Valley Center History Museum receives Salomon papers

VALLEY CENTER, California (Press Release)—The personal papers of former United Nations Ambassador Irving Salomon, who lived much of his life as a diplomat, rancher and philanthropist in this northern San Diego County community, have been donated by his family to the Valley Center Historical Society which has established the Salomon Archive.

Hundreds of documents, letters, photographs and memorabilia will be housed in a permanent archive at the Valley Center History Museum, and will be available for use by historians, scholars and researchers, said Museum President William Hutchings.

“We are fortunate that Colonel Salomon and his family retained documents spanning some 75 years, and are honored that they selected Valley Center to house this remarkable collection,” said Hutchings.  Most of the material had been in care of Col. Salomon’s daughter, former San Diego City Councilmember Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz, who grew up in Valley Center. 

Col. Salomon retired in 1945 after a successful career a Midwestern industrialist, and moved to Valley Center where he bought a 2,300-acre ranch and began a new life as a rancher raising prize-winning Herefords, Hampshires and quarter horses.

It was as a diplomat, however, that Salomon earned an international reputation. He accepted an appointment from President Eisenhower to become a member of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations where he held rank as Ambassador.  He served the U.N. in a host of other capacities and, at one time, was given the rank of Under-Secretary.  Until shortly before his death in 1979 at age 81, he had traveled worldwide as a United Nations representative and as a U.S. State Department emissary on worldwide missions.

During his tenure with the U.N. Col. Salomon worked with dozens of world class leaders and often invited them to visit his Valley Center ranch.  First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and President Eisenhower were among many who were hosted by Salomon and his wife, Cecile.  Motion picture celebrities would often join the family at their home.

Widely respected as a humanitarian and philanthropist, Salomon was honored in 1972 by Pope Paul VI for distinguished and notable achievements. It marked the first time that a Pope had conferred Knighthood on a layman of the Jewish faith.

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Preceding provided by the Valley Center History Museum