Delta Woman's Club records

Collection

Identifier: MS-0206

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Minutes, membership rosters, annual programs and financial records.

Dates

Creation: 1895-1982

Extent

1.38 Cubic Feet (3 legal archives boxes)

3 Reels (3 rolls of 35mm microfilm)

Creator

Delta Woman's Club (Delta, Ohio) (Organization)

Scope and Contents

The records of the Delta Woman's Club document the history and activities from 1895 to 1982 of this social and civic organization, which evolved from the merger of the Investigators and Criterion Literary Clubs. The records, consisting primarily of minutes, annual programs, and a few financial records, reflect the national, local, and personal interests of club members through program topics, civic and charitable work, and contributions. Many of the annual programs focus on a year-long study of one subject or country, while others cover miscellaneous topics. The focus of topics changes from a strongly literary and artistic emphasis in the early and middle years to more practical presentations on health, education, fashion, and decorating in more recent years. An increase in political or nationalistic programs is evident during period of war. Presentations include book reviews, travelogues, melodramas, debates, tours, guest speakers, and musical performances by members or guests.

One of the biggest civic projects the clubs were involved in was the development of the Delta Public Library, which is reflected in minutes, financial records, and a history of the library written by a club member.

Changes from weekly to twice-monthly to monthly meetings may reflect the increase of women in the work force and other outside activities, leaving less time for and interest in membership in social and civic groups.

A fire in the Delta City Hall on March 4, 1949, destroyed the early minutes of The Investigators Club and a history of the group. No information is available on the missing Criterion Club minutes form 1939 to 1952. Minutes for the Delta Woman's Club are missing for the years 1956 to 1975 and attempts are being made to locate them for inclusion in the collection.

Biographical / Historical

The Delta Woman's Club of Delta, Ohio (Fulton County), was formed in 1956 with the merger of The Investigators Club and The Criterion Literary Club. The Investigators Club was organized in 1892 and federated in 1899 with its stated purpose "to provide Popular Education for the citizens of Delta, to increase the facilities for education in our community and to promote good fellowship among its members." The club met weekly until about 1911, when they changed to twice-monthly meetings, usually in members' homes.

The Criterion Literary Club was founded in 1905, federated in 1911, and set its goal to be "the free discussion of any subjects coming before the meeting for the purpose of diffusing knowledge among its members." It met twice monthly, also primarily in members' homes, before merging with The Investigators Club, when monthly meetings were scheduled. Upon merger as the Delta Woman's Club, the objective became that of promoting "educational, philanthropic, and social interests among its members."

The size of membership of The Investigators was limited to 35 and 50 in The Criterion Club. For both clubs membership was decided by ballot with three or more negative votes denying membership. The Delta Woman's Club follows the same procedure for approving new members and limits its membership to 100.

Both original clubs exacted small fines for un-excused absences and for failing to carry through one's program assignment. The Delta Woman's Club still fines members the same five cent sum for un-excused absences.

Club concerns were handled by a number of internal committees, including calendar, philanthropic, bylaws, membership, and ways and means. Community activities ranged from contributions to building funds for a public library, hospital and city park; health care associations such as Red Cross, tuberculosis, polio, and cancer drives, and a home for crippled children; and sponsorship of a variety of groups from a Brownie troop to a Girls' State representative.

Prior to their merger in 1956, The Investigators and Criterion Clubs entertained each other at least once a year, with spouses and guests invited to an additional meeting or two each year.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records of the club were donated to the Center for Archival Collections (CAC) Women's Studies Archives Project (WSAP) in late 1981 through the cooperation of Carol Scherer, Delta Public Library, and Jill Gates Smith, Field Specialist (WSAP).