Lucretia Hanson Little Collection, 1908-1977

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Summary

Title:
Lucretia Hanson Little Collection
Dates:
1908-1977
Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
1.75 linear feet (4 boxes), 1 book
Language:
Preferred citation:

Lucretia Hanson Little Collection. Mill Valley Public Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains research materials, Hanson family letters, and Lucretia Little’s personal bible. The research materials include notes, copies of documents, and correspondence related to Lucretia Little’s research into Mill Valley and Marin County history. The letters, correspondence between various members of the Hanson family during the years 1926 through 1949, are in the form of typed transcriptions.

Biographical / historical:

Lucretia Hanson Little (1908-1977) was born in Alexandria, Virginia, the daughter of Charles Hanson and the former Lucretia Garfield Kays. In 1919, the family moved to Mill Valley, where the elder Lucretia eventually became a journalist for the Mill Valley Record and a community leader. Lucretia Hanson attended Summit School and Tamalpais Union High School (now Tamalpais High School). She then enrolled in Marin Junior College (now the College of Marin), and later Northwestern University where she met and married Robert Little. They had a child, Robert Little, Jr. She worked as the assistant to Ida B. Wise Smith, the president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In 1950, having divorced her husband, she returned to Mill Valley and worked as the Mill Valley Deputy City Clerk from 1951-1973. She often collected maps, objects, and paper materials City Hall felt were redundant, but she saw their historical value. In 1969 she was appointed City Historian by the mayor, and she continued conducting research on the history of California, particularly Mill Valley and Marin County. Her goal was to create a Mill Valley “Heritage Library” to house artifacts and papers, and she convinced the Mill Valley Public Library to dedicate space for this. The Lucretia Hanson Little History room opened on June 5, 1977, with her collection forming the bulk of its materials. Lucretia Little passed away on November 18, 1977.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Mill Valley Public Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1908-1977
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on April 17, 2025, 11:28 a.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Original materials may be viewed with permission from staff. Digital copies of materials may be available. Materials in this collection do not circulate.

Preferred citation:

Lucretia Hanson Little Collection. Mill Valley Public Library

Location of this collection:
375 Throckmorton Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941, US
Contact:
415-389-4292 x203
refdesk@cityofmillvalley.org
Website