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Ina and Noel Harris Collection - Finding Aid

Abstract
Copyright
Biographical Information
Scope and Content of the Collection
Arrangement of the Collection
Series
Container List

Collection Number

2011.02

Contact Information

The University Library, Special Collections
Cal Poly Humboldt
One Harpst Street
Arcata, California 95521
URL: https://specialcollections.humboldt.edu/ina-and-noel-harris-collection

Processed By

Edith Butler, MA, CA Emeritus

Date Collection Processed

2018-2019

Language

English

Collection Creator

Ina Lipman Harris (1923 - ) and Noel Edwin Harris (1918 – 2017)

Dates Covered by Collection

1880s-2018
Bulk dates: 1930s-2016

Size of Collection

40.2 cu. ft.

Abstract

The Ina and Noel Harris Collection provides day by day evidence of how two persons, based in Eureka, (Humboldt County) California, with strong social justice convictions lived lives that exemplified their values. Full regard for every individual, willingness to speak (respectfully) truth to power, and daily efforts to build a community that embraces equality and justice--that sums up Ina and Noel Harris.

Through the writings, photos, ephemera, correspondence, Labor Union documents, publications, travel records, election ephemera, journals and calendars, and many other kinds of materials in this Collection the substance of the rich lives of Noel Harris and of Ina Harris are evident. Remarkable Lives Well Lived.

Access

Open for research by appointment

Copyright

Copyright has been assigned to Cal Poly Humboldt and also retained by Ina Harris and by Rachel Harris for their natural lifetimes. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce in any format please contact the Special Collections Librarian.

Acquisition Information

Most of Ina Harris' collection was donated to Cal Poly Humboldt Library in 2011. Noel Harris' collection was donated in 2019. The two collections have been combined during processing. The separation was deliberately made to accommodate the different decisions being made by Ina and by Noel between 2008 and 2011.

A request from Ina Harris in 2007 to Edith Butler, then Archivist at Cal Poly Humboldt Library, to help her organize the Collection started a long series of meetings and collaborations that assisted Ina in sorting vast quantities of materials that she and Noel had been accumulating for years. A chronological structure was settled upon. By 2009-2010 it became clear that while Ina was ready to donate her materials to a repository (Cal Poly Humboldt), Noel was not yet ready. Thus a system was established of a set of chronologically organized binders: one for Ina and another for Noel. As Ina needed to spend more of her time and her energy caring for Noel (the result of his stroke in July 2007) the separation of the materials was less, and was less carefully done. Edith sorted the materials that were still accumulating at the Harris home into the "Chronological Files" series.

Ina Harris donated the bulk of her collection to Cal Poly Humboldt Library in 2011. Small additions arrived over the next few years. By the end of 2013-2014 the total volume was 40 boxes; some boxes were not full and some utilized inefficiently.

By mid-2013 Noel Harris was ready to donate his collection to join Ina's at Cal Poly Humboldt. But by then the acceptance by HSU became problematic and full consideration was deferred. During Fall 2014 a series of meetings over a two year period began. Finally, in 2017, it was agreed that Cal Poly Humboldt Library would accept the Noel Harris Collection but that the combined size of the Ina Harris Collection and the Noel Harris Collection could not exceed roughly 40 cu. ft., that being the size of the storage area assigned to it. Not all the saved materials could remain in the Collection; hard selecting decisions were made during the archival processing of the Collection.

Funding

Processing the Ina and Noel Harris Collection is supported by a fund at the Humboldt Area Foundation. The Friends of the Noel E. Harris Archive Fund was established and donations from about a dozen friends of Ina and Noel Harris plus a generous grant from the Will J. Reid Foundation have funded the effort.

Biographical Information

This Biographical Sketch of Noel and Ina Harris is intentionally brief because other sources more than adequately provide information and perspectives. Please see the Transcripts and interview notes in Files 1-5 of Box 1. Also, please see the documents linked to in this section of this Finding Aid. 

Noel Harris

Noel Harris (1918-2017) was born in Inglenook (a town that no longer exists) near Fort Bragg, CA. He was the 5th and youngest child of Thomas Jefferson and Edith Wood Harris. (Edith Wood is the daughter of James Ervin Wood, a 1860s settler of the Garberville area, making Noel a descendent of this large pioneer family.) In 1922, the family moved to Fields Landing, then to Eureka. Noel graduated from Eureka High School in 1936. In 1940 he married Myrtle Loft. Their son John Steven Harris was born in 1941 (died in 1967). Noel enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and served on the ship U.S.S. Cowpins in the Pacific. Noel and Myrtle divorced after World War II. In 1947 Noel and Charis Wilson were married. (Charis had previously been married to photographer Edwin Weston.) Noel and Charis settled in Eureka where Noel finished his BA at HSU, graduating with honors in 1949. Anita Kathryn Harris was born in 1948 (died in 1967) and Rachel Fern Harris was born in 1950. By 1951 Noel was employed in the lumber industry and was a member of the union, just as he had been in an earlier job at the Fields Landing Whaling Station. Noel was a union man throughout his life, steadfast in seeking better working conditions and just treatment for workers.

In the 2017 obituary for Noel Harris, Rachel Harris captures the spirit of his life. PDF icon noel_harris_obituary.pdf

Noel's career is fully described by Gordon Webb and Lesa Coleman in the Biographical Sketches on pp. 170-172 of the Collection Inventory of the Redwood District Council of Lumber and Sawmill Workers Collection. Ina's background and work as Noel's secretary are also fully described. PDF icon harris_bio_from_rdc_finding_aid.pdf

In 2007 Noel's daughter, Rachel, wrote "The Ballad of Ina and Noel" which nicely sums up their relationship with each other and with their surrounding community. She updated the poem for Noel's memorial celebration in 2017. (see DVD of the celebration in Box 38 File 49) PDF icon the_ballad_of_ina_and_noel.pdf 

Ina Harris

Ina Lipman Harris (1923 - ) was born in New York, NY to Issac Birkhahn and Helen Phillips Lipman. Ina, her twin sister, Marilyn, sister, Norma, and brother, Bob, were raised on an apple and chicken farm in Washington Crossing, New Jersey. Ina graduated from high school in 1940 and attended Trenton State Teachers College from which she graduated in 1943. After WWII Ina followed Weldon Pearson to Spokane, Washington where they were married in 1946. Son, Niels, arrived in 1947 and daughter, Gail, arrived in 1951. In 1955 Ina left Weldon and she and the two children settled in Seattle, WA. There she married Larry Bradford in 1956 and daughter Leigh was born in 1957. In 1959 the family moved to Eureka, CA.

Soon Ina Bradford and Noel Harris met and fell in love. Ina stayed in her marriage until 1967, when she and Larry Bradford divorced. Noel and Charis Harris also divorced in 1967 and Ina and Noel Harris were married in December 1967. During the 1960s Ina taught elementary school in Price Creek (Humboldt County) CA; Kansas City, KS and MO; and Rio Dell, CA. Shortly after marring Noel, Ina devoted herself to being his secretary at Lumber and Sawmill Workers Local 2931. She also began a lifetime commitment to working as a community organizer and volunteer.

The highlights of Ina's numerous volunteer works include: eleven years on the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission, decades of membership and service in the Eureka Branch NAACP, creating and presenting on two KHSU radio shows ("Through The Eyes of Women", and "Labor USA"), co-chairing the Jesse Jackson For President campaigns in 1984 and 1988, member of the Community Multicultural Education Committee, member of the Humboldt County Homeless Task Force and board member for the Mitchell-Redner Center. During the 1980s Ina also fought for the rights and for the well-being of lumber workers who lost their jobs due to mill closures and changes in the timber industry.

Noel's volunteer work includes leadership in the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, NAACP (he and Charis were charter members of the Eureka Branch NAACP), Humboldt County Historical Society, ACLU board member, and Humboldt Room Docent at the Humboldt County Library. Noel also was active "beyond the call of duty" in so many labor union activities and was always advocating for union members' rights.

Quotes from attendees at Ina and Noel's 30th wedding celebration (in 1997) are: Heart, courage, brains, wisdomLove feeds out into the world; Social justice; and Ina's slogan: What we can not do alone we can do together. Ina and Noel Harris are held in high regard by all who know them.

Awards to Ina and to Noel Harris (Please also see Files 2-8 in Box 7)

1988 Ina Harris given "Honorable Mention" by the National Federation of Community Broadcasters for her excellent work on the KHSU program: "Labor, USA."

1992 Ina Harris given the "Honoring Women Award" by the Humboldt Women for Shelter; and also accompanying recognition from the California State Senate, California State Assembly, Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, and Eureka City Council.

1992 Ina and Noel Harris given the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Southwest Labor Studies Association.

1996 Ina Harris was nominated for the Eureka Ministerial Association's first Peacemaker Prize. See Jerryl Lynn Rubin's letter of nomination (LINK HERE) for a fine description of Ina's volunteer activities and her approach to building a community.

1996 Ina and Noel Harris given a Resolution by the California State Assembly for their "exemplary records of service."

2000 Ina Harris given the "Citizen Activist Award" by the League of Women Voters at their State of the Community Luncheon.

2007 Ina and Noel Harris named as the "Peace and Justice Honorees" by the Redwood Peace and Justice Center.

2008 Ina Harris given a "Certificate of Appreciation" by United Indian Health Services at their Annual Board and Staff Meeting.

The Harris home is filled with art, often by or about persons with whom they have a personal connection. There are shelves of books are in every room covering a wide range of subjects, with a particular focus on history and politics including many books on Socialism and Communism.

Scope and Content of the Collection

The Ina and Noel Harris Collection provides day by day evidence of how two persons with strong social justice convictions lived lives that exemplified their values. Full regard for every individual, willingness to speak (respectfully) truth to power, and daily efforts to build a community that embraces equality and justice--that sums up Ina and Noel Harris. Remarkable Lives Well Lived.

Through the writings, photos, ephemera, correspondence, Labor Union documents, publications, travel records, election ephemera, journals and calendars, and many other kinds of materials the substance of the rich lives of Noel Harris and of Ina Harris are evident. Fortunately Noel saved things from his young adult life as this allows all to see the numerous newsletters put out by several Communist Party organizations in Eureka and in Humboldt County. A selection of these have been scanned and are linked to below. They provide a basis for the wide variety of progressive, Socialist, Communist literature that is also represented in this Collection.

Arrangement of the Collection

Arranging a much larger than 40 cubic foot collection to fit into a 40 cubic foot area requires prioritizing and sampling. The closer an item was to the lives of either Ina or Noel Harris meant it was saved. The more local (Humboldt County, Northern California) an item is increased the chances that it would be saved, or at least sampled. The staggered way that the Collection was assembled: first in two parts, then the intermittent way that different parts of the collection became available complicated the process. In the end the Archivist is confident that the materials that tell the lives of Ina Harris and of Noel Harris are in the Collection. Because of these factors the arrangement in the Collection is somewhat disjointed so patience and understanding by researchers is requested.

Series

  • Biography
  • Binders
  • Chronological Files (see also Biography and Binders)
  • Political
  • Political – Organizations
  • Political Publications
  • Progressive Literature
  • Communism – HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)
  • Communism – Educational, CPUSA (Communist Party United States America), "Communist Party/US: Historical File", Communism, Publication
  • Committees Of Correspondence (C of C)
  • Progressive Literature
  • Political – Elections, [Political-] Elections – Rainbow Coalition/Jesse Jackson
  • Peace and Anti-War
  • Labor – Humboldt Labor History Project
  • Labor – Southwest Labor Studies Association
  • Labor – Harris Files
  • Labor – Strikes
  • Subjects
  • Ina Harris' Collection from The Communist Party
  • From the Fireproof, locked file cabinet at Harris Home
  • Photos
  • CD; DVD and Thumb drive; SDHC card and photo prints
  • Tapes – VHS
  • Tapes – Audio
  • Newspapers
  • Oversize Photos and Prints

Biography
Between 1987 and 2005 several Oral History/Life Review interviews were conducted with Ina and with Noel Harris. Where transcripts or notes are available they have been included in this set of five files. See also tapes in Box 38 as a transcript is included there. These transcripts provide an introduction to life events for Ina and for Noel.

In 2018 Rachel Harris (for Noel) and Ina (for herself) decided to seek the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files that may have been compiled. The file provided to Ina from the FBI, via National Archives and Records Administration, and the correspondence for the ongoing effort to obtain the files for Noel are included.

Biography – Journals
Ina Harris Ina Harris is a note taker and journal maker. Her Calendars and Notebooks (1970-2001) Telephone Logs (2003-2013) and Journals (1979-2018) are included here. Ina Harris noted nearly everything that occurred in a day. One can, using all these materials, see what Ina and Noel were doing, with whom; and her Journal entries tell the significance. This information dovetails with much that is included in the Binders and in the Chronological Files.

Biography – Writing
In retirement Ina and Noel participated in Senior Writing Groups and in the Humboldt State University "Over 60" Program. Their writings from these activities are included here. Some school related materials from Noel's school days and college days are also included. Some of Noel's writings are in the "From the Fireproof, locked file cabinet at Harris Home" (Box 37) files.

Biography – [Awards]
Ina, and Ina and Noel received several awards during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s for their lifelong service to the community.

Biography – Families
Information about the children of Ina and of Noel is included here. Most of the materials in this group are largely compiled by the Archivist from items found in the binders, and in loose materials. Ina Harris and Rachel Harris are retaining most of the information about children or siblings.

Noel Harris is (on his mother's side) a descendent from a Humboldt County pioneer family: the James Ervin Wood Family of the Garberville area. Noel Harris is a grandson of Wood. Materials in Box 7, folders 18-21 pertain to several generations of the Wood Family.

Binders 1920-2009
Ina Harris referred to the binders as "Memory Books". The contents certainly reflect the long-time network of friends, associates, organizations that reveal Ina's and Noel's personal and political values, activities, and challenges. Activities and issues such as labor, peace, family, homelessness, equality (race, gender, sexual orientation), political campaigns, social recreation, arts, and travel are all represented.

Ina established two sets of binders: one for herself and one for Noel. Included are: ephemera, clippings with meaning for the family, notes, greeting cards (often with notes and/or images), the grist of everyday life.

The two sets of binders arose from two main reasons: Ina and Noel are separate individuals with some separate activities and extended families, and the fact that, in 2011, Ina was more ready to donate her collection to an archival repository than was Noel.

Photographs were left in the Binder files as they were usually associated with correspondence.

The processing Archivist has a decades long acquintianship/friendship with Ina and Noel and therefore knew that some memorabilia possessed stronger significance than others. Thus, she made the decision to move some items to separate files so that materials from certain persons/organizations could be housed together in this Collection. These materials created or added to these files: Humboldt State University, Jesse Jackson/Rainbow Coalition Campaigns, Committees of Correspondence, Albert J. (Mickey) and Helen Lima, Charis Wilson, Bob O'Dell and Ruth Beck, Labor, NAACP, James Ervin Wood Family, Harris Family, Southwest Labor Studies Association, writers groups, Peace, Women In Black, Veterans For Peace.

Chronological Files

1930-2016
As Ina's time and energy shifted more to caring for Noel in his declining years, she left the sorting process to the Archivist. These files include materials for both Ina and for Noel. Items are of the same nature as those included in the Binders.

Political and Political Organizations and Political Publications and Progressive Literature
Box 16 holds rare materials from the late 1930s and early 1940s (as well as more recent materials). Communist Party newsletters printed in Humboldt County by several organizations: Communist Party of Humboldt County, Communist Party Eureka, Communist Party in the Redwood District are a few of them. In the late 1940s and early 1950s Noel Harris was active in the Independent Progressive Party and was a delegate to the 1952 convention. Selected items were scanned and are available online in Humboldt Ditigal Commons.

Communism – HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)
Materials pertaining to Noel Harris being called before HUAC in May 1960 are found here. Included is Noel Harris' 1987 paper about the experience and the impact it had on his activities in Lumber and Sawmill Workers Local 2931. Likely Noel would have objected to the use of the word Communism in regards to his collection. Ina Harris explains it this way: Noel was shy and sensitive about his views of American politics, and that he did suffer negative treatment for his beliefs.

Communism – Educational, Communism
CPUSA (Communist Party United States America), "Communist Party/US: Historical File", Communism, Publication Materials originating in California or the West Coast were retained and a sampling of materials from the New York Communist Party office were retained. Ina and Noel Harris faithfully saved newsletters, newspapers, and a wide selection of publications.

Committees Of Correspondence (C of C)
In the early 1990s many members of the Communist Party USA left the Party and formed a new organization: Committees Of Correspondence. Northern California had an active chapter in the San Francisco area. Ina Harris was associated with a Humboldt County chapter. Her notes are included as are all the California originated materials and a sampling of the national publications.

Progressive Literature
Small booklets from publishing houses such as: International Publishers, New Century Publishers, New Outlook Publishers, Novosti (USSR) are included here. This is a selection of the larger collection of the same nature that Noel Harris once held. Also, Noel and Ina Harris' book library holds a wide variety of progressive literature and is not included in this collection.

Political – Elections, [Political-] Elections – Rainbow Coalition/Jesse Jackson
Noel Harris' interest in elections started when he was still a youth. He saved materials from nearly every local election as well as state and national elections. Ina Harris was a co-chair of the Humboldt County Jesse Jackson for President campaigns in 1984 and 1988. A considerable amount of material from those efforts is in this Collection.

Peace and Anti-War
Ina Harris, and also Noel Harris, were always for peace and for community building in support of peace. The materials here range from local anti-Vietnam War efforts to Veterans For Peace and Women In Black protesting wars in the 21st Century.

Labor – Humboldt Labor History Project
Noel and Ina Harris were active in this organization, which flourished in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Noel Harris presented a paper at the 1987 Conference sponsored by this organization. His notes for this presentation are included here.

Labor – Southwest Labor Studies Association
Noel and Ina Harris participated in this association and attended most of the annual conferences for nearly 30 years. In 1992 Ina and Noel Harris were given the "Lifetime Achievement Award". Likely the Association's materials saved here are the most complete set saved in any archive.

Labor – Harris Files
Noel and Ina Harris donated 3 cubic feet of materials to the Redwood District Council – Lumber and Sawmill Workers Collection (at Cal Poly Humboldt) and certainly the materials in this collection are related to those. These materials cover about a 65 year period and a wide range of Labor and Labor Union matters. Preference was given to including all materials from Local 2931, the union Noel joined in 1951, and where he was employed as Business Agent/Financial Secretary from 1965 until his retirement in 1981. Included are the handwritten notes of Ensi Wirta, a longtime friend of Noel's, taken from the 1932-1935 "Western Worker".

Labor – Strikes
Noel Harris, as a teenager, was in San Francisco during the 1934 General Strike and was present in Eureka during the 1935 Lumber Strike and police riot. These were foundational experiences for him. Over the years Noel was active in preserving the memory of the 1935 Strike and the participants who lost their lives. Also included are files on other strikes in the Humboldt County lumber industry from 1946-1983.

Subjects
The items in this series emerged from many parts of the original boxing up of the collection and from things selected from the Binders and the Chronological categories. Included, under Travel, are itineraries from the USSR trips (1971, 1981, 1982, 1986) taken by Ina and Noel. Also included are Ina's notes taken during the trips.

Ina Harris' Collection from The Communist Party
The materials in this full box came to the Archivist late in the collection processing. All the files/items were retained. Not everything is from the Communist Party or even directly about Communism.

From the Fireproof, locked file cabinet at Harris Home
The materials in this category came to the Archivist late in the collection processing. The Fireproof, locked file cabinet is used to store valuable and memorable, and usually political items. The wide-ranging topics represented here do relate to items found elsewhere in this collection.

Photos
Ina Harris keeps a camera close by and has taken countless photos over the years. Many of the ones in this section were taken by her or with her camera. Many of the images are copies from a color printer, rather than being original photographs.

CD; DVD and Thumb drive; SDHC card and photo prints
Special events: 2007 event honoring Ina and Noel Harris by the Redwood Peace and Justice Center; 2017 Celebration of the Life of Noel Harris; and snapshots of the items on the walls of the Harris Home.

Tapes – VHS
Living Biographies interview (unedited) with Noel Harris. Two days of taping the 1995 Southwest Labor Studies Association Conference.

Tapes – Audio
Tapes pertaining to Labor History; and 10 tapes from the Harris' sponsored "Decades Revisited" meetings held in 1984-1985. In 1984 Noel and Ina Harris initiated a series of potluck gatherings at their home. The older persons presented their memories of what had happened to them and to the nation starting with the 1920s. Over the next several months they met and ended up with the 1960s. By the end of the sessions the younger persons attending were also sharing their recollections and the meaning of certain events had for them. See names of participants in Container List: Box 38, File 55.

Newspapers
Most of these materials came to the Archivist late in the collection processing. In selecting samples from the large quantity of newsprint materials (that would not fit in the 40 cu fit limitation for the collection) Northwest California materials were given strong preference, next other West Coast titles were selected, and then rarer titles were selected.

Oversize Photos and Prints
Notable in this section is a photograph of Ina Harris and Ruth Mountaingrove taken for their birthday party celebrating their 80th birthdays in 2003. 

Container List

BOX 1

Biography  

Between 1987 and 2005 several Oral History/Life Review interviews were conducted with Ina and with Noel Harris.  Where transcripts or notes are available they have been included in this set of five files.  See also tapes in Box 38 as a transcript is included there.    These transcripts provide an introduction to life events for Ina and for Noel.  

In 2018 Rachel Harris (for Noel) and Ina (for herself) decided to seek the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files that may have been compiled.  The file provided to Ina from the FBI, via National Archives and Records Administration, and the correspondence for the ongoing effort to obtain the files for Noel are included.  

Biography – Interviews

1. Transcript of Noel Harris interview by Richard Khamsi; 1987

2. Lesa Coleman’s notes on interview with Ina Harris; 1990s

3. Molly Onstine’s notes on Ina Harris; Heather Shelton’s notes on Homelessness:  “Whatever can be done?”; 1997-2000

4. Nedra Johnson of Family Legacy Project; 4 transcripts and Nedra’s notes; 1997

5. Mashaw McGuinis’ notes; write up of interview with Ina and Noel Harris; 2005

Biography – Noel Harris

6. Noel Harris Obituary; written by daughter, Rachel Harris; 2017

7. FBI Request for File, sent in 2018

Biography – Ina Harris

8. FBI file on Ina Harris, obtained in 2018

9. Membership cards, Ina and Noel Harris; 1963-1995

10. Ina Harris – Art and cards

11. Calendars, Notebooks; 1970-2001

12. Telephone Logs, Correspondence Logs; 2003-2008

13. Telephone Logs, Notes; 2008-2010

14. Telephone Logs, Notes; 2011-2013

 

BOX 2

Biography – Journals - Ina Harris

Ina Harris is a note taker and journal maker.  Her Calendars and Notebooks (1970-2001) Telephone Logs (2003-2013) and Journals (1979-2018) are included here.  Ina Harris noted nearly everything that occurred in a day.  One can, using all these materials, see what Ina and Noel were doing, with whom; and her Journal entries tell the significance.  This information dovetails with much that is included in the Binders and in the Chronological Files. 

1. December 1979-July 1983

2. July 1983-January 1988

3. April 1988-February 1992

4. February 1992-February 1995

 

BOX 3

Biography – Journals-Ina Harris (con’t)

1. February 1995-November 1997

2. November 1997-April 2000

3. April 2000-August 2000

 

BOX 4

Biography – Journals – Ina Harris (con’t)

1. August 2002-October 2004

2. October 2004-March 2006

3. March 2006-March 2008

 

BOX 5

Biography – Journals – Ina Harris (con’t)

1. March 2008-March 2010

2. March 2010-November 2012

3. November 2012-February 2017

 

BOX 6

Biography – Journals – Ina Harris (con’t)

1. February 2017-September 2018

Biography – Writing

In retirement Ina and Noel participated in Senior Writing Groups and in the Humboldt State University “Over 60” Program.  Their writings from these activities are included here.  Some school related materials from Noel’s school days and college days are also included.  Some of Noel’s writings are in the “From the Fireproof, locked file cabinet at Harris Home” (Box 37) files.

2. School assignments – Noel Harris; 1930-1934

3. School assignments – Noel Harris; 1933-1936

4. Humboldt State College; Noel Harris; 1 of 2; 1947-1949

5. Humboldt State College; Noel Harris; 2 of 2; 1947-1949

6. Noel Harris’ paper: HUAC Summons and Unionist From Redwood Country; 1987

7. HSU “Over 60” Classes; Noel Harris; 1980s

8. Noel Harris’ Writings; 2000-2004

9. College of the Redwoods – Ina Harris; 1977

10. HSU “Over 60” Classes; Ina Harris; 1980s

11. Great Northern Wordsmiths; Ina Harris’ Writings; 1990-1991

12. Stringing The Pearls Of Your Life; HSRS; 1999-2006

13. Stringing The Pearls Of Your Life; Ina Harris’ Notes; 1999-2003

14. Silver Quills; 2004-2005

15. Ina Harris’ A Sweet Man; about Noel Harris; 2002

16. Ina Harris’ Writings; 1999-2001

17. Ina Harris’ Writings; 2002-2004

18. Ina Harris’ Writings; 2005-2007

  

BOX 7

Biography – [Awards]

Ina, and Ina and Noel received several awards during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s for their lifelong service to the community.  

1. Ina Harris’ Teaching; Credentials, Contracts, College Transcript; 1943-1967

2. Awards – Ina Harris and KHSU; National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Honorable Mention; American Women in Radio and Television, Honorable Mention; 1988

3. Awards – Ina and Noel Harris; Southwest Labor Studies Association Lifetime Achievement Award; 1992

4. Awards – Ina Harris; Humboldt Women for Shelter, Honoring Women; 1992

5. Awards – Ina and Noel Harris; California Legislature, Assembly Commendation; 1996

6. Awards – Ina Harris; Humboldt Senior Resource Center, Humboldt Peacemaker Prize; 1996

7. Awards – Ina Harris; Humboldt County League of Women Voters, Civic Contribution Award; 2000

8. Awards – Ina and Noel Harris; Redwood Peace and Justice Center; Peace and Justice Honorees; 2007

9. Harris Household Expenditure Records; 1975-1982

Biography – Families

Information about the children of Ina and of Noel is included here.  Most of the materials  in this group are largely compiled by the Archivist from items found in the binders, and in loose materials.  Ina Harris and Rachel Harris are retaining most of the information about children or siblings.  

Noel Harris is (on his mother’s side) a descendent from a Humboldt County pioneer family:  the James Ervin Wood Family of the Garberville area.  Noel Harris is a grandson of Wood.  Materials in Box 7, folders 18-21 pertain to several generations of the Wood Family.   

10. Notes by Ina Harris about her parents’ families

11. Anita Harris

12. John Stephen Harris

13. Rachel Harris

14. Niels Pearson

15. Gail Pearson

16. Leigh Bradford

17. Charis Wilson; Edward Weston; mid 1960s-2009

18. Wood Family Genealogy

19. Thomas and Edith Harris and their children

20. Gary Thrap emails; 2001-2009

21. Myrtle Baxter email; 2001-2009

22. Wood Family

23. Wood Family – Hadley Trial; 1947

24. Harris Family

 

BOX 8

Binders  1920-2009

Ina Harris referred to the binders as “Memory Books”.  The contents certainly reflect the long-time network of friends, associates, organizations that reveal Ina’s and Noel’s personal and political values, activities, and challenges.  Activities and issues such as labor, peace, family, homelessness, equality (race, gender, sexual orientation), political campaigns, social recreation, arts, and travel are all represented.  

Ina established two sets of binders:  one for herself and one for Noel.  Included are: ephemera, clippings with meaning for the family, notes, greeting cards (often with notes and/or images), the grist of everyday life.

The two sets of binders arose from two main reasons:  Ina and Noel are separate individuals with some separate activities and extended families, and the fact that, in 2011, Ina was more ready to donate her collection to an archival repository than was Noel.   

Photographs were left in the Binder files as they were usually associated with correspondence. 

The processing Archivist has a decades long acquintianship/friendship with Ina and Noel and therefore knew that some memorabilia possessed stronger significance than others.  Thus, she made the decision to move some items to separate files so that materials from certain persons/organizations could be housed together in this Collection. These materials   created or added to these files:  Humboldt State University, Jesse Jackson/Rainbow Coalition Campaigns, Committees of Correspondence, Albert  J. (Mickey) and Helen Lima, Charis Wilson, Bob O’Dell and Ruth Beck, Labor, NAACP, James Ervin Wood Family, Harris Family, Southwest Labor Studies Association, writers groups, Peace, Women In Black, Veterans For Peace

Binders - Ina

1. 1981-1989

2. 1990-1992

3. 1993-1994

4. 1995-1996

5. 1997

6. 1998

7. 1999

8. 2000

9. 2001 January – May

10. 2001 June - December

 

BOX 9

Binders – Ina (con’t)

1. 2002

2. 2003-February 1 Birthday Celebration; Ina Harris and Ruth Mountaingrove; see also Chronological Files for 2003

3. 2003

4. 2004 January – June

5. 2005 July – December

6. 2005

 

BOX 10

Binders – Ina (con’t)

1. 2006 January – June

2. 2006 July-December

3. 2007

4. 2008

5. 2009

 

BOX 11

Binders – Noel

1. 1920-1997

2. 1998-2000

3. 2001-2003

4. 2004

5. 2005-2007

 

BOX 12

Binders – Noel (con’t)

1. 2007

2. 2008-2009

3. 2000-2011 Swim Group/Pools; Includes Swim Group Participant Lists

Chronological Files

1930-2016

As Ina’s time and energy shifted more to caring for Noel in his declining years, she left  the sorting process to the Archivist.  These files include materials for both Ina and for Noel.  Items are of the same nature as those included in the Binders.

4. 1930-1959

5. 1960-1969

6. 1970-1974

7. 1975

8. 1976

9. 1977

 

BOX 13

Chronological Files (con’t)

1. 1978

2.  1979

3. 1980

4. 1981

5. 1982

6. 1983

7. 1984-1988

8. 1989

9. 1990-1991

10. 1992-1993

11. 1994-1996

12. 1997

13. 1997 – 30th Wedding Anniversary Celebration; see also Box 39 Tapes

 

BOX 14

Chronological Files (con’t)

1. 1998

2. 1999

3. 2000

4. 2001

5. 2002

6. 2003

7. 80th Birthday Party for Ina Harris and Ruth Mountaingrove, photos, invitation list; 2003; see also Binder – Ina 2003

8. 2004

 

BOX 15

Chronological Files (con’t)

1. 2005

2. 2006

3. 2007

4. 2008

5. 2009

6. 2010

7. 2011

8. 2012

9. 2013

10. 2014-2016

 

BOX 16
Political and Political Organizations and Political Publications and Progressive Literature

Box 16 holds rare materials from the late 1930s and early 1940s (as well as more recent materials).   Communist Party newsletters printed in Humboldt County by several organizations:  Communist Party of Humboldt County, Communist Party Eureka, Communist Party in the Redwood District are a few of them.  In the late 1940s and early 1950s Noel Harris was active in the Independent Progressive Party and was a delegate to the 1952 convention.  Selected items were scanned and are LINKED HERE.

Political

1. California Legislation Flyers, etc.; 1991-1992

2. Communism in Eureka Fisheries; 1949

Political – Organizations

3. International Labor Defense; Kaarte-Edlund Branch; Eureka California; 1935?; (scanned)

4. Communist Party of Northern California; 1936; (scanned)

5. Humboldt County “Dollars for Democracy” Committee; undated

6. Communist Sunday School – Finn Hall; Eureka; California Full Time School, San Francisco; U.O.P.W.A.; 1938

7. Communist Party of California; 1938-1948; (scanned)

8. Citizens Committee of the 2nd and 3rd Wards [Eureka]; 1939?; (scanned)

9. Lima, Albert J. “Mickie” Campaign in Eureka; 1939; (scanned)

10. Communist Party, Eureka Branch; 1939-1940; (scanned)

11. Labor’s Non-Partisan League; 1939-1940; (scanned)

12. Eureka Workers’ Alliance; 1940; (scanned)

13. Kosinogo Defense Committee; 1940; (scanned)

14. Renters’ Committee for Rent Control; Eureka, California; 1946; (scanned)

15. Communist Party of Humboldt County; Communist Party position on State Senate Race; 1949

16. Communist Party of the First Congressional District; Political Points, 3 issues; 1949-1952; (scanned)

17. International Woodworkers of America; undated; (scanned)

18. Communist Party of Humboldt County; late 1930s?; (scanned)

19. Independent Progressive Party of California; Humboldt County Club of IPP; 1948-1954

20. Independent Progressive Party, Humboldt County Club; 1947-1952

21. Independent Progressive Party, Humboldt Club Ledger Book; 1952

22. Independent Progressive Party; 1952 Convention; 1952

23. Jobs With Justice Pledge; 1992

24. Green Party; 1986-1998

25. Peace and Freedom Party; 1970-1998

26. New Party; 1991-1996

27. Redwood Coast Senior Citizens Club; 1977-1993

28. Redwood Coast Senior Citizens Club; Congress of California Seniors; 1994-1996

29. Redwood Coast Senior Citizens Club; “Humboldt Senior Issues”; 1994-2000

Political Publications - some items scanned and available online through Humboldt DigitalCommons

30. Youth Leader:  For a Common Solution to the Problems of Youth in the Redwood District; 5 issues; 1937-1937;

31. Trade Union News of Humboldt County; For a Progressive Trade Union Movement; 1937;

32. Redwood Woodworker; Organizational Bulletin of the International Woodworkers of America in the Redwood District; 9 issues; 1937-1938;

33. California Recruiter; 1938

34. Redwood Review; Monthly Bulletin of the Communist Party of Humboldt County; 1939; 

35.  Redwood Bulletin; Trade Union Section, Communist Party, Eureka; 3 issues; 1939; 

36. People’s World; late 1930s?;

37. The People Have Spoken; Eureka Report:  People’s World; 1938;

38. Union Bulletin; Trade Union Section, Communist Party, Eureka; 3 issues; 1938;

39.  Northern California Union Labor News; 1938

40. Redwood Communist Review; Communist Party in the Redwood District; 1940

41. Eureka Committees of Correspondence; “Speed Letter”; 1946-1947

42. The Northcoast Ripsaw; 1969

43. Rank and File Reporter; 1970s

44. Democratic Socialists of America; 7 issues; 1992

Progressive Literature (see also BOX 23)

45. Champion of Youth; 1936-1938

46. Timber Worker; International Woodworkers of America; 3 issues; 1939-1940

47. Work: Voice of the Unemployed, WPA Workers and All Who Seek Genuine Social Security; 1939

48. Highlander Folk School brochure; 1940s

49. In Order; International Woodworkers Order; 3 issues; 1942

50. “Viva The Communist Party of California”; A. J. Lima (Mickie) report to the California State Convention; 1979

BOX 17

Communism – HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

Materials pertaining to Noel Harris being called before HUAC in May 1960 are found here.  Included is Noel Harris’ 1987 paper about the experience and the impact it had on his activities in Lumber and Sawmill Workers Local 2931.  Likely Noel would have objected to the use of the word Communism in regards to his collection.  Ina Harris explains it this way:  Noel was shy and sensitive about his views of American politics, and that he did suffer negative treatment for his beliefs.

1. Hearings-Committee on Un-American Activities; May 13, 1960; Noel Harris testimony; 1960

2. Bibliography, HUAC; undated

3. HUAC – McCarthy; 1940s-1960s

4. HUAC/Operation Abolition, May 1960

5. HUAC- Mickie Lima; 1960

6. People’s World; 1960-1961

7. HUAC; 1960-1965

8. HUAC-City Hall S.F. newspaper clippings; 1960

9. HUAC; Newspaper clippings; 1960-1961

10. HUAC; 1961

11. HUAC-City Hall Trial; newspaper clippings; 1961

12. John Birch Society; 1963-1965

13. Noel Harris’ paper:  “HUAC Summons A Unionist From Redwood Country”; 1987

Communism – Educational, Communism – CPUSA (Communist Party United States America), “Communist Party/US: Historical File”, Communism, Publication

Materials originating in California or the West Coast were retained and a sampling of materials from the New York Communist Party office were retained.  Ina and Noel Harris faithfully saved newsletters, newspapers, and a wide selection of publications.  

Communism – Educational

14. Lima, Albert J.; Paper delivered to Marxist Scholars Conference of the West Coast; undated

15. Lima, Mickie; “The Chicano People As An Oppressed National Minority in the U.S.”; 1971

16. Lima, Mickie; Report: To the State Electoral Conference on September 17, 1983

17. Humboldt County Peace Demonstrations; 3 articles written for People’s World; 1985

18. “Historic”; 1940s-1960s

19. “Working Class”; 1980s

20. People’s Daily World, People’s World, Daily World, and other; 1980s

 

Box 18

Communism – CPUSA [Communist Party United States America]

1. Publications; brochures, leaflets, newspapers; selected samples; 1934-1992

2. Asians and Pacific Islanders; 1975-1979

3. Black Liberation; 1981-1983

4. Communist Manifesto/Karl Marx; 1848-1983

5. Culture; 1979-1983

6. Elections/Hall – Davis; 1980

7. Extraordinary Party Conference Report; 1982

8. Grass Roots and Ads; Humboldt County Material; 1972-1981

9. Green Ribbon/ Save Our Children; Atlanta Children; 1981

10. Humboldt County/Report 5/80; 1979-1980

11. Internationale

12. Native American-Indians/ General File; 1972-1979

13. Party Building; 1980-1983

14. People’s World/General File; 1979-1983

15. Plant Closures; 1980

16. Racism/Struggles Against; 1978-1981

17. South Africa/General and Relationship to Humboldt County; 1975-1981

18. Smith Act/1951; Mickie Lima’s Paper: The Smith Act; 1980

19. Historic File/CP; 1961

20. Historic File/CP; includes Humboldt County Defense Council “Official Civilian Defense Addition”; 1936-1974 

21. Communist Party Literature; Communist Party of California and the National Committee CPUSA; 1939-1941

22. Ina Harris’ notes and preparing to lead discussions; 1980s?

23. Various flyers and papers; 1980s

24. 24th National Convention; pre-convention discussions; 1987

25. California, Northern-Accumulated Materials; 1987

 

BOX 19

Communism – CPUSA (con’t)

1.  California, Northern – Accumulated Materials; 1988

2. Focus on the Work of the Party – In Northern California, includes Chapter Reports; 1989

3. Ideological Conference, Chicago; 1989

4. California, Northern – Accumulated Materials; 1989

5. California Issues – Especially Housing and Women; 1990

6. California, Northern – Accumulated Materials; 1991

7. Cassette Tapes (4) of Gus Hall; Update; 1991-1992

8. Gus Hall 2000 Obituary

Communism – “Communist Party/US: Historical File”

9. Communist Party, California; 1938-1946 circa

10. Communist Party, USA; 1930?-1949?

Communism

11. Noel Harris’ Notes; 1930s?-1993

12. Comments, for Distribution, on World Current Events; author unknown; 1939-1940

13. Communist Party, USA; 1940s

14. Noel Harris’ Study Materials on Communism; 1940s circa

15. “Rebels (World-Wide)”; 1945-1985

16. People’s World Correspondence; 1946-1948

17. Communist Party, California; 1946?-1951?

18. Gruhn, Albin; Anti-Communism; 1947-1955

19. Anita Whitney article on Equality for Women in People’s World; 1948

20.  Low, Nat article, “Confessions of a Communist” in People’s World; 1948

21. American-Soviet Friendship; “Facts”, “Report on the News”; 1948

22. “The Dictatorship of the People’s Democracy” Mao Tze-Tung; Committee for a Democratic Far Eastern Policy; 1949

23. Smith Act; Mickie Lima and Other Defendants; 1951

24. Smith Act; 1951-1957

25. Smith Act; Smith Act Trial Report, Trial Information Bulletin (12); 1952-1955

26. Smith Act; Eugene Dennis; 1950s-1960s

27. “Left-Wing Personalities”; 1952-1989

28. Richmond, Al: Editor of People’s World; 1956-1968

29. Mickie Lima’s Statement on the Motion from Northern California to the National Committee; 1957

30. Lumberjack News of Fort Seward; Correspondence; 1957

31. Steve Murdock’s article on Humboldt County Employment and Unemployment; 1957

32. CPUSA Split from Moscow clippings; 1957

33. People’s World Fund Drive; 1958

34. Humboldt County, Humboldt State College, Genzoli and Humboldt newspapers; anti- Communism; 1959-1962

35. Foster, William Z.; 1961

36. Brown, Archie; 1961-1965

37. Hall, Gus; 1963-1992

38. Bettina Aptheker file; 1964-1966

39. Reynolds, Melvina; 1967

40. Czechoslovakian Invasion; 1968

 

BOX 20

Communism (con’t)

1. Lenin; People’s World; 1969-1970

2. Davis, Angela; 1969-1970

3. American Institute for Marxist Studies Newsletter; 4 issues; 1969-1985

4. Communist Party, USA, loose materials; 1972-1990

5. Writing for the People’s World/April 1978

6. “Reds/General Info: Reed, Bryant, etc.” 1981-1989

7. Marxist Scholars Conference at UC Berkeley; 1987

8. “Reed, John: Journalist and Communist”; 1981-1982

9. Theodore Draper, “American Communism Revisited”; 1985

10. Red Letter; The Red Letter; Northern California District of the Communist Party; 1988-1991

11. “Un-edited Transcripts – Part 1 and Part 2, August 1991!!!”; National Committee Discussion; Part 1 and Part 2, May 1991

12. The Cuba Advocate and Cuba; 1991-1992

13. Newspapers/Gus Hall “Moscow Gold”, 1992

14. “KLUB Conference”; Communist Club Leadership Information; 1946-1992

15. “An Initiative To Unite And Renew the Party; 1991

Communism – Publication

16. Western Worker [1 issue]; 1934

17. International Press Conference; [2 issues]; 1935

18. Moscow News [7 issues]; 1935-1938

19. Soviet Russia Today [5 issues]; 1936-1940

20. Labor Defender [2 issues]; 1935

21. People’s World; First Edition Incorporation of Daily World [1 issue]; 1969

Committees Of Correspondence (C of C)

In the early 1990s many members of the Communist Party USA left the Party and formed a new organization: Committees Of Correspondence.  Northern California had an active chapter in the San Francisco area.  Ina Harris was associated with a Humboldt County chapter.  Her notes are included as are all the California originated materials and a sampling of the national publications.  

22. “Northern California Struggles - Pre-Convention”; 1992;  1990-1992

23. Ina Harris’ Meeting Notes; 1992

24. “Northern California; 3-Part Convention 1992”; 1991-1992

25. C of C/CA – District Northern California; 1991-1992

26. “National Committees of Correspondence Conference July 17-18-19, 1992 – Berkeley”; 1990- 1992

27. “Correspondence/Dialogue”; 1992-1993

28. “Nat’l C of C and C. P./Items”; 1992

29. “C of C/ Bulletin Board” 1991

30. “(Northern) CA Committee of Correspondence”; 1991-1992

31. “C. P.” Issues between C of C and Communist Party USA; 1993-1994

32. “CA Committees of Correspondence”; 1992

33. “1993” Northern California Committees of Correspondence; 1993

34. Ina Harris’ C of C Humboldt and No. California notes [2 notebooks]; 1992-1994

35. Humboldt Chapter C of C; 1992

36. Humboldt Chapter of C of C; 1993

37. Ina Harris’ C of C Humboldt Chapter Notes; 1994-1995

 

BOX 21

Committees Of Correspondence (C of C) (con’t)

1. Humboldt Chapter and Noel Harris’ notes; 1994-1995

2. Ina Harris’ C of C Humboldt County notes; 1995-1996

3. Ina Harris’ C of C Humboldt County notes; 1996-2000

4. Humboldt Chapter C of C; includes 3 cassette tapes-March 28, 1995; 1995-1998

5. Humboldt Chapter C of C; 1999-2014

6. Humboldt Chapter “Application Forms”

7. The Red Letter; Newsletter of the California Committee of Correspondence; 1992

8. Northern California Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism; CCDF; 12 issues; 2002-2009

9. California Committees of Correspondence Newsletter; 1993-2001

10. Flyers, clippings; loose materials; 1991?

11. Northern California; 1992

12. Northern California; 1993

13. Northern California; News For A People’s World; 1993-1994

14. Northern California; 1994

15. Northern California; 1995

16. Northern California; 1996-1997

17. Northern California; 1998-1999

18. Northern California; 2000-2012

19. Northern California; two undated conference schedules

20. Northern California; undated materials

21. National C of C; 1992-1993

22. National C of C; 1994

23. National C of C; 1995

24. National C of C; 1996-1999

25. National C of C; 2000-2009

26. National C of C; undated materials

 

BOX 22

Progressive Literature

Small booklets from publishing houses such as:  International Publishers, New Century Publishers, New Outlook Publishers, Novosti (USSR) are included here.  This is a selection of the larger collection of the same nature that Noel Harris once held. Also, 

Noel and Ina Harris’ book library holds a wide variety of progressive literature and is not included in this collection.   

