DIGITAL ARCHIVE

Online publishing of the complete catalog forthcoming in 2026

Historical Note:​

​

Rockhaven was founded in 1923 in Glendale, California, by psychiatric nurse Agnes Mary Richards, R.N. (1883-1967), for the treatment of women living with mental illness. At a time when women’s mental healthcare was often disturbingly misogynistic, Rockhaven was a feminist community run by women, for women, offering innovative care that respected the human dignity of residents for nearly 80 years. 

In 2013, the Friends of Rockhaven was founded as a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Rockhaven Sanitarium, which is now listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Resources and considered as a Place of Women’s Historical Significance.

Biographical Note:​

​

Founder Agnes Richards’ granddaughter Patricia "Pat" Jean Traviss (1931-2023) took over administration of Rockhaven from her grandmother in 1967 and served as Administrator until the sale of Rockhaven in 2001. Traviss implemented beloved Rockhaven programs such as a monthly newsletter and birthday celebrations, an annual Mother’s Day Tea and Easter Hat Parade, as well as field trips and live musical entertainment, including regulars the Del Rubio Triplets. Additionally, Traviss drew on her former career as an interior decorator to bring elegance to Rockhaven with cozy, cheerful decor and fresh floral arrangements.

Notable residents of Rockhaven include:​​​

​

• Gladys (Monroe) Baker, mother of film actor Marilyn Monroe

• Mary William “Billie” Burke, Broadway and film actor known for playing Glinda in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)

• Francizka Clark, Women’s Airforce Service Pilot during World War II and market analyst for the San Francisco Chronicle

• Josephine Dillon, acting instructor and former wife of actor Clark Gable

• Mary Florence “Babe” Egan, musician and leader of all-female band The Hollywood Redheads

• Betty Jane Fairley, governess to President Reagan’s children and the first female Los Angeles school bus driver

• Peggy Fears, Broadway/Ziegfield Follies actor and producer and influential booster of Fire Island

• Ada (Armstrong) Jones, mother of musician and bandleader Spike Jones

• Dr. M. Louise Jung, one of the first female graduates of UCLA Dental School 

• Gwen Lee, stage and silent film actor

• Marion (Stadler) Rose, Vaudeville performer who appeared in film musicals

• Tamaye Ishida Shigematsu, Los Angeles native who was incarcerated at Manzanar internment camp during World War II

• Dorothy (George) Springer, Works Project Administration photographer who documented the Pit River Tribe of Northern California

• Edith (Keyser) White, truant officer and one of the first Black staff members in Los Angeles schools

• Bernice Zurbach, delegate for United Nations Decade for Women and state president and national board member of League of Women Voters​​

Acquisition:​

Donated to Friends of Rockhaven by Patricia Traviss and her nephew Nicholas Traviss in 2021-2022.

Subject Headings:​

• Women--Institutional care; Women--Mental health

• Mental health--Treatment; Mental health facilities

• Psychiatric hospitals; Sanitariums

• Mental illness; People with a mental illness

Related Collections:

Friends of Rockhaven archives (collection guides forthcoming in 2026):​

• Ivan Cole Collection

• Florence Covert Collection

• Dr. Richard Doyle Collection

• Friends of Rockhaven Collection

External collections:

• Rockhaven Collection, Glendale Central Library, Glendale, California USA​​

​The Patricia Traviss Collection consists of:

• Photographs (including albums, black-and-white prints, color prints, Polaroids, negatives, and custom 3-D/stereoscopic View-Master reels and viewer)

• Scrapbooks (containing photographs, newspaper clippings, ephemera, and correspondence)

• Newsletters (including original page layout photo collages and published photocopies)

• Correspondence (including congratulatory letters and discussion of conservatorship)

• Manuscripts (including resident wills and speech script)

• Newspaper clippings (including stories about Rockhaven residents and staff)

• Ephemera (including brochures, stationery, event invitations and programs, flyer, and memorial cards)

• Artwork (depicting Rockhaven grounds, residents, and staff)

• Medical certificates and licenses

• Commendations and awards (including plaques, framed proclamations, and crystal award)

• Property records (including insurance valuations/appraisals and escrow and sale records)

• Administrative documents (domestic corporation status certificate, maintenance records, paid bills, financial reports, inventories, and estate documents)

• Audio cassette recording

​​

Materials unrelated to Rockhaven Sanitarium acquired with the collection:​​

• Box of photographs depicting Patricia Traviss’ home, family, meals with friends, party at La Cañada Country Club 

• Property records for 954 Inverness Avenue, home of Patricia Traviss

• Smith Barney investment statements

• Vehicle registration for Patricia Traviss

• Medical documents relating to home health care for Patricia Traviss

• Photo postcard of bridge to Student Activity Center at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge, California, funded by Patricia Traviss

• Documentation for donor tiles at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, purchased by Patricia Traviss

• Appraisal for “The Concert” watercolor painting by Guiseppe Signorini, purchased by Agnes Richards

• Documents relating to Patricia Traviss’ poodle Chi Chi, including purebred papers and spay certificate

• Prayer card from Sacred Heart Southern Missions, Walls, Mississippi​​

Access:

• Collection is open by appointment and available for research use or exhibition loan. Some restrictions may apply due to physical condition of materials or privacy concerns.

