| The Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History was established in 1971. Its activities are endowed by a bequest from Eva Sourisseau who wished to honor the memory of her father, Felix Sourisseau, a pioneer to Santa Clara County in 1849. A native of Bordeaux, France, Felix and his father came to California in 1846, engaging in the mercantile business in San Francisco, Chili, and Marysville before settling in San Jose in 1849. Felix was a pioneer gunsmith and a hotel owner, becoming a dominant figure in the business life of the community. He died in 1909, leaving a large estate to be managed by his seven children. The youngest of the family, Eva successfully followed her father's footsteps into the world of business.
The mission of the Academy is to promote local history through sponsoring research, educational programs, and publication. The Academy awards several small grants each semester to further scholarly research by graduate students and individuals in the historical community. We are actively engaged in the rescue of endangered archival documents and act as a clearing house for the placement of archival collections in appropriate repositories. The Academy maintains a small archives of documents and historical photographs. We also provide a variety of outreach services.
The Sourisseau Academy is governed by a board of trustees drawn in part from the faculty of San Jose State University and from the community. The staff consists of the executive secretary and the archivist.
2007-2008 Board of Directors
Stan Underdal, Director
SJSU History Department
Jack Douglas
SJSU Library, Emeritus
Rick Helin
Santa Clara County Pioneers
Paula Jabloner
Archivist, Computer History Museum
Bob Johnson
California Room, King Library, Emeritus
Glen Gendzel
SJSU History Department
Thomas Layton
SJSU Anthropology Department, Emeritus
Franklin Maggi
Community Historian
Margo McBane
SJSU History Department
Danelle Moon
King Library, Special Collections
Jim Reed
Archivist, History San Jose
Beth Wyman
Community Historian
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