1. Youth in USA; 1930s-1940s

2. World (except USSR and USA)

3. Fascism, World War II and Peace Effort

4. USA and Labor

5. USA

6. USSR

7. China and Southeast Asia, Asia

 

BOX 23

Progressive Literature (con’t) (see also BOX 16)

1. California-Published in California

2. Communism in USA

3. International Publishers publications

4. New Century Publishers publication

5. New Outlook Publishers publications

6. Novosti Press Agency Publishing House; Moscow

7. WREE-View of Women; (Women for Racial and Economic Equality)

8. Workers Library Publishers publications


BOX 24

Political – Elections, [Political-] Elections – Rainbow Coalition/Jesse Jackson

Noel Harris’ interest in elections started when he was still a youth.  He saved materials from nearly every local election as well as state and national elections.  Ina Harris was a co-chair of the Humboldt County Jesse Jackson for President campaigns in 1984 and 1988.  A considerable amount of material from those efforts is in this Collection.  

Political – Elections

1. Date not determined; 1950s – 2000s

2. 1927

3. 1932

4. Upton Sinclair File; 1934

5. 1934, 1936, 1938

6. 1936

7. 1938

8. Eureka City; 1939

9. 1940 Clara St. Peter Form Letter/Liberal Democratic; 1940

10. 1946

11. Eureka City Charter Election; 1947

12. Redwood Empire Labor Journal Election Coverage; 1947-1948

13. 1947-1948

14. 1948

15. Henry Wallace Campaign and Independent Progressive Party of California; 1948

16. Henry Wallace Campaign in California; 1 of 3; 1948

17. Henry Wallace Campaign in California; 2 of 3; 1948

18. Henry Wallace Campaign in California; 3 of 3; 1948

19. Henry Wallace; Songs for Wallace; Biography; Oral History and Archive; 1948

20. Norgard, Sterling (Jim); 1948

 

BOX 25

Political – Elections (con’t)

1. 1949

2. Lampella Speeches and Campaign; 1950

3. 1950

4. 1951

5. Campaigns and Independent Progressive Party documents; 1952

6. 1953

7. Hadley, Bunny Supervisor Campaign and other campaigns; 1954

8. 1955

9. 1956

10. 1957

11. 1958

12. 1959

13. Assorted campaign and election materials; 1960s-1970s

14. 1960

15. 1961

16. Miller, Clem and campaigns; 1962

17. Includes January 1963 Special Election; 1963

18. Landis, Bill; County Supervisor candidate; 1954-1965

19. Precinct Workers; 1964

20. 1964

21. 1966

22. Eureka; 1967

23. 1968

24. 1970

25. 1972

26. 1974

27. 1976

28. 1978

29. 1980

30. 1988 - See also Elections – Jesse Jackson Campaign (BOX 27); 1988

 

BOX 26

Political – Elections

1. 1990

2. 1992

3. 1993

4. “Proposition 174-Voucher Initiative”; [Was in with Committees of Correspondence materials]; 1993

5. Primary [Was in with Committees of Correspondence materials]; 1994

6. 1994

7. Nov. 1994 [Was in with Committees of Correspondence materials]; 1994

8. 1995 – Including Anti-Prop 187 Campaign; Anti-Immigration Proposition; 1995

9. 1996

10. 1997

11. 1998 – Primary; 1998

12. 1998 November General; 1998

13. 2000

14. 2002

15. 2004

16. 2008

17. 2010

18. 2012

19. 2013-2014

 

BOX 27

[Political-] Elections – Rainbow Coalition/Jesse Jackson

1. 1984 Ina Harris’ Journal; 1984

2.  Photos, 3 packets; 1984-1988

3. Includes California Rainbow Coalition; 1984-1989

4. Presidential Race in 1984; 1983-1984

5. Jesse Jackson for President Humboldt Rainbow Coalition; 1984

6. Rainbow Coalition Humboldt County; 1984-1985

7. Jackson Campaign; 1985-1988

8. Ina Harris’ Journal; 1988

9. Bumper Stickers; 1988

10. Campaign Buttons – 8; 1988

11. Election Issues; 1988

12. Finances; 1988

13. Issue Statements – North Coast Committee; 1988

14. Jackson Campaign – Humboldt County and NW CA; 1988

15. Jackson Support Committee; 1988

16. Jesse Jackson Guidelines; 1988

17. Local newspaper clippings; 1988

18. Post-Primary comments; 1988

19. Presidential Issues; 1988

20. Publicity; 1988

21. Precinct Get Out The Vote packet; 1988

22.  Banner; Jackson; 1988

23. Tee shirts – 3; 1988

 

BOX 28

Peace and Anti-War

Ina Harris, and also Noel Harris, were always for peace and for community building in support of peace.  The materials here range from local anti-Vietnam War efforts to Veterans For Peace and Women In Black protesting wars in the 21st Century.   

1. Background materials; 1953-1972

2. People’s World on Vietnam; 1963-1973

3. Peace/ “Vietnam Summer”/Arcata, CA; Walt Shesbro; HSU students; 1967

4. Humboldt County newspapers; 1967-1972

5. Humboldt Peace Center and Stop the War Now Committee; 1969-1971

6. Arcata Strike Sentinel; 1970

7. Humboldt State College Lumberjack; 1970

8. Shop-In at Safeway, Arcata; 1972

9. Humboldt Peace Vigil Committee; 1973

10. Humboldt County newspapers; 1970

11. San Francisco; 1969-1970

12. Humboldt Draft Coordinating Council; 1980

13. [Humboldt Jobs With Peace]; Leaflets; 1980s

14. Sonoma County “Peace Press” and other literature; 1987-1993

15. Arcata and Peace Resolution; 1990s

16. Veterans For Peace, Humboldt Bay; 1998-2016

17. Women In Black; Peace Movement, clippings, photos, notes; 2002-2005

18. Women In Black; Peace Movement, clippings, photos, notes; 2006-2008

19. Women In Black; Peace Movement, clippings, photos, notes; 2009-2012

20. Loose materials

Labor – Humboldt Labor History Project

Noel and Ina Harris were active in this organization, which flourished in the late 1980s-early 1990s.  Noel Harris presented a paper at the 1987 Conference sponsored by this organization.  His notes for this presentation are included here. 

21. Project notes, minutes, bylaws; 1986-1993

22. Exhibit and conference; 1987

23. Exhibit – Clarke Memorial Museum photographs (19); 1987

24. Conference - Noel Harris’ presentation notes; 1987

25. Redwood District Council – Lumber and Sawmill Workers Collection at HSU; clippings; 1989

 

BOX 29

Labor – Southwest Labor Studies Association

Noel and Ina Harris participated in this association and attended most of the annual conferences for nearly 30 years.   In 1992 Ina and Noel Harris were given the “Lifetime Achievement Award”.  Likely the Association’s materials saved here are the most complete set saved in any archive.  

 1. Newsletter; 1983-2002

2. Conferences; 1975-1980

3. Conferences; 1980-1987

4. Conferences, Lifetime Achievement Award 1992 for Ina and Noel Harris; 1988-1992

5. Conferences; 1993

6. Conferences; 1994

7. Conferences; 1995

8. Conferences; 1996-1997

9. Conferences; 1998-1999

10. Conferences and correspondence; 2002-2009

Labor – Harris Files

Noel and Ina Harris donated 3 cubic feet of materials to the Redwood District Council – Lumber and Sawmill Workers Collection (at Cal Poly Humboldt) and certainly the materials in this collection are related to those.  These materials cover about a 65 year period and a wide range of Labor and Labor Union matters.  Preference was given to including all materials from Local 2931, the union Noel joined in 1951, and where he was employed as Business Agent/Financial Secretary from 1965 until his retirement in 1981.  Included are the handwritten notes of Ensi Wirta, a longtime friend of Noel’s, taken from the 1932-1935 “Western Worker”.  

11. Booklet samples: by-laws, shop steward manual, Working Agreement, How speak at Union Meetings

12. Union dues paid by Noel Harris; 1967-2001

13. New Plywood Union; Local 2931, Redwood Empire Labor Journal article; 1948

14. Election tallies, nametags, misc. 

15. Cartoon drawings by Tom McHenry; 2931 cartoonist; early 1950s

16. Cartoon drawings by Ellis Taylor; “Taylor Made”

17. Apron from Malarkey and Malarkey; 1951-1956

18. Local 2931; M and M Ply; 1952-1955

19. M and M Ply newspaper clippings; 1955-1956

20. Local 2931/newspaper clippings; 1952-1969

 

Box 30

Labor – Harris Files (con’t)

1. Local 2931 “Record” book; 1952-1953

2. M and M purchased by Simpson Lumber Co.; 1956

3. M and M Woodworking Contract; 1955-1956

4. 2931 Members, newspaper clippings; 1956-1991

5. Local 2931; 1956-1964

6. 2931 By-laws; never adopted; 1960

7. Local 2931 Membership lists: June 1960, February 1973, November 1977; 1960-1977

8. Fairhaven – US Plywood; Seniority lists; 1962

9. Local 2931 Elections; 1961-1975

10. [Local] 2931 Simpson Pension minutes; Purnell era; 1962-1964

11. [Local] 2931, Clarence Purnell era; [Eureka Plywood Seniority lists]; undated

12. [Local] 2931 Simpson meeting minutes; Purnell era; 1959-1962

13. 2931 Simpson Health and Welfare meetings; Purnell era; undated

14. Grievance file; 1965-1980

15. Union/company meetings; 1964-1980

16. Union meeting notices; 1967-1980

17. Fairhaven Seniority Lists; 1965-1974

18. Check stubs, financial reports; 2931; 1970

19. Local 2931; [1 of 2]; 1965-1973

20. Local 2931; [2 of 2]; 1965-1973

21. Simpson Contract negotiations; Fairhaven; 1966-1976

22. [Expense stubs]; 1971-1974

23. Per cap/monthly record sheets; 1971-1973

24. [2931 meeting notes, grievances, absentee report]; 1974-1975

25. For 7/18/76; [includes Seniority Lists]; 2931; 1975-1976

26. Redwood Empire Builders; Thomas Industries; 1974-1975

27. Plant meeting notes; 1976

28. Local 2931; 1975-1981

29. Simpson Co. Union meetings; Fairhaven; 1971-1972

30. 2808 merger with 2931; 1978-1979

31. Emmons, Jim D. / File; 1978-1979

32. Ina Harris’ letters to Redwood District Council and Local 2931; 1979-1980

33. Local 2931; Carl Brant period; 1981-1982

34. 1980 Contract Agreement, Local 2931; 1974-1980

35. [Local 2931] Dues – Financial; counter file; 1975-1981

36. [Local] 2931 Master File/Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 benefits; 1981

37. Simpson Lockout of workers; 1985

38. [2931 Loose materials]; 1959-1969

 

Box 31

Labor – Harris Files (con’t)

1. [Local 2931 Loose materials]; 1970-1980

2. Simpson Strike Manual; undated

3. Simpson Pensions; 1968-1981

4. Simpson Pension Trust, Expense vouchers, Noel Harris pension documents

5. Letterhead samples; Redwood District Council, Lumber and Sawmill Workers, Plywood and Veneer Workers

6. Holmes-Eureka, Local 3061 Supplemental Agreement; 1945

7. Audience group; 1948

8. Redwood District Council meetings; 1954-1967

9. RDC Quarterly Convention meetings; 1955-1965

10. Redwood District Council meetings; 1957-1962

11. Redwood District Council meetings; 1962

12. RDC meetings, N. Harris’ notes; 1950s-1960s

13. RDC general file; 1976-1982

14. Ray Nelson’s pension; undated

15. Simpson publications

16. Local #2808 – general file; 1979

17. Dues increase material; 1965-1967

18. Lumber organizing in Northwest California; 3 issues of Redwood Empire Labor Journal; 1940- 1949

19. Bulletin: Carpenters Union Local 1040; 1 issue; 1959

20. Barbers Boycott List [persons patronizing non-union barbershop]

21. Lumber company mergers; 1955

22. Directory of Humboldt County mills and map of lumber industry labor unions; 1952-1980s

23. Simpson Lumber Co. newspaper clippings; 1957-1971

24. Taft-Hartley, Al Fisher; 1958

25. “Western Wood Week” (1 issue); “World Wood Week” (1 issue); Eureka, CA; 1964-1965

26. Trade unions – general; [includes Humboldt Co. material]; 1965-1989

27. South Africa – Unions protest Apartheid; 1980s

28. [Humboldt County loose materials]; undated

29. [California – loose materials]; undated

30. Redwood National Park; 1964-1988

31. REPP; 1977-1981

32. REPP Convoy [to Washington D.C.]; 1977

33. REPP Law/Public Law 95-250; 1978

34. Federal Redwood Coordinating Committee [re:  REPP]; 1978-1979

 

BOX 32

Labor – Harris Files (con’t)

1. Redwood Employee Protection Program (REPP); 1978-1980

2. REPP newspaper clippings; 1978-1984

3. REPP Review Meetings; 1980

4. REPP; Health and Medical, some Noel Harris documents; undated

5. Noel E. Harris’ Pension records/REPP; undated

6. Humboldt Plaza; Union housing project; 1968-1969

7. Housing: Humboldt Plaza, Henderson Village; 1992-1993

8. Lumber Unions newspaper clippings; 1953-1978

9. Prichett, Harold obituary; 1982

10. Trade Union Rank and File movement; [Helen Lima letters]; 1972-1976

11. California State Council Lumber and Sawmill Workers; 1967-1980

12. Western Council LPIW; Northwestern Council; 1955-1980

13. “Lumber World”, “Lumber Worker” of People’s World; 1955

14. COPE – Committee on Political Election, AFL-CIO; 1964-1995

15. California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; 1969-1988

16. California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; 1978

17. Humboldt Central Labor Council and UC Labor Studies; 1966-1977

18. Right-to-Work Campaign; 1958

19. Collective Bargaining Techniques Conference at UC Berkeley; 1974-1975

20. California Labor Federation Summer School at UC; 1966-1967

21. Pacific Northwest Labor College; 1979-1984

22. “Union Research and Information Service”; Labor Studies; 1951-1954

23. Labor-Management; Landrum-Griffin Act; 1959

24. “The Union Steward” Newsletter for Local 1684 Am. Fed. of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; 1986

25. News-Action Bulletin by Committee for International Support of Trade Union Rights; 7 issues; 1985

26. L-P, PL clippings; 1994-1998

27. Harry Bridges; The Call Bulletin, 1939; 1939-1940

28. Tom Mooney’s Message; California State Industrial Union Council; Labor’s Non-Partisan League of California; 1938

29. Northern California Free Press: The Voice of Organized Labor for Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties; 2 issues; 1940

30. Anti-Red newspaper clippings; 1947

31. Communism in Northern California; Bill Abbay article; 1950

32. Francis Fink, Warehouse Union Local No. 11 “Labor Power” (5 issues); 1970-1973

33. Farmworkers: United Farmworkers Union; 1960s-1970s

34. Songbook:  Keep the Union Singing; UAW Education Department; undated

35. Wirta, Ensi’s “Western Worker” chronological notes; (1 of 5); Ina Harris’ notes re:  all Wirta materials received in 1988; 1932

36. Wirta, Ensi’s “Western Worker” chronological notes; (2 of 5); 1933

37. Wirta, Ensi’s “Western Worker” chronological notes; (3 of 5); 1934

38. Wirta, Ensi’s “Western Worker” chronological notes of July; (4 of 5); 1935

39. Wirta, Ensi’s clippings on Lumber Industry; (5 of 5); 1945-1968

40. California Redwood Association Publications; Lumber Letter 1-10; “General Characteristics of  Redwood”

 

BOX 33

Labor – Strikes 

Noel Harris, as a teenager, was in San Francisco during the 1934 General Strike and was present in Eureka during the 1935 Lumber Strike and police riot.  These were foundational experiences for him.  Over the years Noel was active in preserving the memory of the 1935 Strike and the participants who lost their lives.  Also included are files on other strikes in the Humboldt County lumber industry from 1946-1983.  

1. Paper on 1919 Timber Workers Strike against Hammond Lumber Co. by David Raymond; 1993

2. San Francisco Strike; “Western Worker”; 1934

3. San Francisco Strike; Humboldt County newspapers; 1934

4. San Francisco Strike; San Francisco newspapers; 1934

5. Eureka Strike; 1935

6. Eureka Strike; notes, clippings, I.L.D. Statement, letter from Ensi Wirta; 1935

7. Strike notes, Noel Harris; 1935?

8. Letters protesting killings and arrests; Kaarte-Edlund Branch of I.L.D.; clippings on Edlund Funeral; 1935

9. St. Peter, Clara, Memoir about 1935 Strike; 1935

10. Lima, Albert J., Letter to LaFollette Investigating Committee about 1935 Strike; 1938

11. 1935 Eureka Strike Remembered:  1960, 1983, 1995, Noel Harris’ 1983 Speech, 1995 Letter; 1960-1995

12. Plaque Commemorating 1935 Strike at Bayshore Mall; 1991-1995

13. “The Holmes-Eureka Massacre” article in Humboldt Historian; about 1935 Strike; 1995

14. 1946 Lumber Strike; 1946-1948

15. 1954 Lumber Strike; 1954

16. M and M Strike, Lumber; 1955

17. Georgia-Pacific Strike; 1962

18. 1963 Lumber Workers Strike; 1963

19. Simpson Strike; 1965

20. Humboldt County Employees Assoc.; 1967-1968

21. Western Pulp and Paper Workers Strike; 1969

22. Paper: “Eureka Massacre: ’35 Lumber Strike” by Robert M. Peterson; 1970s

23. Longshore Strike; Support and Donation; 1972

24. Simpson-Fairhaven; 1975

25. Simpson-Mad River; “Roundtable” material; 1979

26. L-P Strike; “Bitter Harvest” by John Ross; 1983

Subjects

The items in this series emerged from many parts of the original boxing up of the collection and from things selected from the Binders and the Chronological categories.  Included, under Travel, are itineraries from the USSR trips (1971, 1981, 1982, 1986) taken by Ina and Noel.  Also included are Ina’s notes taken during the trips.

27. Affirmative Action; 1970s-1995

28. Amity Birthday Club; 1976-1989

29. Black Bear Commune; Richard and Elsa Marley; Trinity-Siskiyou Wilderness; 1960s-2010

30. Bombing – Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney; 1990

31. Center for California Studies; 1992 California Studies Conference IV; 1991-1992

32. Clarke Memorial Museum, Eureka CA; 3 papers, 1 by Bob Birdsong; 1970s

33. Community Multi-Cultural Education Committee; 1970s

34. Deer-Lick Springs Resort; article by Vivian Larson Zeigler, photos, notes to Noel and Ina Harris; undated

35. Sue Deshais’ drawings for calendar; Harris’ home, Onstine home; 1975

36. Elderhostel, Las Vegas – University of Nevada; 1994

37. Elderhostel, Squaw Valley Academy; 1990

38. Elderhostel, University of Oregon; 1989

39. Elderhostel, Washington DC; 1992

40. Eureka Freeway Routes; 1967-1968

41. Eureka High School – The Redwood Bark, April 12, 1935; October 3, 1935; April 29, 1936; Letter by N. Harris and Ensi Wirta about Fred Schlenkman’s death; 1935-1936

42. Eureka High School Commencement Exercises; 1936

 

BOX 34

Subjects (con’t)

1. Eureka Jr. High School; “Jr. Hi. Log”; 1933

2. Ferry schedule; Coggeshall last schedule for Simpson Plywood Mill; 1971?

3. Fields Landing – “Clam Shell”, October 1936; Eureka Jr. High School, March 1933, and November 1930; 1930-1936

4. Fields Landing Whaling Station; Writing the book “The Town That Had Enough”, by N Harris and L. Coleman; undated

5. Fields Landing Whaling Station; Background photographs for “The Town That Had Enough”

6. Fields Landing Whaling Station; Agreement – San Francisco Sea Products and Eureka and Fields Landing Canner’s Worker’s Union; 1940

7. Fields Landing Whaling Station; Transcript of 1997 interview with Noel Harris; undated

8. Fields Landing Whaling Station; Background information for “The Town That Had Enough”

9. Forestry/Logging in Humboldt County; Ru-Flo Harper Lee’s “Report and Request of Eureka City Council……..”; 1968

10. General Hospital – Skilled Nursing Facility; Employee’s Union Letter; 1980

11. General Relief, Humboldt County; 1997-2000

12. Grace, Stephen/Playwright, Poet, Composer [Los Angeles]; 1982

13. Health – American Health Security Act; 1993

14. Heino, John; Northcoast Guardian of the Environment; Citizens for Feasible Water Supply Planning; Citizens Clean Air and Water Assn.; Informative – Educational Committee; Humboldt County Natural Resources Assn.; Citizen’s Air Sanitation Committee; Conference on Free Hot Lunch Program; 1957-1973

15. Homeless, Mitchel-Redner Center, Multiple Assistance Center, Humboldt County Coalition for Food and Housing; 1989-2011

16. Honoring Women/Humboldt Women For Shelter; Ina Harris honored; 1992; 1991-1995

17. Hope Coalition; 1999

18. Human Rights Commission, Humboldt County; Ina Harris member in 1970s and 1980s; 1971- 1987

19. Humboldt County Historical Society; Board of Directors materials; 1998-2005

20. Humboldt County Indians; Klamath River; Indian Island; 1950-1970

21. Humboldt County Library, Humboldt Room; 1990s

22. Humboldt Social Action “Forum”; 1988 Campaign, Mandela and A.N.C.; 1980-1990

23. Humboldt State University; 1930s-1960s and undated

24. Humboldt State University Newsprint/clippings; 1930s-1960s

25. Humboldt State University; Forum, 6 issues; 1961-1962

26. Humboldt State University; 1970s-1980s

27. Humboldt State University; 1990s-2000

28. Humboldt Unitarian Fellowship; Noel Harris -President in 1970; 1966-1970

29. Indian Island-Wiyot Tribe; Eureka Resolution 2004-22 Returning part of Island to Wiyot Tribe; photos by I. Harris; 2004

30. Italian Americans during WWII; Stephen Fox’s review, “Unknown Internment”

31. Lima, Albert J. (“Mickie”) and Helen; 1939-2005

 

BOX 35

Subjects (con’t)

1. Live the Dream and Operation Tolerance; 1993-1997

2. Living Biographies; Video History Project; 1998-1999

3. Moore Family, Willa and Elizabeth (“Bunny”); 1970s-2012

4. Moore Family, Reid Foundation, United Indian Health Service; 2005-2009

5. NAACP, Eureka Branch; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; 1961- 1999 and undated

6. NAACP, Eureka Branch; 2000-2014

7. National People’s Campaign; Contract on America; “Pelican Bay Prison Express”, 1 issue; 1995

8. Noyo Hill House; Bartley, Russ and Sylvia; 1992

9. O’Dell Family, Beck Family, Bob O’Dell, Ruth Beck; 1944-2012

10. Payne, Virgil Committee; 1992

11. Petrolia High School; La Frontera; 1995

12. PG & E Nuclear Power Plant; 1956-1972

13. Re-Thinking California’s Public Life; 1992

14. Dr. Wendy Ring; Mobile Medical Office; 2004

15. Samoa Bridge – Humboldt Bay; 1963-1971

16.  Travel – USSR; International Conference of Workers of the Building, Wood and Building Materials Industries; Itinerary, Ina Harris’ notes, passport materials, conference documents; 1971