Rights:

• Copyright for materials created by Patricia Traviss has been assigned to Friends of Rockhaven; materials not created by Traviss may still be under copyright.

Preferred Citation:

• Patricia Traviss Collection, Friends of Rockhaven

BOX 1: Newsletters (1983-2001)

​

• Folders 1-18: Published, comb-bound annual volumes of photocopied Rockhaven newsletters, “News and Notes from the San Scribes,” 1983-2000

• Folder 19:  Published photocopies of the Rockhaven newsletter, “News and Notes from the San Scribes,” 2001

• Folder 20: Photo collage page layouts for the Rockhaven newsletter, “News and Notes from the San Scribes,” 1983-2001

​

BOX 2: Ephemera and Correspondence (circa 1930-2006)

• Folder 21:

  • Brochures for Rockhaven, circa 1930-2001

  • Brochure for Rockhaven from after Ararat took over administration, circa 2001-2006

  • "Your Rights as a Resident in a Nursing Home" pamphlet from State of California Department of Health Services, 1995

• Folder 22: Rockhaven stationery including letterhead, billing statement, and envelope, circa 1950-1969

• Folder 23: Notecards featuring illustrations by Patricia Traviss’ brother Robert of Rockhaven administration building, circa 1970-1994

• Folder 24:

  • Mother’s Day Tea invitations, 1972-1985

  • Mother’s Day Tea program, 1983

• Folder 25: 

  • Program for "An Evening with Patricia Traviss Celebrating her 35 Years of Caring Service at Rockhaven” at The Atrium at the Castaway, Burbank, California, 1989

  • Transcript of speech given by Sister Mary Peter (Janet) Traviss, O.P. (Patricia Traviss’ sister), in celebration of Patricia Traviss' 35 years of service to Rockhaven at The Atrium at the Castaway, Burbank, California, 1989

• Folder 26:

  • Invitation to Los Angeles Beautiful awards ceremony honoring Rockhaven, 1966

  • Letter from Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce informing Agnes Richards that Rockhaven will be featured on KTTV Channel 11, 1967

  • Thank-you and congratulatory letter from law office of Frank S. Whiting regarding Rockhaven’s Evening of Roses and Reflections at the Oakmont Country Club, Glendale, California, 1984

• Folder 27: Flyer for pupeteer, balloon sculptress, and clown Lisa O'Brien, who entertained at Rockhaven, circa 1980-1989

• Folder 28: Memorial prayer cards for Agnes Richards, 1967

​

BOX 3: Artwork (circa 1940-2001)

​

• Folder 29: Mixed media drawing of a Rockhaven resident at Christmas, circa 1940-1989 

• Folder 30: Watercolor painting of Rockhaven administration building by Janet Olenik, a.k.a. Janet Seckman, Rockhaven's Lifelong Learning Seminar Instructor, 2001 

• Folder 31: Watercolor paintings on postcards of Rockhaven administration buildling by Janet Olenik, a.k.a. Janet Seckman, Rockhaven's Lifelong Learning Seminar Instructor, 1998-2000

• Folder 32: Inkjet print of photograph of painted portrait (circa 1950-1964) of Agnes Richards by Orpha Klinker, 2007

​

BOX 4: Certificates and Licenses (1922-1980)

​

• Folder 33: California State Board of Health nursing certificate issued to Agnes Richards, 1922

• Folder 34: State of California Department of Institutions licenses for Rockhaven, 1925-1931

• Folder 35: California nursing home administrator license issued to Patricia Traviss, 1972

• Folder 36: American College nursing home certificate issued to Patricia Traviss, 1980

​

BOX 5: Awards and Commendations (1964-2019)

​

• Metal lifetime membership card for Agnes Richards from Peter Meremblum, President Emeritus, California Junior Symphony Association, 1964

• Congratulatory plaque from the De la Vega Family to Patricia Traviss on the 50th anniversary of Rockhaven, 1973 

