1950-1964 Manuscript Minute Book for the Ever Ready Guild Women’s Christian Social and Charity Club of Weymouth, Massachusetts

On offer are the detailed minutes of 14 years’ worth of club meetings from a group of women collaborating to improve their church and community in 20th century New England. This minute book belonged to the Ever Ready Guild in Weymouth Massachusetts, which was founded in 1928. Newspaper reports of the time indicate that the Ever Ready Guild was a women’s club within the East Weymouth Congressional Church. Research shows that clubs of this or related names such as Ever Ready Club were a regular feature of many Christian congregations of the time.

The minute book is fascinating for the amount of detail it provides about this group. According to their records, they had about three dozen members and would usually have 20-30 members out at their monthly meetings.

These women were quite active in their church and community. At their meetings, they recognized members for life events such as births or deaths, they planned and carried out events such as dinners and discussed ways of supporting their wider community. One delightful feature of most meeting was the ‘Mystery Package’ wherein one member was responsible for selecting and giving ‘mystery gifts’ to two other members. Some of their fund raising activities were creative and certainly evidence of good humour, such as this:

“...We were asked to measure our waists and pay a penny for each inch at the September meeting…” [p. 68]. 

“...It was reported that $8.93 was earned by the waist measurement project…” [p. 77].

“... A motion was made and accepted that the Guild pledge to the church should be $150.00…” [p. 47].

“...It was voted to make a donation of $5.00 to the Red Cross…” [p. 55]. 

“...Helen T made a motion that we bring to the next meeting gifts for children…” [p. 176].

Other donations were made to Red Feather (this community aid group was the fore-runner to the United Way), Children’s Medical Center, their local Baptist church, programs to support the needy, a Childrens’ Table at the local fair, the March of Dimes, the Seaman’s Society and others.

“... It was voted that the Guild take charge of the Children’s table at the fair. The Guild was also asked if they would take charge of a Silent or Sacrificial Luncheon to be held on Good Friday…” [p. 103]. 

“At the May 23rd, 1961 meeting, they recorded that it was the 33rd anniversary of the Guild” [p.226]. 

The monthly notes are filled with local references and specific members of their community. There are repeated references to events such as rummage sales and food sales, luncheons, annual outings, silent auctions, Halloween and Christmas parties, etc. They were held at local locations such as the "Country Fair", "Odd Fellows Hall", etc. 

These women were completely invested in their church and civic community. They planned, hosted and participated in many events throughout the year such as "Covered Dish Supper", "Snow Ball Festival", "Music Festival", etc. They also were a close-knit group and were careful to be aware of and respond to their fellow members such as visiting ill members of the group, sending cards or flowers for events such as births or deaths, attending funerals. They were conscious of events beyond their community and dark war clouds on the horizon did not pass unnoticed:

“...The meeting closed at 9:00 followed by a very interesting talk on air raids given by Mrs. Betty Prudent…” [p. 21].

It is tempting to look at middle class women from the 1950’s and 60’s through the stereotyped images of June Cleaver from Leave It To Beaver but these women were actively engaged in their communities and dealt with real-life issues.

This Minute Book offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of these women and their church and the wider community of Weymouth, MA. For a social historian, it is rich in detailed information about the world these women inhabited and their roles in an evolving social structure. For a Women’s Studies or Gender Studies program, it offers an outstanding look at the role these women played in their community during a period of momentous social change in the United States. For a genealogist, this is a superb source of information about a fairly cohesive group in this New England community. There are extensive lists of members’ names along with their addresses.

The book is a minute book and is in very good condition. Measuring 9.75x 7.75 inches, it contains 300 numbered pages and is 100% complete. There is evidence that 15 pages have been cut out of the book near the beginning. The hard cover is in good condition as are the binding and pages. The handwriting is quite legible. The minute book covers the years 1950 through 1964.