Ladies Musical Club Records, 1891-2023

Contains standard publicity photographs of the numerous individuals and groups who appeared as guest artists in each annual season of the LMC-sponsored professional concerts that were held in a variety of Seattle theaters beginning in 1901. The majority of the photographs in this series were removed from five albums of photographs collected by Rose Gottstein, who served as the LMC's first concert manager from the inception of the professional artist series in 1901 until her death in 1939. These albums, which were arranged alphabetically by artist, contained photographs of many of the distinguished performers who appeared in the artist recital series. Most of the photographs from these albums were autographed to Mrs. Gottstein. The five albums had been disassembled prior to the current processing of the collection. The present arrangement follows the original order of the photographs in the albums. An autographed photograph of the violinist, Jan Kubelik, is with the oversize materials. The remaining photographs in this series were taken from a group of materials that did not appear on the original accession of LMC records. These items include photographs removed from an album commemorating Adeline Carlson's tenure as concert manager from 1953-1957. These autographed photographs originally were arranged in a chronological sequence, but are now filed alphabetically by artist. Also included in this series is a second set of mostly autographed photographs from Mrs. Carlson's collection, which were found loose in an envelope. These photographs appear to date from Mrs. Carlson's later terms as concert manager (1962-1966). They have been arranged alphabetically by artist. A separate folder of the unsigned photographs taken from this set also has been arranged alphabetically by artist. Other publicity photographs of artists, as well as a few candid performance and post-performance images can also be found in the scrapbooks (Series VI).

Programs have been arranged into two subseries: Artist recitals and members concerts. The artist recital programs cover the annual series of presentations by professional artists that was sponsored by the LMC. The members concerts series programs includes programs for concerts given by members of the LMC in various settings, including club meetings and free public programs. Gaps in the holdings in this series are supplemented by the programs found in the scrapbooks (Series VI).

This series is comprised of official club publications including yearbooks, records of season, prospectuses, by-laws, club directories, and newsletters. The yearbooks (or members' books, as their covers read) were annual publications generally containing a list of officers, sketch of work, concert dates, by-laws, constitution, and member lists. The yearbooks were issued on a biennial basis beginning with the 1932/34 edition.

Both the records of season and the season prospectuses contain announcements to the membership regarding plans for the upcoming season, an outline the work of the club, and a listing of members. The design of the prospectuses, however, appears to reflect a distinct emphasis on the growing prominence of the LMC's rapidly expanding professional artist recital series over what earlier had been an established focus on the activities of the club members themselves in the records of season. Unlike the simpler covers of the records of season, the prospectus covers are lavishly decorated with numerous photographers of the performers featured in LMC concerts. Publication of the prospectus appears to have been suspended after the death of concert manager Rose Gottstein in 1939. This series also includes miscellaneous other LMC publications. For example, separate printed by-laws were published in several editions. Other LMC publications, including issues of the newsletter, Notes and Ties, can also be found in the LMC scrapbooks (Series VI).

Contains various financial records of the club. The club's archivist originally divided these financial records into three different categories: cashbooks, treasury books, and record books. The cashbooks record general club revenue and expenses. There does not appear, however, to be much discernible difference between those items identified as treasury books and those described as record books. Both the treasury books and the record books chiefly list expenses relating to individual seasons or concerts in the artist recital series. Accounting methods vary considerably in formality. Gottstein's original treasury book, described on the accession list as dating from 1900 (item no. 81.7337.311), contained numerous loose receipts, statements, computations, and other materials, dating from 1901-1918, inserted between the pages. These materials have been removed from the book, arranged chronologically, and filed separately. A complete listing of these materials, citing the pages from which they were removed is included as an appendix.

This series consists of three subseries: Minutes, attendance records, and meeting albums.

The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically in two subseries: LMC scrapbooks and Mrs. Carlson's scrapbooks.

This series consists of three subseries: Anniversaries and histories, concert manager's files, and, miscellaneous subjects.

This series corresponds with Series V and includes a broad array of material. The series is arranged in chronological order and includes official publications, minutes, and programs. It relates to Series XI, the Presidents books, and includes additional information not found in the books. The publications are comprised of Guest Books that served as a record of attendance. They were removed from their original boxes and plastic covers and re-housed. President's reports and Annual reports cover the years 1962-2011. The series also includes club By-Laws, committee reports, invitations, and meeting minutes from 1990-1997. Programs from the Member concerts, Brown Bag Lunch concerts (held at the Seattle Public Library), Award/Debut Tour, and Artist Recital concerts range from 1985-2011.

Audiovisual Material includes VHS tapes, CDs, and a DVD. They cover the Music in Schools program, the Scholarship program, and presidents' files.

The Presidents Books are arranged chronologically and were taken out of their original binders and foldered in order. They serve as a comprehensive record of the club's activity during the president's term, which lasted for two years. Includes Board Meeting agendas and minutes, Member Meeting agendas and minutes, Annual Reports, correspondence, financial information, club By-Laws, newsletters, committee reports, and programs from member concerts, artist recital concerts, and Award/Debut tour concerts.

The Music in Schools material is arranged chronologically and was taken out of the original binders and organized for foldering. The Music in Schools program was created as an ongoing outreach program, a collaborative effort between the Ladies Musical Club and the Classical Music Supporters, to bring music education into Seattle's Public Schools. Includes: Annual Reports, Annual Directories, History of the program, extensive correspondence, programs, and newspaper clippings. Some material can also be found in the President's Books.