• Plaque from Rockhaven staff to Patricia Traviss on her 26th anniversary of service at Rockhaven, 1980

• Plaque with engraved invitation to the Diamond (60th) Anniversary Mother’s Day Tea at Rockhaven, 1983

• Plaque with engraved invitation to Rockhaven's Evening of Roses and Reflections at the Oakmont Country Club, Glendale, California, 1984

• Plaque with engraved invitation to the celebration of Patricia Traviss' 35th anniversary of service at Rockhaven, 1989

• Crystal Award for 40 years of service to Patricia Travis [sic], awarding body unknown, 1994

• Folder 37: 

  • City of Glendale Mayor’s commendation on 60th anniversary of Rockhaven, 1983

  • Framed resolution from California State Assemblyman Patrick Nolan to commemorate the 50th [sic] anniversary of Rockhaven, 1983

  • Siena Award from the Dominican Sisters of San Jose to Patricia Traviss for her service at Rockhaven, 1983

  • Proclamation by President Ronald Reagan on Mother’s Day, 1983

  • City of Glendale Mayor’s commendation to Patricia Traviss on 75th anniversary of Rockhaven, 1998

  • Congratulatory letter from California State Assemblyman Patrick Nolan to Patricia Traviss for her 35 years of service at Rockhaven, 1989

  • Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors commendation on Patricia Traviss' 35th anniversary of Rockhaven service, 1989

  • City of Glendale Mayor’s proclamation to Patricia Traviss on her 40th anniversary of service at Rockhaven, 1994

  • Certificate from Glendale Beautiful commemorating Altrusa Club's planting of a tree in honor of Patricia Traviss, 2019

​

BOX 6: Residents (circa 1911-2009)

​

• Folder 38: Gladys (Monroe) Baker

  • Grave location card for Otis Monroe, grandfather of Marilyn Monroe, in Rosedale Cemetery, West Adams, Los Angeles, circa 1920-1949

  • Photographic portrait of Marilyn Monroe taken at the Ambassador Hotel by Cecil Beaton, 1956

  • Programs for funeral services for Marilyn Monroe, including eulogy and guest list, and Westwood Memorial Park brochure, 1962

  • Letter regarding conservatorship of Gladys Baker and potential transfer from Rockhaven to Gainesville, Florida, 1965

  • News clippings related to Gladys Baker residing at (and “escaping” from) Rockhaven, 1963-1980

  • Program for 47th anniversary memorial service for Marilyn Monroe, including remarks by Patricia Traviss, and Westwood Memorial Park cemetery brochure, 2009

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss speaking at Marilyn Monroe's 47th anniversary memorial service, 2009

  • News clipping announcing that crypt adjacent to Marilyn Monroe’s is for sale, 2009

• Folder 39: Josephine Dillon 

  • Obituary, 1971

• Folder 40: Harriet Fellner

  • Photographs, circa 1970-1984

  • News clippings, circa 1950-1969

  • 90th birthday invitation, 1979

  • Wills, 1968

  • Memorial card, 1984

• Folder 41: Ada (Armstrong) Jones

  • Childhood and family photographs depicting Spike Jones, circa 1911-1959

• Folder 42: Grace Landis

  • Photographs, circa 1980-1989

  • News clippings, 1982

  • Political flyer, 1982

• Folder 43: Hazel Lee MacNaught

  • Photograph, 1981

• Folder 44: Nedra Salisbury

  • Photographs, 1944-1993

• Folder 45: Caroline Specht 

  • Photographs of 105th birthday party, 1953

  • News clipping, 1953

​

BOX 7: Newspaper Clippings (circa 1930-2022)

​

• Folder 46: 

  • Article lauding Agnes Richards and Rockhaven, circa 1930-1949

  • Article on history of Rockhaven and interview with Patricia Traviss, 1989

  • Newspaper advertisement for Rockhaven featuring Patricia Traviss, circa 1960-1979

  • Article covering the amenities, activities, and famous residents of Rockhaven, 1991

  • Reprint of article on Agnes Richards and Rockhaven receiving the Los Angeles Beautiful award, 1966

  • Announcement that Rockhaven was one of the winners of the Glendale Beautiful award, 1987

  • Thank-you letter to the editor from the daughter of a Rockhaven resident, circa 1950-1969

  • Opinion piece on the drawbacks of the proposed freeway through La Cañada Valley, 1964

• Folder 47:

  • Announcement for the Mothers Day Tea at Rockhaven, 1965

  • Announcement for Easter Sunday plans at Rockhaven and results of Easter hat contest, 1966 

