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3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
Edgewood Women's Club Records Social club, Rhode Island Records, 1903-1993 Size: 2 linear feet Catalog number: MSS 989 Processed by: Eileen Dyer, April 1998 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
The Edgewood Women's Club was founded in Rhode Island in 1903 for the purpose of "mental and social culture, and the promoting of educational, literary, and benevolent objects." The club adopted the motto, "Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm" (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Upon its inception, the club's membership was limited to one hundred members, with an annual "tax" of $1.00. In later years, membership was extended, as was the annual dues. At several times during its existence, the Edgewood Women's Club was a member of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, the Rhode Island Council of Women, and participated as a section of the Needlework Guild of America.
Each year, the club made donations to numerous local and national charitable organizations, and in later years, provided an annual scholarship to be granted to a young woman enrolled at the Rhode Island State College, which was later renamed the University of Rhode Island. During the two World Wars, the club participated in Red Cross activities, sold "war stamps", and supported military and Veterans' functions. Other general club activities included dramatic, comedic, and musical performances, educational lectures and programs, as well as regular outings and dinners.
The club was dissolved in 1993, in its ninetieth year, after a period of decreased participation. In honor of the club's ninetieth anniversary, a formal luncheon was held as the Edgewood Women's Club's final function.
Scope and content:
The collection contains complete set of general meetings minutes records, executive board meetings form 1938 onward, treasurer's ledgers for 1903-1993, other financial records, and annual reports of club officers and committee chairpersons for most years. Other miscellaneous items include: property lists from 1930-1960, items from the club's sixtieth, seventieth, and seventy-fifth anniversary celebrations, various award citations, correspondence, annual programs list from 1956-1960, and several copies of the club "Constitution and Bylaws" for the period 1948-1960.
Provenance:
These records were donated by Betsy Aldrich Garland in 1996.
Processing note:
Some initial organization of this collection was done by Rick Stattler in 1996. When additional processing was done in 1998, the records were found to be in an rather organized state, so most of the original order was maintained. Papers were unfolded, and staples, paper clips, and old tape were removed. For preservation purposes, most newspaper clippings that had been inserted in the General Meeting minutes books (series 1) were removed and photocopied onto archival paper, where they were cross-referenced and labeled. These copies are now located at the back of each folder containing the respective minute book.
Inventory:
Series 1: Minutes, General Meetings
Box 1, folder:
1. Minutes, general meetings, 1903-1907
2. Minutes, general meetings, 1907-1912
3. 1912-1914
4. 1914-1918
5. 1918-1924
6. 1924-1934
7. 1943-1944
8. 1944-1960
9. 1960-1974
10. 1974-1991
11. 1991-1993
Series 2: Minutes, Executive Board
Box 1, folder:
12. Minutes, executive board, 1927-1932
13. 1932-1940
14. 1940-1943
15. 1944-1932
Box 2, folder:
1. 1952-1958
2. 1959-1962
3. 1963-1973
4. 1974-1982
5. 1983-1993
Series 3: Annual Reports
Box 2, folder:
6. Annual reports, 1930/31
7. 1931/32
8. 1945/46
9. 1953/54
10. 1954/55
11. 1955/56
12. 1956/57
13. 1957/58
14. 1958/59
15. 1959/60
16. 1963/64
17. 1964/65
18. 1968/69
19. 1969/70
20. 1970/71
21. 1972/73
22. 1973/74
23. 1974/75
24. Annual reports, 1975/76
25 1976/77
26. 1977/78
27. 1979/80
28. 1980/81
29. 1981/82
30. 1982/83
31. 1983/84
32. 1984/85
33. 1985/86
34. 1986/87
35. 1987/88
36. 1988/89
37. 1990/91
38. 1991/92
39. 1992/93
Series 3: Treasurer's Activities
Box 2, folder:
40. Treasurer's ledger, 1904-1923
41. 1923-1945
42. 1945-1977
43. 1974-1993
44. Treasurer's account book, 1955-1964
45. Treasurer's annual reports, 1945-1957
46. 1977-1993
47. Checking account register, 1967-1970
48. Savings account register, 1989-1993
49. Checking account register, 1990-1993
50. Checking account statements and canceled checks/deposit receipts, 1992-1993
51. Expense receipts, 1992-93
Series 4: Miscellaneous
Box 2, folder:
52. Sixtieth anniversary, 1963
53. Seventieth anniversary, 1973
54. Seventy-fifth anniversary, "Diamond Jubilee," 1978
55. Seventy-fifth anniversary, Diamond Jubilee guest book, 1978
56. Yearly programs, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1959/60
57. Constitution and bylaw, 1944/45, 1948, 1957
58. Membership list, 1974-1993
59. Property list, 1930-1960
60. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1931, 1954-1959, 1961-1974, 1990-1991
61. Awards and citations
62. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1958-1965
Subjects:
Charity organizations - Rhode Island
Cranston, R.I. - Social life and customs
Women - Societies and clubs
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RIHS1822