Historical Club Records, 1895-1979

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Historical Club
Title
Historical Club Records
Dates
1895-1979 (inclusive)
Quantity
5 c.f.
Collection Number
MG073 (collection)
Summary
Secretary's books, treasurer's books, yearbooks, and scrapbooks.
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Historical Club of Moscow was organized by Mrs. C.W . McCurdy in August 1895 under the name Ladies Historical Club; the word "ladies" was dropped in 1906. The original thirty members were primarily interested in history and literature and the first year was devoted to the study of prehistoric America. Current events of a national character were also discussed.

In 1901 the Historical Club and Pleiades Club made plans for a public library in Moscow. Donations from the city, local projects, and a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation financed the building which opened in 1906. For many years the club met in the basement of the library. The club also helped to landscape the city park and furnished some of the equipment. For many years they were in charge of the Arts & Hobbies Department of the Latah County Fair. Each year the club contributes money and equipment to community projects.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The records of the Historical Club span the years 1895 to 1979, with the bulk of the material covering the years 1925-1965.

The material includes secretary's minute books for general and board meetings as well as divisional meetings, treasurer's books, yearbooks, and scrapbooks. There are a few items of correspondence and several citations and plaques from the Camp Fire Girls. Also included are journals and convention programs from the Third District, State, and National Federation of Women's Clubs.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The material in this Manuscript Group divides itself into several distinct series. The first contains the official record books which are sorted by office then arrange chronologically, the departmental secretary's books which are alphabetical by department, then arranged chronologically, and the bound yearbooks which are in chronological order. The scrapbooks, containing newspaper clippings on historical events, club activities, club members, photographs, citations, and memorabilia, including programs, of Idaho Federation of Women's Club meetings, form another series. The remaining club material was placed in a separate series and is foldered by subject. The final series contains the Federation of Women's Club material. Each journal title has its own folder; the convention programs are in chronological order with no distinction being made between district or state conventions.

The book Hits and Bits from Memory was written by an early member of the club, Elizabeth Strong, and was presented to the club by Mattie Sinclair ; for this reason it was retained with the papers in Series II .

Acquisition Information

The records of the Historical Club of Moscow, Idaho, were first donated to the University of Idaho Library by the Club on October 26, 1972. The club adds its yearbooks and scrapbooks periodically.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Record Books , 1895-1978/1979Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1-15
Secretary's Books
15 items
1895-1973
1/16-19
Treasurer's Books
4 items
1925-1972 (lacking 1961-1968
1/20-21
Membership Books
2 items
1925-1946
2/22
Arts & Crafts Secretary's Book
1 item
1927-1934
2/23
Current Events Secretary's Book
1 item
1912-1913
2/24
Home Economics Dept. Secretary's Book
1 item
1906-1914
2/25-27
Home and Garden Dept. Secretary's Book
3 items
1927-1963
2/28-33
Study Department Secretary's Books
6 items
1925-1963
2/34-42
Yearbooks
9 items
1895-1978/1979

Series II. Other Items , 1907-1979Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/43
Photostatic copy of early minutes regarding use of club rooms in the public library
2 items
1907?
2/44
Elizabeth Strong. Hits and Bits From Memory; a Collection of Verse. Los Angeles, DeVorss & Co.
1 item
1940
3/45
Correspondence
7 items
1917-1972
3/46
Resignations
8 items
1959-1967
3/47
Membership Application Cards
108 items
1948-1966
3/48
Committee Reports
19 items
1952-1953
3/49
Christmas Home Lighting Project
1 item
1949
3/50
Latah County Fair Judging
20 items
1951-1953
3/51
McCroskey Park
9 items
1954-1955
3/52-54
Campfire Girls Sponsorship Citations
3 items
1978-1979

Series III. Scrapbooks , 1934/1935-1977/1978Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/55
"Building Freedom With Youth"
1 item
1951-1952
os/56
Poetry Scrapbook
1 item
1935-1946
os/57-66
Club Scrapbooks
10 items
1934/1935-1977/1978

Series IV. National, State, and Regional Federations , 1905-1964Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/67
General - Federation - Clubwoman
1 item
November 1964
3/68
Idaho and Third District Convention Programs
20 items
1905-1960
3/69
The Idaho Clubwoman - See Idaho First Magazine
2 items
1913
3/70
The Idaho Clubwoman
6 items
1965-1972
3/71
Idaho Federation. Yearbooks
2 items
1914-1916; 1950-1952
3/72
Idaho Women's Club Courier
14 items
1951-1954

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Clubs -- Idaho -- Moscow

Geographical Names

  • Moscow (Idaho) -- History -- Sources

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Moscow Historical Club -- Records