  • Announcement for Bicentennial-themed Mother's Day Tea at Rockhaven, 1976

  • Appreciation luncheon for Rockhaven staff held on Founder's Day (Agnes Richards' birthday), 1987

  • Oktoberfest celebrations at Rockhaven included live music provided by the Martin Sisters and German foods, 1990 

  • Photos and results of the Easter hat contest at Rockhaven, 1991

  • Laminated double-page spread commemorating Rockhaven's 75th anniversary, 1998

  • Patricia Traviss cutting Rockhaven's 75th anniversary cake in the dining room, 1998

• Folder 48:

  • News clippings on sale of Rockhaven property, 2001

  • News clippings on potential adaptive reuse of Rockhaven property, circa 2006-2022

  • News clippings on Friends of Rockhaven activities collected by Patricia Traviss, 2013-2022

• Folder 49:

  • Articles on Agnes Richards’ social and charitable activities, circa 1950-1964

​

BOX 8: Scrapbooks (circa 1930-1987)

​

• Scrapbook containing photographs, news clippings, and ephemera, including collaged 3-dimensional items, 1957-1965 

• Scapbook containing news clippings, ephemera, and photographs, 1964

• Scapbook containing frontispiece with watercolor painting of Rockhaven entrance gate, photographs, news clippings, and ephemera, 1973-1987

• Folder 50: Loose scrapbook pages containing news clippngs and letter from U.S. Representative John McGroarty, circa 1930-1939

• Folder 51: Loose scrapbook pages containing news clippngs relating to Agnes' Richards social and charitable activities, circa 1955

​

BOX 9: Photograph Albums (circa 1965-1999)

​

• Photo album of Rockhaven Diamond (60th) Anniversary event on Mother's Day with event programs, 1983 

• Empty photo album with "Rockhaven's Diamond Anniversary" embossed in metallic foil on cover; pages are still sealed in plastic shrink wrap, 1983 

• Photo album of Rockhaven's Evening of Roses and Reflections event at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, California, 1984

• Photo album of Rockhaven's Evening of Roses and Reflections event at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, California, 1984

• Photo album of Glendale Beautiful awards event and Rockhaven grounds, 1987

• Photo album of Patricia Traviss’ 35-year Rockhaven anniversary event featuring the Del Rubio Triplets at The Atrium at The Castaway in Burbank, California, 1989

• Photo album of Rockhaven grounds and residents for promotional use, circa 1990-1999

• Folder 52: Loose photo album pages with photographs of Rockhaven grounds and activities, Mother’s Day tea invitations, and news clipping, 1965-1966

• Folder 53: Loose scrapbook pages with photographs of Rockhaven grounds, damage from 1971 Sylmar earthquake, staff, and residents, with news clippings, 1966-1973

​

BOX 10: Stereographic Photographs (1954)

​

• Album with personal View-Master reels made for promotional use featuring 3-D/stereographic 35mm color slide photos of Rockhaven grounds, interiors, and residents, 1954

• View-Master 3-D/stereographic viewer

​

BOX 11: Photographs of Agnes Richards (circa 1904-1967)

​

• Folder 54: 

  • Wedding portrait of Agnes Richards and David J. Traviss, 1904

  • Photograph of Agnes Richards and fellow nurses, circa 1904-1919

  • Photograph of Agnes Richards in nursing uniform, circa 1910-1929

• Folder 55:

  • Photographic portraits of Agnes Richards, circa 1917-1967

  • Souvenir Los Angeles Olympic Games photo postcard of Agnes Richards with unidentified woman, 1932

  • Photograph of Agnes Richards with unidentified man at outdoor costume party, circa 1920-1949

  • Studio portrait of Agnes Richards and her 3rd husband, Elmer Hickam, circa 1940-1949

  • Photographs of Agnes Richards, circa 1920-1959

• Folder 56:

  • Photographs of Agnes Richards at California Junior Symphony events, circa 1950-1967

  • Photographs of Agnes Richards at rehearsal and benefit concert with Jack Benny, 1964

  • Photographs of Agnes Richards with friends, including Peter Meremblum, Frances Daingerfield, and Dr. and Mrs. Adams, circa 1940-1967

  • Copy negative of photograph of Dr. and Mrs. Adams, circa 1940-1959

​

BOX 12: Photographs of Patricia Traviss and Janet/Sister Mary Peter Traviss (circa 1928-1999)

​

• Folder 57:

  • Photographic portraits of Patricia Traviss, circa 1940-1983

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss at Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1960-1999

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss with Agnes Richards, circa 1960-1969

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss with her poodle Chi Chi, circa 1971-1989

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss receiving the Siena Award, 1983

