MS-32
SHEEPSKIN COMMUNITY CLUB
INTRODUCTION
The collection of the Sheepskin Community Club was accessioned into the Flesh Public Library Archives in December, 1992. The collection has been informally stored at the Flesh Public Library since the 1950’s.
The collection fills two Hollinger boxes and eighteen individual file folders.
The collection covers the years 1916 to 1993.
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection and the literary copyright has been deeded to the public.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS
The Sheepskin Community Club Collection is divided into four series: Member Roster and Minutes of Meetings, History, Financial, and Programs.
SERIES I –MEMBER ROSTER AND MINUTES OF MEETINGS: covers the names and attendance records of members as well as minutes of meetings from 1916 to 1977.
SERIES II –HISTORY: covers a hand-written piece relating to the start of the club, a photo album containing pictures of students at the Sheepskin School, pictures of members at the 60th anniversary of the club and a few newspaper clippings.
SERIES III –FINANCIAL: covers records of cash flow
SERIES IV –PROGRAMS: covers yearly programs from 1928 to 1993. This is complete but for the years 1936-37, 1956-57, 1978-79, 1984-85, 1986-87, and 1987-88.
HISTORY
The Sheepskin Community Club derived its name from the fact that the owner, Ephram Houser, of the land from which the school ground was purchased, raised sheep and nailed the skins to the fence to cure.
In June 1914 a small group of ladies wanted to become better acquainted and they held a meeting at the home of Mrs. Etta Hetzler, on the Statler Road. Organizing a club, they elected Janet Doss, president, and Etta Hetzler, secretary, Members all had children attending school from that district. They met every two weeks at each other’s homes. The hostess served refreshments. Money was raised by giving minstrels and from farm sale dinners.
Charter members included: Eva DeWeese, Janet Doss, Ella Fry, Hazel Fry, Arsina Freeman, Myrtle Hart, Etta Hetzler, Martha Pearson, Bertha Reeder, Marie Statler, and Florence Speelman.
After a few years they expanded into the lower Springcreek Township and the membership grew in numbers.
The first project executed by the original members in 1914 was to refurbish the school their children attended. They cleaned, papered, and varnished the school, put up sash curtains, and worked with the Board of Education to see that the stove wouldn’t smoke out the pupils every time there was a change in wind direction. They continued to purchase things for the school, became Red Cross volunteers during World War II, repaired the chapel at the Knoops Home for Children, as well as tending to needs of the aged, sick, and needy at Christmas.
The club meets monthly (1992) and has a membership of nineteen members in 1992.
CONTAINER LISTING
SERIES I –MEMBER ROSTER AND MINUTES OF MEETINGS
BOX 1
File
1. Member Roster and Meeting Minutes –June 8, 1916-March 17, 1921
2. Member Roster and Meeting Minutes –June 2, 1921-July 7, 1927
3. Member Roster and Meeting Minutes –July 13, 1927-Feb. 26, 1931
4. Member Roster –August 12, 1934-December 1, 1946
5. Member Roster with Obituaries –January 9, 1947-September, 1982
6. Member Roster with Meeting Minutes –June, 1948-September 10, 1959
7. Meeting Minutes –October 8, 1959-March 17, 1977
SERIES II –HISTORY
8. Photo Album -1914-1974
9. 60th Anniversary Celebration –June 13, 1974
Box 2
File
1. Club History
2. Newspaper Clippings
SERIES III –FINANCIAL
3. Treasurer’s Cash Book –Oct. 13, 1934-April 13, 1967
4. Treasurer’s Record –June, 1945-September 9, 1954
5. Bank Books and Check Book
6. Paid Receipts, IRS Employer I.D. Number
SERIES IV –PROGRAMS
7. Program booklets -1928-1949-50
8. Program booklets -1950-51-1969-70
9. Program booklets -1970-71 -1992-93