MS-34
THE RESEARCH CLUB COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
The collection of the Research Club was accessioned into the Flesh Public Library Archives in December, 1992. The collection has been informally stored at the library since the 1950’s.
The collection fills three Hollinger boxes and twenty-four individual file folders.
The collection covers the years 1915 to 1981.
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection and the literary copyright has been deeded to the public.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS
The Research Club Collection is divided into four series: Minutes of Meetings, Program, Financial, and Miscellaneous.
SERIES I –MINUTES OF MEETINGS: covers minutes of meetings from 1915 to 1981.
SERIES II –PROGRAMS: covers yearly programs 1915-16 to 1980-81 with the exceptions: 1916-17; 1921-22; 1923-24; 1924-25; 1925-23; 1926-27; 1927-28; 1928-29; 1929-30; 1930-31; 1933-34; 1937-38; 1938-39; 1942-43; 1945-46; 1946-47; 1950-51; 1952-53; 1955-56; 1956-57; 1957-58; 1964-65; and 1967-68. A playlet, “Double Damask” was adapted and presented by members.
SERIES III –FINANCIAL: covers treasurer’s records of 1915 to 1981.
SERIES IV –MISCELLANEOUS: covers the club’s constitution, newspaper clippings, correspondence, a Guest Night Program of 1942, a handwritten history of the club by Frances Priller, a photograph of a 1965 celebration and a scrapbook of the year 1939-40 –six photographs are found in this category.
HISTORY
The Research Club came into existence on January 18, 1915. Twenty-one ladies met at the home of Mrs. Acton Hall to establish a new literary club.
Mrs. Almont Stewart was chosen president; Mrs. Louise Connelly Miller, 1st vice-president; Mrs. Maud Bartlett Root, 2nd vice president; Mrs. Martha Simon Philbrook, recording secretary; Mrs. Freda Kiefer Bowman, assistant recording secretary; Mrs. Minna Carson Hunter, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Marietta Wilson Baldwin, treasurer; Mrs. Daisy Clifton Ditmer, critic; Mrs. Jennie Hunter Lorimer, parliamentarian; Mrs. Louise Russell Fessler, chairman of music. The Program Committee consisted of Chairman, Mrs. Ida McCabe Todd; Mrs. Itilia Sager McCabe; Mrs. Frances Shie Priller, and Mrs. Louise Connelly Miller.
The club’s programs consisted of current events, foreign lands and customs, nature, meteorology, music, theater, art, home life, and travel. Their programs were structured to keep a member’s interest as they were varied and well researched.
The club was generous with their time and money to many local and worldwide causes.
The club disbanded in 1981 and the balance of their treasure purchased books for the Flesh Public Library.
CONTAINER LISTING
SERIES I –MINUTES OF MEETINGS
BOX 1
File
1. Minutes of Meetings –October 4, 1915-May 5, 1916
2. Minutes of Meetings –September 25, 1916-May 12, 1919
3. Minutes of Meetings –October 6, 1919-May 23, 1921
4. Minutes of Meetings –December 19, 1921-May 17, 1926
5. Minutes of Meetings –October 4, 1926-May 5, 1931
6. Minutes of Meetings –October 5, 1931-April 27, 1936
7. Minutes of Meetings –May 25, 1936-May 12, 1941
8. Minutes of Meetings –October 6, 1941-May 13, 1946
9. Minutes of Meetings –October 7, 1946-May 1, 1951
BOX 2
File
1. Minutes of Meetings –October 15, 1951-May 19, 1955
2. Minutes of Meetings –October 10, 1955-May 8, 1961
3. Minutes of Meetings –October 7, 1961-May 13, 1968
4. Minutes of Meetings –October 14, 1968-May 11, 1981
SERIES II –PROGRAMS
File
5. Yearly Programs: 1915-16 – 1943-44
6. Yearly Programs: 1944-45 – 1962-63
BOX 3
File
1. Yearly Programs: 1963-64 – 1980-81
2. Playlet – “Double Damask,” November 22, 1940
SERIES III –FINANCIAL
File
3. Financial Records: 1915 – 1952
4. Financial Records: 1952 – 1981
SERIES IV –MISCELLANEOUS
File
5. Constitution
6. Newspaper Clippings
7. Correspondence
8. Miscellaneous
9. Scrapbook: 1939-40