1906 through 1948 ORIGINAL GROUP OF SIX [6] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES AND LEDGERS DETAILING THE DEPTH AND BREADTH OF EARLY 20th CENTURY WOMEN'S INTERESTS AND THOUGHT

On offer is an outstanding collection of minute books, records and ledger of a significant Women's Club that has been in continuous operation for well over 100 years. In 1900, Minnie Dana founded a club for women with a mission "To promote interest of the members in Literature, Science, Art and other timely topics of vital importance; to further social relations among its members; and to contribute to the welfare of the community", Thus began the Thursday Club, a club that operates to this day, well over a century later. The meetings focused on an eclectic range of subjects and members were expected to speak on a wide variety of topics. These topics included biographies, the suffrage movement, the effects of industrialization, a trip to Hawaii, Shakespeare, History, taking care of the feeble minded, etc. It is clearly evident that these were well-educated women who were engaged in the world around them. Each journal follows a consistent format with the exception of the last one - it is a Treasurer's Report and ledger book. The first journal covers a time period of 1906 to 1913. It contains a copy of their constitution and, most importantly, a listing of members. Each meeting followed a standard format: minutes of the previous meeting were read, new business discussed and then the program for the afternoon. The report of the Dec 6th, 1906 meeting included the topics addressed: 'Topics for the first part were "The Young Nation from 1787 -1815" and "Statesmen of the 18th Century" led by Mrs. Pomeroy who read a paper on the trials, discouragements and victories of this. Mrs. Herbert Dickinson gave a sketch of the period life of Alexander Hamilton, the youngest statesman of that period and Mrs. Pomeroy a short sketch of Benjamin Franklin, the oldest statesman. The 2nd part of the program American Inventors and Inventions was in the charge of Miss Armstrong. [Dec 6, 1906] This was standard fare for these ladies as the following excerpts will show: Mrs. Gleason and Mrs. Hammond had charge of the program for the afternoon, the subject being Later-day Crusades and Crusaders. Mrs. Gleason taking the life and works of Jacob Riis and Judge Ben B. Lindsey and Mrs. Hammond Booker T. Washington and Theodore Roosevelt. ... [Jan 16, 1908] The program in charge of Mrs. Wales consisted of the reading of the first three acts of Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar". The readers of the play were as follows ... (a number of ladies' names are then listed) [Nov 18, 1909] The program for the afternoon Famous Canadians of the Twentieth Century in charge of Mrs Mary Pomeroy and Mrs. Albert Wales was then taken up. Mrs. Pomeroy ... read an interesting paper on Sir Wilfred Laurier, Gov Gen'l Connaught, Dr. William [ ] Miss Kathleen Parlow, musician of note. ... [Jan 4, 1912] The second journal continues the record of meetings held in 1906, picking up in December of that year. The Mar 7th, 1907 meeting tackled head on the uncomfortable topic of slavery. The notes record the discussion: ... For 1/4 of a century before the War, there was a controversy between North and South over the extension of slavery. The South feared the North would soon have large representation in Congress and abolish slavery ... [Mar 7, 1907] The third journal covers 1915 and 1916 The program for the afternoon "Needle and Tongue" in charge of Mrs. Davie was then taken up. Mrs. Howlett played two selections on the Victrola. Mrs. Davie then introduced Miss. Ruth Henry of Amherst as speaker for the afternoon. While the ladies were engaged in various kinds of needlework, they listened to a very interesting talk by Miss Henry on her life in Hawaii. ... [Dec 2, 1915] The fourth journal also records meetings in 1915 and 1916 while the fifth journal covers a 6 year period from 1922 until 1928. The latter contains minutes of a number of annual meetings. These meeting offer many details about various members, their roles and contributions and their finances. Club membership numbers indicate a healthy and thriving organization: About 100 Club members and three guests gathered in the Vestry of the Church for the Annual Guest Night of the Thursday Club Jan 11th. ... [p 129] The Treasurers Ledger Book is a detailed record of revenues received (mostly raised from dues and a Penny Collection taken each meeting) and expenses incurred in operating the Club. The expense listing shows that these women were well aware of issues and events far beyond their walls and include donations to the Red Cross, China relief, Boys Services and the Western Massachusetts Women's Club. This is an outstanding collection. Although they follow a standardized format, the warm personalities of these women still shines through. Along with their weighty discussions, there are references to needlework during presentations, penny collections, etc. They clearly illustrate the depth and breadth of thinking and interests of these women over a period of 100+ years. These would be a valuable addition to any Women's Studies program. The continual listing of members by full name makes these very valuable for genealogists. Inventory: The following table summarizes the size, and condition of each volume: 1906-1913 8.25 x 6.75 148 100 Good / Good / Good; 1907-1913 8.0 x 6.5 116 100 Good / Good / Good; 1915-1916 * 8.5 x 6.5 116 50 Good / Fair / Good; 1915-1916 * 8.0 x 6.5 116 50 Good / Fair / Good; 1922-1928 8.5 x 9.75 152 96 Good / Good / Good and Ledger 1924-46 7.5 x 5.0 172 100 Fair / Fair / Good.; Manuscript; 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, UNITED STATES; MASSACHUSETTS; HAMPSHIRE COUNTY; NEW ENGLAND; EARLY 20TH CENTURY; 1900s; 1910s; PROGRESSIVE ERA; WOMEN CLUBS; THE THURSDAY CLUB; AMHERST, MA; MINNIE DANA; CLUB MOVEMENT; AMERICAN WOMEN SOCIAL MOVEMENT; SOUTHERN AMHERST; WOMEN STUDIES; SOCIAL LIFE IN AMHERST IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY; AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, PERSONAL HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL