Bessie Bartlett Frankel Collection of Travel and Early Los Angeles Music
Owning Institution: Claremont Colleges Library
About this Collection
Housed in the Ella Strong Denison Library at Scripps College, the Bessie Bartlett Frankel collection features a lifetime of work involving international travel, civic engagement and philanthropic support for the arts in general, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles, and the Historical Society of Southern California. Among the original digital images are: a uniquely edited copy of the Friday Morning Club Annual Report containing rare newspaper clippings, images, biographical material and concert programs associated with artists visiting Los Angeles; historic postcards from Frankel’s travels throughout Europe and North America documenting life prior to WWI and WWII; unique, scenic photographs from travels to Alaska and Mexico (with Los Angeles city officials) during the first decade of the 20th century; photographs of her family life in California; historic WWI pamphlets which are otherwise unavailable online; and an extensive collection of autographed portraits and publicity images of classical musicians from the United States and Europe who performed in Los Angeles, between ca 1910 and 1945.Bessie Bartlett Frankel established the Chamber of Music Series at Scripps College and was a founder of the California Federation of Music Clubs. She was closely involved with arts organizations throughout southern California, such as the Friday Morning Club, the Young’s People Concerts and the Women’s Committee for the Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles. She instituted the Hollywood Community Chorus in memory of her father, Albert Griffith Bartlett, who established the Bartlett Music Store (later known as the Southern California Music Company). In the late 19th century, Albert Bartlett brought to Los Angeles such well-known musicians as Adelina Patti, and Vladimir de Pachmann. Through her club memberships and patronage, Bessie Bartlett Frankel continued in this tradition, supporting concerts by such luminaries as Pablo Casals and Serge Prokofiev. Today, the Pantages Theater stands where the Bartlett Family's home was originally located in Los Angeles. View this collection on the contributor's website.
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