Guide to the Congress of Clubs and Clubwomen of Western Pennsylvania Records, 1890-1963 AIS.1964.10

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Congress of Clubs and Clubwomen of Western Pennsylvania Records
Creator
Congress of Clubs and Club Women of Western Pennsylvania
Collection Number
AIS.1964.10
Extent
50 Linear Feet (39 boxes)
Date
1890-1963
Abstract
Originating in 1890, the Congress of Clubs and Clubwomen of Western Pennsylvania was a women's organization that existed through 1963. The collection contains material about their departments, committees, divisions and schools that were in place to create a well rounded individual able to assimilate well in society. Included in the collection are the constitution and by-laws, membership lists, reports of departments and committees, minute books, correspondence, event programs, publications, and scrapbooks.
Language
English .
Author
Archives Service Center staff and Holly Mengel. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in 2002-2004.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

Originating in 1890, the Congress of Clubs and Clubwomen of Western Pennsylvania was a women's organization that existed through 1963. The object of the organization was to "foster a spirit of fraternalism among women and women's clubs; to compare methods of study and work; to create a higher public spirit; to promote a better social order; and to maintain an organized center for women's work". The Congress had two classes of membership: club and individual (adult and junior). A clubhouse was built in 1923 at 408 Penn Avenue. At this time, the organization represented 121 clubs and had a membership of over 12,000 women. This number grew to a membership of 47,000 women from 622 clubs in 1940.

The Congress of Clubs was divided into four different sections, namely: departments, committees, divisions and schools. Within these four sections were subcategories of, drama, education, evening, legislative and music. These sections and their subcategories existed throughout the entire life of the organization and were created for the betterment of the club, to provide entertainment for the club, to educate women of the community and make them more well rounded, or to provide charity for groups outside of the club.

The Drama Department provided the opportunity for women to participate in dramatic productions and also hired professional actors to perform for the club. The Education Department worked to provide educational programs for club members, but also funded several scholarships. The Evening Department was designed for working women who were not able to attend meetings during the work weekday. The Legislation Department dealt with national, state, and local legislation. The fact that the Congress of Clubs, especially in its infancy, regarded women's rights in politics as very important is reflected in this department. The Music Department provided the opportunity for women to participate in the Congress Choral, and the Musicale.

Scope and Content Notes

Each series is further described in a scope note following the beginning of the series in the contents list. The notes give date spans and explain the arrangement of materials within the series.

The collection is well rounded and includes historical items, meeting minutes, reports of departments and committees, financial records, publications, correspondence, event programs, and membership lists. However, the majority of the materials are in Series IV: Departments, Committees, Divisions, and Schools and Series IX: Correspondence.

Arrangement

This collection spans the years 1890 through 1963 and has been arranged according to ten series. Each series is further described in a scope note following the beginning of the series in the contents list. The notes give date spans and explain the arrangement of materials within the series.

Series I. Constitution and By-Laws

Series II. Annual and Quarterly Meetings

Series III. Board Meetings

Series IV. Departments, Committees, Divisions, and Schools

Series V. Affiliated Clubs

Series VI. Congress Juniors Division

Series VII. Clubhouse Business

Series VIII. Publications

Series IX. Correspondence

Series X. Scrapbooks

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Alice Phillips, February 3, 1964.

Previous Citation

Congress of Clubs and Clubwomen of Western Pennsylvania Records, 1890-1963, AIS.1964.10, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Congress of Clubs and Clubwomen of Western Pennsylvania Records, 1890-1963, AIS.1964.10, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Archives Service Center Staff in 1964, and was reprocessed by Holly Mengel in October 2002.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • American Red Cross. Pittsburgh Area Chapter. Allegheny County Auxiliary No.1
    • Congress of Clubs and Club Women of Western Pennsylvania

    Other Subjects

    • Women -- Pennsylvania -- Societies and clubs
    • Societies
    • Associations
    • Women

Container List