MS 39 Stott Family Collection

Summary Information

Repository
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Creator
Stott, Dorothy Cranston
Creator
Stott, Kenhelm W., Sr.
Title
Stott Family Collection
ID
MS 39
Date [inclusive]
1915-1958
Extent
0.5 Linear feet (1 box)
Language
English
Abstract
This collection contains some personal papers of the Stott family in the early to mid-1900s, with an emphasis on Dorothy Stott’s musical career in San Diego and Kenhelm Stott Sr.’s military career.

Preferred Citation

Stott Family Collection, MS 39, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

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Biographical / Historical Notes

Dorothy Cranston Hess Stott (1899-1962) was born in Michigan. Before moving to San Diego at age 20, Dorothy attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School. As a violin student she studied under several teachers such as Harold A. Cole, K.E. Horst, Helen T. Fiske, Lois K. Sickels, and M. Dickinson Ross. She performed extensively with the Bach Society of San Diego County, the Morning Choral Club of San Diego, La Jolla Woman’s Club, the Bishop School, the Amphion Club, La Quartette de Sainte Cecelia, the Chamber Music Club, the Music Makers and St. Joseph’s Choir etc. She also assisted or participated in recitals of individual musicians and religious services. She was active serving the American Red Cross during the Second World War. She was a life member of the San Diego Zoological Society and donated an African elephant to the San Diego Zoo. A permanent scholarship was established in her name in the English department at San Diego State University.

Kenhelm W. Stott was born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He moved to the United States in 1912 and was naturalized in 1916. He co-owned a car dealership from 1924 to early 1940. Kenhelm served in both World Wars in the Army. He was a machine gun officer in World War I and was made executive officer for military security for Southern California during World War II. By the time he retired in 1946, he held the post of executive officer, Southern District, Ninth Service Command, in Los Angeles. After retirement he attended San Diego State University, majoring in history. In 1950, he graduated with honors. He belonged to San Diego Masonic Lodge 35, F&AM, American Legion Post 433, Military Order of the World Wars in La Jolla, the local chapter of the Reserve Officers Association, of which he was president from 1937-38, the Fine Arts Society, the Zoological Society, the Natural History of Man Society and the Westerners of San Diego.

Kenhelm W. Stott, Jr. one of the four children of Dorothy and Kenhelm, Sr. His love for animals led him to study Zoology at the Pomona College in Claremont in the 1930s. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1942 and was assigned to the infectious disease team on Guam, Saipan, and the Philippines. He headed the San Diego Zoo in 1948. An extensive explorer, Kenhelm, Jr. went on four trips around the world, 19 trips to Africa, three to India and a dozen to Central and South America. Tirelessly promoting the Zoo, he started Zoonooz and was influential in getting the then radio show “Animal Kingdom” on the air. Kenhelm Jr. was also a Smithsonian research collaborator, a life fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Explorers Club and the Zoological Society of London.

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Scope and Content

This collection contains some personal papers of the Stott family in the early to mid-1900s, with an emphasis on Dorothy Stott’s musical career in San Diego and Kenhelm Stott Sr.’s military career. Dorothy’s materials include programs, newspaper articles, certificates, letters of recommendations and her high school diploma, as well as her high school scrapbook. Kenhelm Sr.’s paers include photographs and correspondence from his time in the military as well as newspaper articles the commencement program when he graduated from San Diego State University. The only material related to Kenhelm Jr. is a letter pertaining to the purchase of “Peaches” the Elephant from the Boswell Brothers’ Circus of Johannesburg.

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Arrangement

This collection is arranged by family member and material type.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

San Diego History Center Document Collection February 2, 2017

1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession #791006.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Annette Lo in January 2003 and Samantha Mills in February 2017.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Bach Society of San Diego County.
  • Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
  • Reserve Officers Association.
  • The Music Makers.
  • United States. Army.

Personal Name(s)

  • Stott, Kenhelm W., Jr.

Subject(s)

  • Women musicians
  • World War, 1914-1918
  • World War, 1939-1945

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Comments:

Researchers should not expect to find much on Kenhelm Jr. as a zoologist or anything relating to the San Diego Zoo. A 1938 Pt. Loma High school yearbook was separated on 10-19-1984 to the standard metal shelving and stored with other yearbooks.

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Collection Inventory

Box-folder
Dorothy Cranston Scott: Music Programs, 1925-1958 and undated

Includes:

Programs and newspaper regarding performances for: the Bach Society of San Diego; The Music Makers; Wednesday Club; Morning Choral Club of San Diego; La Jolla Woman’s Club; the Bishop’s School; the Amphion Club; Song Recital Theaters; and Swenson Musical Institute. Also includes recitals by Miss Lois Sickels, the Madrigal Singers, the San Diego Master Singers, Harold S. Hodge, Mme. De Turezynomirz’s group, La Quartette de Sainte Cecilia, Elizabeth Butts, and the St. Joseph Choir, and programs for Memorial Day and Easter Services.

1:1
Dorothy Stott: School Records, 1915-1933

Includes:

Credentials, diploma, health certificate, and letters of recommendation from teachers.

1:2
Dorothy Cranston Stott: High School Graduation Scrapbook, 1915 1:3
Dorothy Stott: Correspondence and Marriage Announcements, 1919-1958 and undated 1:4
Dorothy Stott: Miscellanea, 1926-1945 and undated

Includes:

WWII ration books; certificate of service for American National Red Cross; program for 1926 Music Teachers’ Association convention; Bach Chorus brochure; and First Congregational Church program.

1:5
Kenholm Stott, Sr.: Military Papers (1 of 2), 1924-1934

Includes:

Training certificates, orders and promotions, correspondence. Original order of documents retained.

1:6
Kenholm Stott, Sr.: Military Papers (2 of 2), 1934-1942

Includes:

Correspondence, treasurer reports, programs, newspaper articles, and photographs regarding Reserve Officers. Original order of documents retained.

1:7
Kenholm Stott, Sr.: San Diego State Commencement Program, 1950 1:8
Kenholm Stott, Jr., 1954 April 28

Includes:

One letter from Helen Boswell of Boswell Brothers’ Circus.

1:9

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