College Elementary School (CES) Collection - Finding Aid

Collection Number

1999.25

Contact Information

The University Library, Special Collections
Cal Poly Humboldt
One Harpst Street
Arcata, California 95521

Processed By

Kathryn LaSala

Additional materials processed by Camille Charette, M.A., MLIS, 2026 

Date Collection Processed

2012; 2026

Language

English

Collection Creator

CES Reunion Committee (Virginia Anderson Shaffer, Patsy Givins, Charlotte Cooper, Helen Macpherson, Ellen Givins, Gail A. Williams)

Dates Covered by Collection

c. 1920s - 1991 (inclusive)
1950s - 1960s; 1991 (bulk);

Size of Collection

4 cubic feet; 2 boxes and 6 scrapbooks; additions: 3 boxes (including 1 oversize box)

Abstract

The collection consists of various historical and administrative materials that were both gathered and generated by the June 1991 reunion of Humboldt State University's College Elementary School (CES) members. The documents reflect both the unique and shared experiences of CES members while simultaneously helping to frame an understanding of the program's operations and its impact on campus.

Additional materials donated after the initial processing expand the collection to include program records, personal papers, and community-related materials documenting CES from the 1920s through the late 20th century. These additions further illustrate the academic, social, and community dimensions of CES and its lasting impact on participants and the broader Humboldt State community.

Access

Open for research by appointment

Copyright

Copyright has not been assigned to Cal Poly Humboldt. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce in any format please contact the Special Collections Librarian.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated to the Library in 1991 by the CES Reunion Committee. 

Additional materials were donated in 2024 by CES alumna Patsy Givins. These materials include items originating from CES faculty, students, and their families, as well as related Humboldt State College and Humboldt State University materials. Some materials were contributed by family members of CES faculty, including those connected to Charlotte Cooper.
 

Biographical Information

The CES program at Cal Poly Humboldt started in 1914 as part of the teacher training program at what was then Humboldt State Normal School. The program continued to grow in size and curriculum throughout HSU's development, becoming an integral part of both the Education and Psychology departments. Relocated in 1933 to what is now Gist Hall, CES functioned as a prominent feature on campus until 1978 when the elementary school was closed, along with other laboratory schools in the State.

Scope and Content of the Collection

The collection primarily consists of donated materials from past CES faculty, staff, and students from the 1920s until 1978 when the program was discontinued. Photographs, biographical information, memorabilia, scrapbooks, student work, and student records make up the bulk of this section and help to establish the significance of CES to both 
the HSU campus and the local community. Items found within the donated materials illustrate the day-to-day operations of the elementary school as well as highlighting some of the unique features of the program, including Camp Ravencliff. The CES collection also includes administrative materials related to the 1991 reunion including name lists, invitations and responses, receipts, photographs, and VHS tapes documenting the event. One of the strengths of this collection can be found in the invitation responses, where a significant number of people sent back letters to the Reunion Committee recounting their experiences at CES along with personal information about their current lives.

Materials added after the initial donation further document CES program operations, curriculum, and community life. These additions include class record books dating from the 1920s–1930s, subject and curriculum files, student and community activity materials, alumni and biographical files, photographs, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings. The materials reflect both the academic structure of CES and the social networks that persisted among faculty, students, and families following the school’s closure. Some materials also relate more broadly to Humboldt State College and Humboldt State University.

Arrangement of the Collection

The CES collection is arranged into five series.

The following arrangement description reflects the original processing of materials donated by the CES Reunion Committee in 1991. The CES collection is arranged into three series: CES Reunion Committee - Administrative Materials; Reunion Preparation - Name Lists and Invitation Responses; and Donations from Past CES Members. In an effort to retain provenance, series distinctions were made based on the original order of the collection, established by the CES Reunion Committee. Organization of folders generally follows a subject/chronological format. Items within each folder have no prearrangement. During the processing of this collection some items/folders were grouped together, re-housed into archival files, and given a descriptive heading where needed.

The following description reflects the arrangement of materials added in a subsequent donation received in 2024. Materials added after initial processing have been organized as two additional series: CES Program Records and Related Materials (Additions) and CES Alumni and Affiliates Files (Additions). Because no original order was evident for this accrual, materials were arranged by subject to facilitate access, with program and curricular records grouped separately from alumni and biographical files. Oversize materials have been housed separately. 

