FREEDOM TOWNSHIP WOMEN’S CLUB
RECORDS, 1923-1998
1.75 linear feet
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ACQUISITION: |
The records (donor no. 547) were
donated by |
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ACCESS: |
The records are open for research. |
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COPYRIGHT: |
Copyright has been transferred to the |
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PHOTOGRAPHS: |
In boxes 1-4. |
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PROCESSED BY: |
Doris Malkmus, 1999; Sharon M. Lake, 2008. |
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History
The Freedom Township Women’s Club began in 1923
under the name “Swastika Club of Freedom Township,” changing its name in 1942 to
the “Freedom Township Women’s Club.” The
early programs of this club demonstrate the influence of the newly formed Farm
Bureau and the then-affiliated county extension programs. Club women heard presentations by extension
agents on home economics skills such as food preservation, nutrition, sewing,
and tailoring. The club’s monthly
meetings also provided township women with opportunities to socialize and work
together for mutual goals. After
mid-century, the programming more frequently included arts topics, craft
projects, book reviews, and descriptions of international travel. The last meeting of the Freedom Township
Women’s Club was held June 2, 1989.
Scope and Content
The Freedom Township Women’s Club
Records measure 1.75 linear feet and date from 1923 to 1998. They primarily consist of secretary’s books
(1948-1989) and scrapbooks (1923-1989).
A history, as well as a few miscellaneous records, correspondence, and
photographs complete this exemplary collection of a rural women’s club from its
inception in 1923 to its last meeting in 1989.
The records illustrate typical social and cultural activities of farm
women throughout this period.
The history of the Freedom Township Women’s
Club, written by long-time club member Dorothy Place in 1998, describes the
major events of the club. The secretary’s books include minutes, records of
meetings from 1948 to 1989, and loose papers taken from the books.
A scrapbook for 1923 to 1948 was
compiled for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the club. Photocopies of this
scrapbook follow the originals. This and
subsequent scrapbooks contain lists of elected officers, photographs, newspaper
clippings, programs, project reports, plays, attendance records, the 1934
Swastika Club Cookbook, and other memorabilia.
Miscellaneous Farm Bureau papers (1960),
correspondence from the fiftieth anniversary reunion tea (1973), 4-H Foundation
honorary certificates (undated), and several loose photographs complete the
club records. Many more photographs of
club activities and members can be found in the scrapbooks.
Related Collections:
Dorothy
Sprout Place, “The War Years, 1938-1945: The Story of How World War II Shaped
My Life.” Autobiographical account
composed by Dorothy Place from her diaries written during World War II.
Edith
Sprout, “Memories.” Published memoir of
Mrs. Edith Sprout, charter member of Freedom Township Woman’s Club.
Box no. Description
Box
1
History, 1998
Correspondence [Responses to invitation to fiftieth anniversary tea, 1973]
Secretary’s Books
1948-1960
loose
papers
1960-1989
loose
papers
Scrapbooks
Twenty-fifth
anniversary scrapbook, 1923-1948 [disbound]
Original scrapbook cover
1923-1937
Originals (four folders)
Photocopies
(four folders)
Box
2
1938-1948
Originals
(four folders)
Photocopies
(four folders)
Scrapbook,
1949-1954 [disbound]
Original
scrapbook cover
1949-1954
(six folders)
Box
3
Scrapbook, 1955-1958 [disbound] (two
folders)
Scrapbook,
1959-1967 [disbound] (seven folders)
Box
4
Scrapbook,
1968-1972 [disbound] (two folders)
Scrapbook,
1973-1975 [disbound] (two folders)
Scrapbook,
1976-1978 [disbound] (three folders)
Scrapbook,
1979-1989 [disbound] (five folders)
Farm Bureau Documents, 1960
4-H Foundation Certificates, undated
Photographs
[Four
unidentified photographs. Most
photographs
are
included in scrapbooks.]
Scrapbooks
Original clippings, 1960-1985 (3 folders)