE TRIDENT, SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

SERIES IV. EPHEMERA AND MEMORABILIA

Contents +

SERIES I.  PHOTOGRAPHS

One (1) Folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains photographs of Ruth Baldwin plus other individuals.  Although some photo reproductions are included, most are black and white prints in good to excellent condition. (17 x Photos)

Box ID#: Folder ID#

 1:1

SERIES II.  CORRESPONDENCE 1900-1956 (bulk 1910s)

Two (2) Folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains various correspondence including week by week lesson plans for a physiology class.  There is also correspondence from a Commander Bright concerning Ruth Baldwin’s employment at the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1942.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:2 & 3

SERIES III.  FAMILY RECORDS, 1900s-1950s

Three (3) Folders and three (3) Notebooks

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains various family and financial records, and newspaper clippings.  It also includes an autograph book, a music lesson book, a bridge card game scrapbook, and two memorandum/travel notebooks.

This series is divided into five (5) subseries:

Subseries III.A.  Road and automobile association maps
Subseries III.B.  Financial records
Subseries III.C.  Autograph Book
Subseries III.D.  Music Lesson Book
Subseries III.E.  Bridge Card Game Scrapbook
Subseries III.F.  Memorandum book for Carrie L. Baldwin dated 1920
Subseries III.G.  Baldwin travel book dated 1919.
Subseries III.H.  Newspaper clippings

Subseries III.A.  Early road and city maps primarily 1900s to 1910s

One (1) Folder

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains various road maps for the City of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties and the San Francisco Bay Area.  They appear to be primarily from 1900s to 1910s.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:4

Subseries III.B.  Financial Records

One (1) Folder

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains various financial records for Ruth Baldwin primarily payment receipts for businesses and stores in the local area. Also contains city and state tax receipts for 1907 to 1941.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:6

Subseries III.C.  Autograph Book

One (1) Book

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains two (2) autograph books for Ruth Baldwin.  There does not appear to be any particular order to the autographs.  The autographs appear to be local friends or acquaintances or individuals she met on her travels.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:X

Subseries III.D.  Music Lesson Book

One (1) Book

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains a music lesson book that is tracking the students and dates lessons provided.  Also there are several pages of hand drawn surveys by Andrew Baldwin of East Taunton, Westville, and Oakland.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:X

Subseries III.E.  Bridge Card Game Scrapbook

One (1) Book

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

A scrapbook for the game of bridge.  Includes newspaper clippings, cartoons and playing cards.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:X

Subseries III.F.  Memorandum Book for Carrie L. Baldwin

One (1) Book

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

A memorandum book for Carrie L. Baldwin dated September 15th 1920.  Appears to detail her activities from the 15th of September to the end of October.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:X

Subseries III.G.  Travel Book for Ruth Baldwin

One (1) Book

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

A travel book for Ruth Baldwin dated May 15th 1919.  Appears to detail her activities from the 15th of May to the 14th of June.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:X

Subseries III.H.  Newspaper Clippings

One (1) Box

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Contains newspaper clippings related to family and Santa Cruz County history.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

7

SERIES IV.  THE TRIDENT, SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Two (2) Boxes

Series Scope and Content

This series contains the Trident, Santa Cruz High School News.  Covers the period of January 1907 through February 1919.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

2-3

SERIES IV.  EPHEMERA AND MEMORABILIA

Three (3) Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains ephemera and memorabilia related to family history and the Santa Cruz area, including sheet music, cards, flyers, etc.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

4-6