Stanford University Libraries (SUL) has taken permanent stewardship of the California Historical Society Collection (CHS), a major archive documenting the history of California and the American West since the 18th century.
The collection, which comprises over 600,000 items, has been transferred to Stanford following an agreement signed last June. The university has collaborated with the Bill Lane Center for the American West to acquire the materials, which will be made accessible to researchers and the public in the coming years.
Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian at SUL, described the acquisition as a significant addition to Stanford’s existing archives. “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 said. “Its books, journals, letters, postcards, maps, photographs, and newspapers represent an enormous, relatively untapped resource for historical research and teaching.”
Spanning approximately 16,000 linear feet, the collection contains rare and valuable materials from pivotal moments in the state’s history, including the Gold Rush, California’s statehood, and the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. It also includes the records of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, dating back to the early 20th century.
Stanford historian Gordon H. Chang, the Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities, highlighted the significance of the collection, noting its importance to his research on Chinese railroad workers in North America. “The CHS archive held material never used by previous scholars,” he said. He also pointed out its connection to other Stanford holdings, including documents on Asian American, African American, and Mexican American history.
Richard White, the Margaret Byrne Professor of American History, Emeritus, and author of Railroaded and California Exposures, has also drawn on the CHS Collection in his research. “For me, this is one of the most valuable, yet underutilised collections in California,” he said. “It will help fill gaps in the history of 19th and early 20th century California.”
David M. Kennedy, the Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Emeritus, and founding Faculty Director of the Lane Center, described the acquisition as a transformative moment. “This will make Stanford the premier place for historical research about California and the broader North American West,” he said.
The CHS Board considered several leading institutions before selecting Stanford as the collection’s new home. CHS Interim CEO Jen Whitley cited SUL’s extensive library network and expertise in collection management, digitisation, and preservation as key factors in the decision. “Through SUL’s partnership with the Bill Lane Center for the American West, the CHS Collection will continue to deepen our understanding of California and the wider region,” she said.
Stanford President Richard Saller called the acquisition a vital resource for research and education. “At a time when historical perspective is so critical, the California Historical Society Collection will provide a treasure trove of information about long-term trends over the past two centuries,” he said.
