The Friends of California Archives

The Friends of California Archives serves to encourage the use of historical records at the state and local levels of government and in private institutions throughout California.  Our primary focus is currently to share California's rich and diverse history through the publication of our book The Time Travelers: Meet Some of the Women Who Paved the Way for Equal Rights in California.  This exciting book highlights the accomplishments of some of the trailblazing women in the history of the Golden State who advocated for many of the freedoms and equal rights that we enjoy today.  Written as historical fiction but based on the achievements of real-life California women, it takes students back in history in a time-travel spaceship to meet the women who helped to shape California's rich tapestry of leadership and successes.   These women did not let the color of their skin, their gender or the circumstances of their places in society stop them from working for equality in economic, political, educational, professional, or cultural arenas.  Published in 2020, the book needs to be updated to capture some of the additional strides made by women since then.

We have also recently completed an update of our website and added new, exciting and relevant features.  At www.thefriendsofcaarchives.org you will find 

• Glimpses of the persons and events that have shaped the Golden State's past and added meaning to its present and future (Californian of the Month and This Year in History); 
• Highlights of California Collections -- showcasing the impressive artifacts and holdings in various institutions, public and private, large and small, throughout the state -- ranging from the California State Archives and The Huntington to the Monterey History & Arts Association, Tomales Bay Historical Society and Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley;
• Press releases and features posted by The Friends of California Archives that honor the heritage and culture of all Californians (News/Updates);
• Links to some of the oral histories of influential elected officials and public policy developers in the State's history