American National Red Cross: Wood County Chapter (Ohio) records
Collection Overview
Abstract
The records of the Wood County Chapter of the American Red Cross date from 1946 to 1986. The collection consists of meeting and board minutes, annual and committee reports, correspondence, scrapbooks, newsclippings, and photographs. In addition, the chapter charter, wills, and financial records in the collection provide an overview of the Red Cross and its history in Wood County.
Dates
- Creation: 1917-1988, undated
Extent
1.81 Cubic Feet (2 legal manuscript boxes, 2 flat boxes)
1 Volumes (One wrapped scrapbook)
Creator
Scope and Contents
The Wood County Red Cross collection contains records from 1946 to 1986, with the bulk from the late 1940s through the mid 1960s. The meeting and board minutes (1955-1968; 1985-1986) contain the most complete information, noting the organization's activities, projects, and policies. This source is limited, however, by the fact that the earlier minutes are not available. There is also a noteworthy gap in the minutes from 1969-1984, which unfortunately includes the activities related to the Blizzard of 1978.
Newspaper clippings from the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune and the BG News reflect the organization's active role in community affairs, particularly highlighting Blood Drive programs. The scrapbooks document disasters in Wood County, particularly tornados in 1948 and 1953 and the aid which the Red Cross provided in each situation. As with the minutes, there is a gap in coverage for the period of the 1978 Blizzard.
The photographic portion of the collection provides visual documentation of the agency's service programs, and illustrates the importance of the disaster service which the agency provides. The correspondence and wills, financial records, and information concerning the building of the Gorrell office complete the historical picture of the Wood County Red Cross.
Biographical / Historical
The Wood County Red Cross is a District Office of the American National Red Cross, which was founded in 1881. The Wood County Chapter became a charter member in June 1917. In July, 1968, the Wood County and Greater Toledo Area Chapters of the Red Cross merged.
Membership in the Wood County Red Cross is open to volunteers who serve to coordinate programs in four areas: disaster relief, safety, youth programs, and the Blood Bank.
The agency was housed in several locations until 1955, when a new building was erected at the present location, 150 Gorrell Avenue, Bowling Green, Ohio.
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
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The records were donated and transferred to the Center for Archival Collections in April 1985 with the cooperation of Frank E. Huber.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Elaine Paulette in May 1986, and revised by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts, in February 1992 and July 2009.
- Title
- Guide to the American National Red Cross: Wood County Chapter (Ohio) collection
- Author
- Elaine Paulette, Kasandra Fager
- Date
- May 1986, February 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 2 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 1 Oversize (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 2 Oversize (Mixed Materials)
- Volume: 1 (Mixed Materials)