Container List

Box 1

Series: CES Reunion Committee - Administrative Materials

1. Sat Day - Hallway [VHS tape]
2. Sat Nite and Sunday [VHS tape]
3. Telonicher H's Oral Memory Session [VHS tape]
4. CES Committee [Address Stamp]
5. Reunion [1 folder]
6. Lists for Archives

Series: CES Reunion Preparation - Invitation Responses

1. ITEPP/Student Teachers/Staff
2. 1970s
3. 1960s
4. 1950s
5. 1940s
6. 1920s/1930s

Box 2

Series: Reunion Donations from Past CES Members

1. [Woven basket from Helen Arnold Stover]
2. [Negatives, 1950s-1960s from Helen Macpherson]
3. [Social and Science Studies Reports, 1959-1961 by Pat and Peg Givins]
4. Talent Show [1 folder]
5. Birthdays [1 folder]
6. Christmas [1 folder]
7. Camp Raven Cliff [1 folder]
8. Miscellany [1folder]
9. [1920s] [1folder]
10. [1930s] [9 folders]
11. [1940s] [10 folders]
12. [1950s] [10 folders]
13. [1960s] [10 folders]
14. [1970s] [9 folders]
15. [Newspaper Clippings - Staff] [2 folders]
16. [Newspaper Clippings - Parents and Families] [11 folders]
17. [Newspaper Clippings - Students, 1920s] [1 folder]
18. [Newspaper Clippings - Students, 1930s] [10 folders]
19. [Newspaper Clippings - Students, 1940s] [7 folders]
20. [Newspaper Clippings - Students, 1950s] [11 folders]
21. [Newspaper Clippings - Students, 1960s] [11 folders]
22. [Newspaper Clippings - Students, 1970s] [9 folders]

Box 3

Oversize - Flat

1. Health by Richie Givins [scrapbook]
2. Community Services by Richie Givins [scrapbook]
3. 1958 College Elementary School 8th-grade trip by Stephen Peithman [scrapbook]
4. 1960 College Elementary School 8th grade by Warner Karshner [scrapbook]

Box 4

Oversize - Flat

1. [Pilot Program - Camp Ravencliff, 1954 by Elize Butler] [scrapbook]
2. [Camp Ravencliff, 1955 by Elize Butler] [scrapbook]

Box 5
Series: CES Program Records and Related Materials (Additions)
1. [Class Record Books–The Teacher’s Improved Class Book,1920s] [4 volumes]
2. [Class Record Books, 1920s–1930s] [6 volumes]
3. [Class Record Books, 1930s–1950s] [5 volumes]
4. [Class Record Books, 1950s] [4 volumes]
5. Humboldt State Teacher’s College Newsletter, 1920s
6. CES Program Newsletter (“What the Colleges Are Doing”), 1930s–1950s
7. CES/Student Publications, 1940s
8. CES Event Programs, 1940s–1960s
9. Curriculum Materials–General
10. Curriculum Materials–Mathematics/Philosophy, 1910s–1930s 
11. Curriculum Materials–Music
12. Student Activities–Athletics, 1940s–1960s
13. Student Activities–Aviation, 1920s–1940s
14. Student Activities–Camp Ravencliff, 1960s 
15. Student Activities–Dance, 1950s
16. Student Activities–Knights of Pythias, 1930s–1970s
17. Student Activities–Scouts, 1950s
18. Photographs–CES Program, 1940s–1970s
19. Photographs and Negatives–Class Photographs, 1950s–1960s
20. Photographs and Digital Photographs (CDs)–CES, 1950s–1960s
21. Newspaper Clippings, 1920s 
22. Newspaper Clippings, 1940s
23. Newspaper Clippings, 1950s
24. Newspaper Clippings, 1960s
25. Newspaper Clippings, 1970s
26. Class Rosters, 1920s–1970s
27. Humboldt State College/HSU Planning Documents, 1950s–1970s
28. Humboldt State University Materials–Ephemera, 1970s–2020s

Box 6
Series: CES Alumni and Affiliates Files (Additions) 
1. Allen, Thomas P. 
2. Arnold, Bessie Custer Rae
3. Arnold, Homer
4. Cooper, Charlotte
5. Gilliland, Hap
6. Givins, Patsy
7. Macpherson, Helen 
8. Macpherson, Helen–Photographs and Correspondence, 1960s–1990s (1)
9. Macpherson, Helen–Photographs and Correspondence, 1960s–1990s (2)
10. McDermid, C.G. (Charles G.) 
11. McDermid, C.G. (Charles G.) – California Teachers Association Materials
12. McDermid, Patt
13. McDermid, Scott
14. McDermid Family Materials
15. McDermid Family Materials (8th Grade), 1940s–1950s
16. McDermid Family Materials–Letters of Thanks
17. Schilling, Martha (Cooper)
18. CES Reunion Materials (Additions)
19. Photographs–CES Alumni and Affiliates, 1970s–1990s
20. Photograph Album–CES Alumni, 1984
21. CES Alumni Materials–Biographical
22. “The Christmas Codex”, 1985
23. Alumni Association Materials

Box 7 
Oversize - Flat  
1. Scrapbook [loose leaves], 1960s–? 
 

Bibliography

California State Colleges, Office of the Chancellor, Division of Academic Planning. (1965). The California State Colleges: Campus Laboratory Schools. Los Angeles, Cal.: The Division. (LB2155.C2 C36)

McDermid, Charles. (1958). A Study of the Reading Program at College Elementary School from 1953-1957. M.A. thesis,, Humboldt State College, Arcata, Calif.

Related Works

Helen Macpherson Collection (unprocessed)

Subject Headings

Humboldt State University - History 
Humboldt State University - Dept. of Education 
Humboldt State College. College Elementary School
Laboratory schools—California
Education—Study and teaching (Elementary)—California