Peterson, Harry C. (Harry Claude), 1876-1941

Peterson, born in Iowa in 1876, was curator of the Stanford Museum from 1900-1917; after leaving Stanford, he directed the Sutter's Fort Museum in Sacramento.

Harry Claude Peterson was born in Algona, Iowa, in 1876, son of Julius E. Peterson, a Norwegian mechanician. Leland Stanford had learned of the elder Peterson in Europe and brought him to Stanford University to teach machine shop. Young Harry was educated in public schools in Algona and Palo Alto. He was in the photographic business in Palo Alto for a time. He married in 1902 and had one son, Austin Peterson. Named the Director and Curator of the Stanford University Museum in 1899, he remained there until 1918, adding collections to the Museum and writing historical papers. During his residence in Palo Alto, he served on the city council for eight years. After leaving the Stanford Museum he was head of field research for the California History Department of the California State Library for three years. In 1925, he was named curator of Sutter's Fort Museum in Sacramento, California.

Director of Stanford University Museum for 16 years. Also Director of California Historical Landmarks League and Vice-president of Exactus Photo.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Peterson, born in Iowa in 1876, was curator of the Stanford Museum from 1900-1917; after leaving Stanford, he directed the Sutter's Fort Museum in Sacramento.

Biography

Harry Claude Peterson never met a historical fact or artifact that he didn't like. The inveterate historian spent his entire adult life in one position after another related to history, particularly California Gold Rush Days.

Harry was born in Algona, Iowa, in 1876, son of Julius E. Peterson, a Norwegian mechanician. Leland Stanford had learned of the elder Peterson in Europe and brought him to Stanford University to teach Machine Shop Practices. Young Harry was educated in public schools in Algona and Palo Alto, California. He was in the photographic business in Palo Alto for a time. He was married in 1902 and had one son, Austin Peterson.

Harry was named Director and Curator of the Stanford University Museum of Fine Arts (now the Cantor Center) in 1899, where he remained until 1918, adding collections to the Museum and writing historical papers. He also acquired his own collection of historical books and documents while serving as Curator. During his residence in Palo Alto, he served on the city counsel for eight years.

Harry's next endeavor was as head of Field Research for the California History Department of the California State Library. He remained in that position for three years, and then joined the Oakland Tribune as feature writer of California history for the paper, for another three years. In 1925, he was named Curator of Sutter's Fort Museum in Sacramento, California, and became a charter member of the American Association of Museums.

Harry Peterson's credits are many, from over three hundred published stories and speeches and countless photographs concerning California History, many for professional and trade publications and meetings. He was responsible for energizing the public to the historical value of Sutter's Fort. He served on the Southern Pacific Railroad Company's selection committee to identify historical sites along its lines. He also acted as historical consultant on several Hollywood films of the Gold Rush days, such as The Pony Express, The Big Trail, the Fighting Caravan, and Sutter's Gold.. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Golden Empire Centennial in 1939. His energy, exemplified by his many activities, appeared to be unstoppable, but Harry Peterson died suddenly of a heart attack, in his office at Sutter's Fort, in 1941. His series of articles on the Gold Rush for the Oakland Tribune were collected in book form, The 49er, published posthumously by the Doubleday Company in 1949.

History of Company

Established in 1914, the Exactus Photo-Film Corporation and the Palo Alto Film Corporation were based in Palo Alto, California. They produced educational and historical films for use in the classroom. Harry C. Peterson served on the board of directors and as an officer in both companies as well as curator for Sutter's Fort. Various of his papers are included in this collection.