Manzanar Collection

Personal correspondence describes living conditions in the camp, including eating in the mess hall and the lack of variety of food. Toda also describes her preparation for work in the Education department and the possibility that a friend [Wilda Johnson] may come to Manzanar to teach. Toda also asks about Salzman's work at Lockheed, saying that she has heard it described as a "women's Paradise"; says that she misses school and WAA [?]; and describes attending meetings almost every night for an acapella choir class.

Personal correspondence describes appreciation for Salzman's visit and gift of comic books; it also mentions hot and dusty conditions at Manzanar.

Personal correspondence mentions a mutual friend's employment "at an aircraft co." and asks about Salzman's work [at Lockheed]; mentions that she is getting ready for school to open and that she is very busy in the Education Department; and states that, because there are "no beds or mattresses for teachers to sleep on" they have been told to stay home pending arrival of furniture. She also states that about 28 teachers who have already arrived are sleeping in barracks on cots, and that some of them are UCLA graduates. She mentions a recent dust storm and that she would like to go home, even if Manzanar "isn't too bad."

Personal correspondence; Nagahama promises to send a subscription of the "Manzanar Free Press" to Salzman as thanks for Salzman doing her a favor.

Personal correspondence mentions their old group of friends ("the gang") and activities; a visit from a lieutenant from the [WAAC'o?] seeking recruits, and that joining may be a possibility should school and job not provide a means by which Toda can leave Manzanar. She also discusses her work "slaving away for the 'educational system'"; Salzman's work as instrument-tester [with Lockheed]; an upcoming Manzanar anniversary celebration ("one year since the first volunteers came to this desert outpost"); and her desire to leave as soon as possible.

Personal correspondence describes Toda's studies at the University of Maryland, where she is majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology, and her work as a stenographer with the Department of Labor; asks about Salzman's class in electrical fundamentals; and discusses mutuel friends.

A letter from Honey Toda to Betty Salzman about Toda's experience in school.

Personal correspondence with illustration of Lake Tahoe sent from Kansas City, Missouri, where Nagahama is set to enroll in the Kansas City National Training School for Christian Workers.

Personal correspondence from Reno, Nevada describes time outside of the camp and the experience of being able to walk on real sidewalks and "breathe the carbon monoxide freely"; Nagahama also mentions that she and her sister are headed next for Kansas City, Missouri.

Photograph of friends posed in front of a car, with the camp police station in the background. Inscription on back of photograph: "Lorraine Paulson, Miriko Nagahama, Honey Toda, Wilda Johnson, Betty Salzman. Photographer Lloyd Linn, Wilda's friend. Manzanar, CA 6-21-42". Accompanying note reads: "The Photo @ Manzanar, 6-21-42: at the entry to the camp. The building in the background has a sign: Police Station. As I recall, at that time that was the only location we could take a picture. Betty Liebscher".

Inscription on back of photograph: "Harry's Murakami Retirement Celebration. June 23, 1985. West L.A. United Methodist Church. Left to right Gary + Peggy* Young, Alan* + Ilene Murakami, Harry + Miri (Nagahama), Gail*, Lowel + Ann* Zweigle, Glenn + Karen* Murakami. Front row Justin Young (3), Connie Zweigle (4). *Harry's + Miri's Offspring."

Photograph of five family members shows Honey Toda in the middle of the back row [with brothers Roy Toda, left, and Akira Toda, right, and parents in front?] Inscription on back of photograph: ""May 1943, Toda family at Manzanar, California"".

Photograph shows Wilda Johnson and Honey Toda leaning against a car, with barracks in the background. Inscription on back of photograph: "Wilda Johnson, visitor + Honey Toda. Sept 1942, Manzanar"

Inscription on front of photograph: "Happy Holidays, From Miri & Harry." Inscription on back of photograph: "MURAKAMI FAMILY REUNION - AUGUST 8-12, 1994 - Mammoth Lakes, CA, (Picture taken at Convict Lake - our favorite fishing lake), A few miles south of Mammoth. From right to left: Ilene (Alan's wife), Justin Young-12, Glenn, Derek, Murakami-8, Karen (Glenn's wife), Ryan Young-6, Peggy, Lowell Zweigle (Ann's husband), Gary Young (Peggy's husband), Randy Zweigle-8, Ann, Gail, Miri-72, Alan, Harry-73 1/2 with golf tournament driver head cover prize. Ilene and Alan from Tomball near Houston, TX.; The Youngs (Gary + Peggy) from Lewisville, TX near Dallas; The Zweigles (Lowell + Ann) from Kent, WA; Glenn, (+Karen) Karen, Derek and Kyle from Torrance, CA; Gail from W. Los Angeles. Special Reunion T-Shirt with Murakami family crest. ?=Harry + Miri Offspring / 2 Sons + 3 Daughters."

Photograph shows the Toda family posing by a car, with a barrack in the background; Henry Toda is holding a shovel. Inscription on back of photograph: "Henry Toda, Father, Honey, Daughter, Akira, Son, (____ )Toda, Mother, Roy, Son. Manzanar, CA, Sept. 1942".

Inscription on front of photograph: "Happy Holidays, From Miri & Harry." Inscription on back of photograph: "MURAKAMI FAMILY REUNION - AUGUST 8-12, 1994 - Mammoth Lakes, CA, (Picture taken at Convict Lake - our favorite fishing lake), A few miles south of Mammoth. From right to left: Ilene (Alan's wife), Justin Young-12, Glenn, Derek, Murakami-8, Karen (Glenn's wife), Ryan Young-6, Peggy, Lowell Zweigle (Ann's husband), Gary Young (Peggy's husband), Randy Zweigle-8, Ann, Gail, Miri-72, Alan, Harry-73 1/2 with golf tournament driver head cover prize. Ilene and Alan from Tomball near Houston, TX.; The Youngs (Gary + Peggy) from Lewisville, TX near Dallas; The Zweigles (Lowell + Ann) from Kent, WA; Glenn, (+Karen) Karen, Derek and Kyle from Torrance, CA; Gail from W. Los Angeles. Special Reunion T-Shirt with Murakami family crest. ?=Harry + Miri Offspring / 2 Sons + 3 Daughters."

Photograph of Roy [Toda?], Honey [Toda], and Akira [Toda?] standing in front of a barrack with a sign reading, "Blk. 17, Bldg. 11." Inscription on back of photograph: "Roy, Honey, Akira, Sept. 1942, Manzanar".

Personal correspondence; illustration shows a girl on skis and winter scenes, and printed text reads, "Nothing can stop me... from wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"; handwritten text reads, "from Manzanar, 1942! Miri Nagahama."