Thomas (Tom) M. King Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection documents King's personal and professional commitment to historic preservation in San Jose from 1971 to 1995. The bulk of the collection relates to the San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites (SJSHAS), a city-sponsored project undertaken by King from 1972-1974. This project resulted in the first complete inventory of historic buildings in San Jose, and included detailed records of buildings and homes by planning district. King began advocating this project while pursuing his graduate studies at San Jose State University. He coordinated and administered the operation of the SJSHAS survey and organized a volunteer staff. Other materials in this collection include details of King's various activities with other historic preservation organizations throughout the San Jose area.
King's collection also includes various edited manuscript copies of his work on San Jose Quakers History. Topics covered in the manuscripts include the history of the first Quakers in San Jose, the move and influence of the Bean's family to San Jose, and the San Jose Society of Friends meetings. These manuscripts led to the publishing of King's book on the subject of San Jose Quakers.
Dates
- Creation: 1971-2006
Creator
- King, Thomas M., 1940- (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Biographical History
Tom M. King was born in Colusa County, California in 1940. King moved to San Jose in 1971, where he became involved in historic preservation. In 1974, he received his Master's Degree in Historic Urban Geography from San Jose State University. King's interest in historic preservation led him to coordinate and conduct the San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites (SJSHAS) between 1973 and 1974. King's efforts resulted in the first comprehensive inventory of historic places completed in San Jose. He later completed a similar survey of the city of Campbell while working for the Campbell City Historical Museum.
King founded the Victorian Preservation Association of Santa Clara in 1974; organized and operated annual historic downtown bus tours at the San Jose Tapestry in Talent Festivals from 1976-1990; served as President of the Luther Burbank Neighborhood Community Council; served on the board of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose for ten years; worked with the San Jose Historic Landmark Commission; and acted as an advisor to Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon. King also taught high school in the local area, as well as worked as a professional tour guide.
Extent
4 boxes (2 linear feet)
Abstract
The Thomas M. King Papers includes materials related to King's historic preservation work in San Jose, perticularly as it relates to the San Jose Survey of Historic and Archaeological Sites; and various edited manuscripts of King's published work History of San Jose Quakers, West Coast Friends: based on Joel Bean's diaries in Iowa and California.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series: Series I. Historic Preservation Work, which is arranged alphabetically by subject and format; Series II. San Jose Survey of Historical and Archaeological Sites, which is arranged alphabetically by name of neighborhood; and Series III. San Jose Quakers Manuscripts, which is arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
In November of 2000, Tom M. King donated his papers related to the San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites to San Jose State University. In 2007, he donated additonal materials related to the Survey. In 2008, he donated copies of his manuscript History of San Jose Quakers, West Coast Friends: based on based on Joel Bean's diaries in Iowa and California.
Processing Information
Processing completed by Jennifer E. Johnson, 2006. EAD encoding by Jennifer E. Johnson, 2006. Reviewed by Danelle Moon, 2006. Accruals were added to Series I by Stephanie Watson, July 2016. Accurals were added to Series II and Series III was created by Samira Habibi in April 2017.
Cultural context
Function
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas (Tom) M. King Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jennifer E. Johnson
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives Repository
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
(408) 808-2062
(408) 808-2063 (Fax)
special.collections@sjsu.edu