The online collection of Clara Breed, or “Miss Breed” as she was known by her young library patrons, includes over 250 letters and cards received by Breed from Japanese American children and young adults during their World War II incarceration. The collection also includes articles written by Clara Breed in library journals about Japanese American incarceration, pamphlets collected, a record of books sent to children in camp, and other items. Items in this collection were featured in the exhibition 'Dear Miss Breed: Letters from Camp' at the Japanese American National Museum.

Clara Estelle Breed, known as "Miss Breed" to many, was the children's librarian at San Diego Public Library from 1929 to 1945. When her young Japanese American patrons were forced into concentration camps with their families in 1942, Breed became their reliable correspondent, sending them books, assisting with requests for supplies, and through her actions, serving as a reminder of the possibility for decency and justice in a troubled world. Years later, Breed passed on the collection of letters she received to Elizabeth Kikuchi Yamada, one of the original correspondents. Ms. Yamada, in turn, donated them to the Japanese American National Museum.

.8 linear feet (2 boxes)

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Collections Management and Access Unit at the Japanese American National Museum (collections@janm.org).

By appointment only. Please contact the Collections Management and Access Unit (collections@janm.org). Advanced notice is required.