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss receiving award for 35 years of Rockhaven service at The Atrium at The Castaway, Burbank, California, 1989

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss’ birthday at Rockhaven, circa 1980-1999

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss’ custom license plate (“ROKHAVN”), circa 1980-1989

• Folder 58:

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss’ sister Janet Traviss (circa 1928-1949)

  • Portrait of Sister Mary Peter Traviss, O.P. (f.k.a. Janet Traviss), circa 1950-1969

​

BOX 13: Photographs of Staff (circa 1940-1989)

​

• Folder 59:

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss and Rockhaven staff at employee appreciation luncheon, 1987

  • Photographs of Rockhaven nurses receiving certificates, circa 1980-1989

  • Photographs of Agnes Richards with Rockhaven staff, circa 1920-1969

• Folder 60:

  • Photographs of Rockhaven staff, including Ivan Cole, Florence Covert, Jeanne Reese, Michiko Gingery, and Robert Conrardy, and Sister Patrick Mary Kearney, O.P., participating in events and activities, circa 1940-1989

​

BOX 14: Photographs of Buildings, Grounds and Interiors (circa 1920-1999)

​

• Folder 61:

  • Photographs of Patricia Traviss during Rockhaven administration building construction project after Sylmar earthquake, 1971

  • Photographs of Rockhaven administration building construction project after Sylmar earthquake, 1971-1972

• Folder 62:

  • Photographs of Rockhaven buildings and grounds, circa 1920-1972

  • Loose album page with photographs of Rockhaven buildings and grounds, circa 1920-1949

  • Hand-tinted black-and-white photographs of Rockhaven grounds, circa 1920-1949

  • Color transparencies of Rockhaven grounds, circa 1960-1971

  • Photograph of prop sign for “McCarthy Childrens Center” in front of Rockhaven for film production, circa 1970-1989

• Folder 63:

  • Copy negative of photograph of Rockhaven interior, circa 1950-1959

  • Photographs of Rockhaven interiors, circa 1950-1999

  • Photographs of booth at Los Angeles County Fair with handicrafts made by Rockhaven residents, circa 1940-1959

BOX 15: Polaroid Photographs (circa 1970-1989)

​

• Polaroid photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1970-1989

​

BOX 16: Activities Photographs (circa 1965-1969)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1965-1969

​

BOX 17: Activities Photographs (circa 1970-1974)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1970-1974

​

BOX 18: Activities Photographs (circa 1975-1979)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1975-1979

​

BOX 19: Activities Photographs (circa 1980-1984)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1980-1984

​

BOX 20: Activities Photographs (circa 1985-1989)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1985-1989

​

BOX 21: Activities Photographs (circa 1990-1994)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1990-1994

​

​

BOX 22: Activities Photographs (circa 1995-2001)

​

• Photographs depicting residents, staff, and volunteers participating in Rockhaven events and activities, circa 1995-2001

​​

​

BOX 23: Property Records and Administrative Documents (circa 1940-2001)

• Folder 64: 

  • State of California certificate of domestic corporation status for Rockhaven, 2001 

  • Draft of National Register of Historic Places registration form for Rockhaven, 2016

• Folder 65:

  • Escrow and maintenance records for Rockhaven and investment properties, 1969-1970

  • Records of paid bills relating to Rockhaven

• Folder 66:

  • Insurance Valuation/Appraisal of Rockhaven, 1940

  • Insurance Valuation/Appraisal of Rockhaven, 1961

  • Insurance Valuation/Appraisal of Rockhaven, 1961

• Folder 67: 

  • Report on Rockhaven audited financial statements by Ararat Home of Los Angeles, 1999

  • Inventory of Rockhaven contents (furnishings, etc.) for Ararat Home of Los Angeles, 2000

  • Sale records for purchase of Rockhaven by Ararat Home of Los Angeles, 2001

• Folder 68:

  • Documents related to the estate of Agnes Richards, circa 1967-1970

  • Insurance valuation/appraisal for 551 Meadow Grove Street, home of Agnes Richards, 1952

  • Property records for 551 Meadow Grove Street, home of Agnes Richards

• Folder 69:

  • Property records for 2716 Honolulu, investment property across the street from Rockhaven purchased by Agnes Richards

  • Property appraisal for 2706, 2716, 2725, and 2729 Honolulu Avenue, 1982

  • Appraisal of trust for Patricia Traviss’ properties, 2001​

​

BOX 24: Audio Recording (circa 1980-1994)

• Audio cassette re-recording of early phonograph records of Peggy Fears songs that Patricia Traviss would play for Fears during her time residing at Rockhaven, circa 1980-1994