17. Travel - USSR; Ina Harris’ notes, photos, itinerary; 1981

18. Travel – USSR and Finland; Ina Harris’ notes, correspondence, itinerary; 1982

19. Travel – USSR; Ina Harris’ notes, itinerary; 1986

20. Wagner, Andre and Jack; Anti-Clausen campaign: Voter Choice Initiative, 1974; 1972-1974

21. Water and Rivers, Use, Diversion; 1952-1953

22. Winzler Child Care Center/ Edith Harris; 1944-1958

23. Wirta, Ensi Correspondence; 1060-1967


BOX 36

Ina Harris’ Collection from The Communist Party

The materials in this full box came to the Archivist late in the collection processing.  All the files/items were retained.  Not everything is from the Communist Party or even directly about Communism

1. [Affirmative Action and the Brian Weber Case]; 1978-1979

2. Ali, Mohammad/June 1978/Russia; 1978

3. Anti-Communism; 1978

4. Blacks/Work Folder; 1973-1977

5. Bloor, Ella (“Mother”); 1976

6. Chicano/Mexican American; 1972-1975

7. Chile; 1973-1977

8. Committee for Political Prisoners; 1972

9. [Communist Party USA/Northern California Communist Party; Reports by A.J. (Mickie) Lima (2 reports)]; 1972

10. Communist/USA; 1973-1981

11. Davis, Angela; (1 of 3); 1970-1980?

12. Davis, Angela; (2 of 3); 1970s-1980s?

13. Davis, Angela; (3 of 3); Sermons (3) by James M. Brown to First Presbyterian Church, Eureka CA; 1971

14. Elections; 1972-1976

15. Foner, Phillip S.; 1976

16. [“Humboldt Life & Times” and feedback about racism; several issues of “HL&T”]; 1978

17. Indian Commission; 1977-1979

18. Internationale/French text; 1939

19. Labor School [includes some Southwest Labor Studies Conference materials]; 1967-1979

20. Marx, Karl; [includes material from “Karl Marx Centennial Colloquium” at HSU]; 1977-1983

21. Marxist Study; 1969-1976

22. PW/writers [People’s World]; 1977-1978

23. Red-Baiting/General File [includes Ina Harris’ paper on John Henry Faulks’ Fear on Trial] 1961-1988

24. Robeson, Paul; 1948-1989

25. Sacco and Vanzetti; 1977

26. SCEF/Southern Patriot; [Southern Conference Educational Fund]; 1970-1973

27. Political Prisoners; undated

28. San Quentin 6; undated

29. Senate Bill #1, “Criminal Justice Reform Act of 1975; 1975

30. [South Africa]; 1977-1983

31. Weintraub, Jack; [International Brotherhood of Teamsters]; undated

32. Wilmington 10/1971; 1978-1980

 

Box 37

From the Fireproof, locked file cabinet at Harris Home

The materials in this category came to the Archivist late in the collection processing. 

The Fireproof, locked file cabinet is used to store valuable and memorable, and usually political items.  The wide-ranging topics represented here do relate to items found elsewhere in this collection.  

1. Four flyers from: Communist Party of Eureka, Eureka Branch, Communist Party of the USA; 1 issue of: “Redwood Issues (1945) by Communist Political Association, Humboldt County; Ballot endorsements by Humboldt County Non-Partisan League; 1939?-1945

2. Flyer from: Kaarte-Edlund Branch International Labor Defense; Election flyer issued by Communist Party of California; 1935-1938

3. Communist Party flyers (13, plus copies); includes Party notice for St. Peter’s place, Alameda County Committee Communist Party, USA; STIKE Notice; 1930s-1940s

4. “Historic File”; signed petition protesting Albert (Mickie) Lima’s arrest (Smith Act); Flyer re: Victor R. Jewett and teachers, Communist Party flyers, paper on war, “Memo on the 

Un-Americans”; 1930s-1950s

5. Labors Non-Partisan League of California documents, flyers, letter from Mickie Lima; 1938

6. Lima, Helen and Mickie File; Correspondence, clippings; 1941 Eureka Ballot; 1989 obituary; 1940s-1990

7. Lima, Albert J. Candidate brochures, clippings; Noel Harris’ statement on Lima in 1989; 1939- 1989

8. Lima, Helen – obituary, Celebration of Life documents; 2005

9. Lima, Helen and Mickie; [Lima and Smith Act; Lima obituary, correspondence, Lima election materials; clippings];1930s-1980s

10. HUAC Operation Abolition: May 1960; [1961 ACLU Seminar schedule, list of Harms done by HUAC; publications on HUAC]; 1950s-1961

11. HUAC; /May 10, 1960 [HUAC summons, Harris letter resigning from Union Negotiating Committee and Petition asking for resignation, statement of person who witnessed  police action on May 10, 1960]; 1960

12. HUAC documents; Noel Harris’ 1960 Letter resigning from Union position; Noel Harris’ paper HUAC Summons A Unionist From Redwood Country; 1960-1987

13. STRIKE/ 1935 Holmes-Eureka clippings, commemorative statement; 1982-1995

14. STRIKE 1935/ Mickie Lima’s 1985 papers, Memorial Pin for Kaarte, Edlund, Lampella; 1935- 1985

15. Noel Harris’ Speech for 1987 Humboldt Labor History Project Conference; 1987

16. “Holmes-Eureka”, a Play by Frank Onstine; undated

17. Noel Harris’ notes from Local 2931 and other Union meetings; (2 notebooks); 1960-1961

18. Local 2931 Election tallies when Noel Harris a candidate; 1954-1965

19. Noel Harris’ Paper: Humboldt County Elections: An Account of Elections and a Survey of Election Returns from the Formation of the County to the Present Day along with some Contemporary and Historical Comment on these Events; 1949

20. Noel Harris’ Paper: Some American Left-Wing Forces and the Mobilization of the United States in World War I; 1984

21. Noel Harris’ Paper: The Relationship of Top Labor Leaders to the United States Power Structure from 1900-1924 and After; 1986

22. Noel Harris’ Paper: The October 1986 Summit Meeting in Reykjarik; 1987

Photos

Ina Harris keeps a camera close by and has taken countless photos over the years.  Many of the ones in this section were taken by her or with her camera.  Many of the images are copies from a color printer, rather than being original photographs.   

23. Thomas Jefferson Harris, Edith Wood Harris, John, James, Kathryn, Thomas, Noel Harris, Wood Family sisters, Fields Landing and Eureka Harris homes, Tom’s friend Ray McIntosh, Myrtle Drake, Charlie Krill 

24. 3327 Pine St, Eureka; Harris Home after snow fall

25. Collette Washington, unidentified persons

26. Ina Harris, Jerryl Lynn Rubin at 20th Anniversary of Carol Isaacs and Randy Mayers

27. 9 photos assembled by Rachel Harris; Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Rachel Harris, Lee Bauer, Myrt Barnes; 1921-2002

28. Noel Harris on a motorcycle; 1930?

29. Noel Harris; Eureka High School Graduation photo; 1936

30. Ina Bradford, Larry Bradford, Niels Pearson, Gail Pearson, Leigh Bradford; 1957

31. Bill Young [a Communist], Molly Young notes on importance of Bill Young to Ina and Noel Harris; 1960s

32. Noel Harris, Charis Wilson Harris, Rachel Harris, Anita Harris; 1960s

33. Mixed early photos; Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Leigh Bradford, Marilyn Lipman Gassott, Evelyn Isaacson, Barbara Kaplan; 1970s

34. Marjorie Robinson, Ina Harris, Dave Hardy, Pisilla Smith, Elizabeth Smith, unidentified persons; 1970s

35. Yvonne Crosby; 1970

36. Steve Ruckle, Frank Onstine, unidentified persons; 1973

37. Amity – Christmas – Eureka Inn; Wash[ington] Derby Hat; 1974

38. Betty Dyer’s party; 1976

39. Noel Harris, Tom Harris, John Harris; 1976

40. Noel Harris; 25 Year Simpson Employee; 1976

41. Ina Harris, 1976

42. Niels, Nina, Nicole, Lief Pearson; 1978-1987

43. Ina Harris, Nicole Pearson; 1978

44. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 1980s

45. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Gail Gardner, Victoria Onstine, Paul Kaplan, unidentified persons; 1979-1988

46. Ina Harris; 1980s?

47. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 1980?

48. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 1981?

49. Fort Humboldt, 1935 Strike Dedication; Noel Harris, Richard Khamsi, Victoria Onstine, Mark Shaffer, unidentified persons; 1983

50. At KHSU HSU; Ina Harris, Sharon Fennell, unidentified persons; 1988

51. Noel Harris, Sandra Warshaw; 2000

52. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 1989

53. Noel Harris, unidentified woman at Marina; 1989

54. Ina Harris, Leigh Bradford Hoteck, Nick and Cole Hoteck, unidentified persons; 1990s

55. Ina Harris at HSU-KHSU Studio, Charis Wilson, Phyllis Hilligas, Cole and Leigh Bradford; 

1985-2000

56. Ina Harris, Connie Stewart; 1990s?

57. Terry Friedman, John Woolley, Ann Marie Woolley, unidentified person; 1990s

58. Lauri Gardner; 1994

59. Noel’s 77th Birthday, Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 1996

60. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Cole Hoteck, Leigh Bradford, Norma and Frank Coony; 1997

61. Molly Onstine, unidentified others; 1997

62. Harris’ Wedding Anniversary Celebration; 1997

63. Ina Harris, Nancy Mahoney; 1997-1998

64. Humboldt Unitarian Reunion; 1998

65. Ina Harris, Noel Harris at Rancho Bernardo/Poway, Brenda, Erwin, Rob Tomaries, Tom?, Opal?; 1998

66. Ina Harris; Women’s History Month Display; 1998

67. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 1999

68. Ina Harris, Minnie Tobin; 1999

69. Ina Harris, Victoria Onstine, Gail, Lauri, Esko Gardner in Finland; 1999

70. Jeri Rubin; 2000?

71. Ina Harris, Marge Hill; 2000s?

72. Ann Mendenhall at her 4th of July Display; 2000s?

73. Zanadi-Geth, Ina Harris, marriage reception; Crosby Family and friends; 2000?

74. Gail Gardner, Louise Koskela, 2000s

75. Ina Harris, Jeri Rubin, unidentified children; 2000

76. Ina Harris, Niels Pearson; 2000

77. Ina Harris, Elva Williams, Ruth Brown, Tanya Graham, Jim Howard; at funeral for Myrtle Oneal; 2000

78. Ina Harris, Red Thompson; 2001

79. Ina Harris; 2001

80. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; Tom Murray’s SF apartment; 2001

81. Photo montages; Leigh Bradford, Noel Harris, Rachel Harris, several unidentified persons, Ina Harris; 2001

82. Noel Harris, Rachel Harris, Bruce Hobson, Charis Wilson, Leigh Bradford, unidentified persons; 2001

 

BOX 38

Photos (con’t)

1. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; in Santa Cruz; 2001

2. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 2001

3. Ruth  ? , Frank  ?, Frank and Norma Coony, Maurice  ?; 2002

4. Noel Harris, 2002

5. Thanksgiving Day; Noel Harris, Diana, Wally and Anna Marcia Cooper, Lucrecia Olson; 2002

6. Dan Cornford, Noel Harris, Frank Onstine; 2002

7. In Eureka and Oceanside, CA; Noel Harris, Ina Harris, Tom Harris, John Harris

8. Noel Harris at Mad River Adult Day Health; 2014?

9. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, 3 unidentified women; 2002

10. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 2004

11. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 2003

12. Ina Harris; 2003

13. Ina Harris at home by Family Room bookcase; 2003

14. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; Noel Harris’ 85th Birthday; 2003

15. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Roy Clement; 2003

16. Ina Harris’ 3 children: Niels, Gail, Leigh; July 12, 2003

17. Rank and File Family Reunion; Noel Harris, Joan and Jim McEchron, Terry Wright, Charlie Vader, Willa Moore, Frank Onstine, Maggie and Mark Shaffer, Elizabeth “Bunny” Westbrook, Lesa Coleman, Sarah Westbrook, Fred and Sylvia Vader, Judy Coyle, Hannah Westbrook; 2004

18. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Sylvia Bartley, Russ Bartley, Mark Shaffer; 2004

19. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Olenda Findley, Jeri Rubin, attendees at funeral for “Skip” O’Dell Menniweathers, Melanie Kuhnel, Leslie Lollich; 2004

20. Wedding of Wendy Ring and Michael Shapiro; many unidentified persons, Ina Harris; 2004

21. Junie Mattice (Tolowa) at Clarke Historical Museum; 2004

22. Charis Wilson’s 90th Birthday Party; Charis Wilson, Noel Harris, Ina Harris, Niels Pearson, Jeff Besson, Nikki Besson, Lief Pearson, Phyllis Hilligas, Rachel Harris, Janet McMahon, Lesa Coleman, Bonnie Dankert, Helen McKinley, Roberta Malloy, Tamsen Wilson, Doug Bradford; 2004

23. Ina’s Iowa Visit; Ina Harris, Leigh Bradford, Cole Bradford; 2004

24. Alison Onstine’s “Chicken coop” apartment; Ina Harris, Victoria Onstine, Alison Onstine; 2004

25. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Phyllis Hilligas; HSU Alumni Awards; P. Hilligas’ Party; 2004

26. Noel Harris wearing caps; Veterans For Peace, Cowpens ship; 2005

27. Ina Harris, Zukenya Zawadi (Dora “Dorabelle” Crockett; 2005

28. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; 2005

29. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Maggie Shaffer, Mark Shaffer, unidentified person; 2005

30. Ina Harris; passport photo; 2005

31. Noel Harris; 2005

32. Joe Stroud, Charis Wilson, Helen McKinley, Lori Perry, Helen and Dennis Tomura, Ellen Scott; 2006 

33. Ina Harris, Kay Escarda, Lenny Escarda, Escarda Family; 2006

34. Ina Harris, Noel Harris; at Peter and Nancy Lavallee’s Wedding Reception; 2006

35. Ina Harris, Horse Stonewalker; 2006

36. Ina Harris on her 83rd Birthday, Jan. 29, 2006

37. Noel Harris, Bruce Hobson, Sarai Hobson, Jimmy Hobson, Ina Harris; 2006

38. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Kay Escarda, Lesa Coleman, Jeri Rubin, Bruce Hobson, unidentified others; at Redwood Peace and Justice Award event; 2007

39. Victoria Onstine, Jerryl Lynn Rubin, Bruce Hobson; 2007

40. Nathan and Pisila Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Donna Landry, unidentified persons; 2008

41. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Niels Pearson, Victoria Onstine, unidentified persons; 2010

42. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Lesa Coleman, Rachel Harris, Bruce Hobson; 2010

43. Ina Harris, Noel Harris, James January, Candice Washington; 2011

44. Ina’s Birthday; Ina Harris, Noel Harris, Don Butler, Edie Butler, Mark Shaffer, Maggie Shaffer, John Onstine, Kris Onstine, Frank Onstine, Lesa Coleman, Victoria Onstine, Corinne Frugoni, unidentified others; 2012

45. Gail Pearson [Gardner], Esco Gardner, Ida [Gardner]; 2012

46. Noel Harris, Patrick Moran; 2012

47. Ina Harris, Noel Harris delivering flowers to Women In Black participants; 2012

48. Peace Activist Re-Union; Frank Onstine, Elizabeth “Bunny” Westbrook, Willa Moore, Charlie Vader, Terry Wright, Judy Coyle, Noel Harris, Victoria Onstine; 2014

CD; DVD and Thumb drive; SDHC card and photo prints

Special events:  2007 event honoring Ina and Noel Harris by the Redwood Peace and Justice Center; 2017 Celebration of the Life of Noel Harris; and snapshots of the items on the walls of the Harris Home.

DVD, CD and Thumb drive

49. Noel Harris’ Life Celebration – October 2017 (Thumb drive); Noel Harris’ 90th Birthday and  Fields Landing (DVD); 2008-2017; Ina and Noel Harris honored by Redwood Peach and Justice Center, 2007, 39 photos (CD)

Disk – SDHC card and photo prints

50. 90 Images from Harris Home; Art on walls

Tapes – VHS

Living Biographies interview (unedited) with Noel Harris. Two days of taping the 1995 Southwest Labor Studies Association Conference.

51. Noel Harris, unedited interview for Living Biographies (1 Hr, 12 Min)/KEET TV; 2000?

52. Southwest Labor Studies Assn. Conference, Day 1 Tapes 1 and 2; 1995

53. Southwest Labor Studies Assn. Conference, Day 2 Tapes 1 and 2; 1995

Tapes – Audio

Tapes pertaining to Labor History; and 10 tapes from the Harris’ sponsored “Decades Revisited” meetings held in 1984-1985.  In 1984 Noel and Ina Harris initiated a series of potluck gatherings at their home.  The older persons presented their memories of what had happened to them and to the nation starting with the 1920s.  Over the next several months they met and ended up with the 1960s.  By the end of the sessions the younger persons attending were also sharing their recollections and the meaning of certain events had for them.  See names of participants in Container List: Box 38, File 55.

54. Ray Peart, Al Gruhn; Labor in Humboldt County; 2 tapes; 1983-1985

55. Decades Revisited; 10 tapes; with Noel Harris, Ina Harris, Bill Landis, Violan, Porter Chaffee, Herb Hewitt, Len Swerdlow, Mark Shaffer, Maggie Shaffer, Claire Courtney, Aaron Siggson; 

Younger Generation:  Jerryl Lynn Rubin, Sharon Fennell, Michael Fennell, Bruce Siggson, Susan Kandel, Andrea Tarantino, Ron Quaccia, Mike Dabell, Eric Fried; 1984-1985

56. Humboldt Labor History Project Presentations, Nov. 21, 1987; 4 tapes; 1987

 

BOX 39

Tapes – Audio (con’t)

1. Wood Family, Harris Family; 7 original and 7 copy tapes.  In front section of black tape box; 1960s-1990s

2. Noel Harris’ Interview, 4 tapes; Ina Harris interview, 1 tape; Transcript of 3/17/1997 Interview with Noel.  Tapes are in mid-section of black tape box; /Nedra Johnson, interviewer; 1997

3. Humboldt County History, 8 tapes.  In back section of black tape box. 1980s-1990s

4. Jesse Jackson for President Campaigns:  Humboldt County events; recordings of news; 4 tapes.  In mid-section of black tape box.  1984-1988

5. 30th Wedding Anniversary Celebration; Dec. 27, 1997; 1 tape, 1 CD.  Tape in mid-section of black tape box.  1997

6. KHSU; Honor Roll Mention Awards for Ina Harris, etc.; 1988

7. KHSU; Labor USA, Through The Eyes of Women; Ina Harris’ scripts, notes, KHSU internal documents; 1883-1990

8. KHSU; Through The Eyes of Women; 23 tapes; 1985-1997s

 

BOX 40

Newspapers

Most of these materials came to the Archivist late in the collection processing.  In selecting samples from the large quantity of newsprint materials (that would not fit in the 40 cu fit limitation for the collection) Northwest California materials were given strong preference, next other West Coast titles were selected, and then rarer titles were selected.  

1. “The Redwood Bark”; Eureka High School Student Body; Eureka, CA; 1933-1936

2. “Redwood Empire Labor Journal”: Official Publication for All American Federation of Labor Unions in Northwestern California; Eureka, CA; 1947-1964

3. “California Lumber Worker”; Official publication Redwood District Council of Lumber Workers AFL-CIO; Eureka, CA; 1956

4. “Lumber Worker”: The Force of Unity Conquers All; People’s Daily World; Northwest Bureau; Seattle, WA; 1955

5. “Independent Socialist”:  Monthly Magazine of the Independent Socialist Clubs of America; Berkeley, CA; 1969

6. “The Freedom Socialist”; Freedom Socialist Party; Seattle, WA; 1980

7. “The People”; published by the Socialist Labor Party; Palo Alto, CA 1983

8. “News For A People’s World”: Reporting for Social Change in Northern California; Pacific Publishing Foundation; San Francisco, CA; `993-1996 

9. “The Worker” by Publishers New Press, New York, NY; 1956-1965

10. “Union Wage”: A Working Woman’s Newspaper; San Francisco, CA; 1977-1982

11. “The WREE-View”: Bi-monthly Bulletin of Women for Racial and Economic Equality; New York, NY; 1977-1986

 

BOX 41 (15”x19”x1.5” box size)

Oversize Photos and Prints

Notable in this section is a photograph of Ina Harris and Ruth Mountaingrove taken for their birthday party celebrating their 80th birthdays in 2003. 

1. Photo of Ina Harris and Ruth Moutaingrove for their birthday party; 2003

2. Lampella Election poster, (with photo); for California Assembly; 1950

3. Union “NOTICES” card; A.F.L. 8; Hammond Lumber Company; undated

4. Benefit event poster for L-P Strikers; Environmentalists for Labor; 2 posters; 1983

5. Ina Harris’ hand-made poster: “Promote Domestic Partners Rights”; comments on legislation on verso; 1994

6. United Farmworkers Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO 1971 calendar; History of Farmworkers Struggle; 1971

Bibliography

The Town That Had Enough by Noel Harris and Lesa Coleman; A Noyo Hill House Publication, 2014.

Related Collections

At Humboldt County Historical Society

  • Amity Birthday Club Collection; donated by Ina Harris; 1992.44
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Collection; donated by Ina and Noel Harris; 1996.03 and 2002.208
  • [Jesse Jackson's 1988 Presidential Bid and other materials relating to social and political activism] donated by Ina Harris; 2006.186. This donation was split up. Folder 15 holds personal items relating to Ina and Noel Harris and their families.
  • Humboldt County Labor Collection; donated by Ina Harris; 3 cu ft. (no collection number assigned)

At Cal Poly Humboldt Library, Special Collections

  • 1935 Labor Strike Collection (not yet processed). This Collection is fully described in Organize!: The Great Lumber Strike of Humboldt County 1935 by Frank Onstine and Rachel Harris; Lychgate Press, 2019.
  • Redwood District Council – Lumber and Sawmill Workers Collection (HUMBCO HD6515 L92 H95) This collection includes 3 cu ft donated by Ina and Noel Harris (p. 170 in Collection Inventory)
  • Mitchel Redner Homeless Collection, 7 cu ft, (not yet processed). Covers 1980s and 1990s
  • Ina Harris' Labor Files Collection, 9 cu ft, (not yet processed)

 

Subject Headings

  • Communism
  • Humboldt County (Calif.) - Politics and government
  • Humboldt County (Calif.) - Social conditions - 20th century
  • Labor - California - Humboldt County - History
  • Lumbermen - Labor Unions - California - Humboldt County
  • Sawmill workers - Labor unions - California - Humboldt County - History