Nineteenth Century Club Records, 1901-2011, n.d.
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
Established in December 1900, the Nineteenth Century Club began as a small group of women meeting in homes to discuss popular local and national topics. The club was founded with assistance from Mrs. Minivieve F. Beckwith’s sister, the founder of “The Elyria Four O’clock Club.” Mrs. Beckwith was the Club’s first President. Active members participated in the organization of meetings, activities, and events. Officers of the club performed assigned duties and tasks as their position required while other members of the group were divided into the Nominating Committee, the Program Committee, and the Social Committee. These committees have been responsible for the organization of the club’s events and programs and the nomination of new members.
The Nineteenth Century Club has provided a forum in which members are able to interact, hold discussions, and educate one another about issues concerning the Oberlin community. During meetings, assigned members presented papers and essays on topics such as “New Child Labor Laws” and “Leading Magazines and their Editors.” Issues raised and discussed by the group have ranged widely, from social justice issues, including those specific to women, to book reviews and explorations of music, spirituality, and topical social movements. Art, architecture, and politics have all been explored, through the medium of presentations by Club members or outside speakers, during meetings of the Nineteenth Century Club. The club has continually promoted partnership with Oberlin’s schools, organizations, and community leaders, and club members have worked with community members and assisted in local projects and activities. At its most fundamental level, the Nineteenth Century Club encourages social responsibility and life long learning amongst the club’s members.
Since its founding, community service has been a significant part of the club’s history and members have contributed generously to the community. Members of the club helped plant trees and shrubbery at the local high school and also belonged to the hospital auxiliary. They sewed for the Red Cross, gave to the War Chest, and provided assistance to a fund that sent nurses and doctors overseas during World Wars I and II. The Oberlin Public Library, the Oberlin College Library, and the library at Oberlin High School have all benefited from the club’s generosity. Members also offered assistance to students through scholarships and loans such as the Athletic Association, the Community Chest, the Scholarship Loan, and the Pan American Scholarship. During Christmas, they provided aid as well as gifts to needy children and the elderly.
Club activities and events have been central to the Nineteenth Century Club’s goals and history. While club membership dues were one of the primary sources of funds that supported club activities to help raise funds for their services in the community, the Nineteenth Century Club also hosted socials, dinners, and events. The club has celebrated anniversaries and special occasions with luncheons and dinners hosted by its members, where food, music, and entertainment are provided. Other popular social events have included Guest Days and Book Weeks, which involved the discussion of book topics and poetry. Guest Days featured special guest speakers who presented papers on topics that ranged from “Scandinavian Music and Musicians” to “The Life and Habits of Honey Bees.” Every year, members have hosted holiday luncheons and programs where Christmas food was served and carols were sung. Also popular in these events were poetry readings and presentations of plays.
The tradition of the Nineteenth Century Club continues today as club membership and participation remains strong. The club hosts dinners and luncheons for members, as well as providing an opportunity to educate one other through the presentation of intellectual essays and literature. While the club’s social events remain popular, emphasis on community service has diminished over the years. Members do, however, continue to serve their community by sponsoring local organizations and scholarships. During the holiday season, members contribute most to the Oberlin community. Using the club’s amassed funds, individual members “adopt” Oberlin families recommended by the Oberlin Community Services and buy gifts for these families during the holidays.
Sources Consulted
The historical account of Mrs. Minivieve F. Beckwith presented to the Nineteenth Century Club on its 35th anniversary, and other records of the Nineteenth Century Club.
Author: Maria Paz G. Esguerra, Melissa Gottwald Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative InformationRecords of other women’s clubs in Oberlin are filed in 31/6.
“The Allen-Severance Connection,” an article written and presented by W. Jeanne McKibben, M.D. for the Nineteenth Century Club in 1988 is filed in the Oberlin File (RG 21).
The records of the Nineteenth Century Club document club activities and history. The materials consist of club minutes, financial records, annual yearbooks, correspondence, memorabilia, printed materials, photographs, videotapes, and objects.
The club’s administrative records include both minutes and financial records but do not include materials prior to 1904. The minutes span from 1904 to 2009 with some gaps, the largest being 1915-1938. Financial records reside both in a dedicated series and in select club minutes spanning from 1904 to 2009. Administrative records also include copies of the constitution noting various changes to the organization.
Club activities and events have been central to the Nineteenth Century Club’s goals and history and are reflected in the materials available in the collection. Club yearbooks and memorabilia from events provide information on club membership as well as annual social events. During club meetings, some members also presented essays and talks to the club. These talks often focused on subjects related to Oberlin College and Oberlin town, as well as members of the community who contributed to the town’s development. Newspaper clippings also document various community service activities that club members participated in. Topics include club anniversary celebrations, the tree planting at the local high school, and contributions made by members to the war relief effort in 1941. Correspondence from Oberlin College, the Oberlin Public Library, and other organizations also illustrates other donations and contributions made by the club towards the Oberlin community.
Non-textual records include photographs of club events, videotapes that include a history of the club from 1900 to 2001, and objects such as a gavel, pin, rubber stamp, and a box of wooden balls used for recreational activities. The collection also included a club scrapbook, but due to its fragile condition, the scrapbook was taken apart. Its contents, which included club yearbooks, invitations, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, were interfiled within the rest of the collection. Copies of the cover and one item from the scrapbook are filed with the memorabilia series.
The records are arranged in the following series:
Series I. Constitutions, 1955-56, n.d.
Series II. Club Minutes and Reports, 1904-ca. 1908, 1910-14, 1939-2009
Series III. Club Yearbooks, 1901-2011, n.d.
Series IV. Correspondence, 1919-88, n.d.
Series V. Events, 1903, 1907, 1913-14, 1925-26
Series VI. Financial Records, 1923-98, 2006-09, n.d.
Series VII. Meeting Presentations, 1982-83, 1995-2005, 2007-09, n.d.
Series VIII. Memorabilia, 1900-03, 1911-14, 1920-41, 1950, 1960, 1983-85, n.d.
Series IX. Printed Materials, 1897-98, 1926, 1932, 1940, 1946, 1948, 1969, n.d.
Series X. Photographs, ca. 1920s, 1983, 1988, 2008, n.d.
Series XI. Videotapes, 1997-98, 2001
Series XII. Objects, 1901, n.d.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Constitutions, 1955-56, n.d. (0.1 l.f.)
This series contains several undated copies of the organization’s constitution noting various changes made in the organization, and constitutions with amendments dated 1954-56. They outline the objectives and structure of the club.
Series II. Club Minutes and Reports, 1904-ca. 1908, 1910-14, 1939-2009 (0.9 l.f.)
The club minutes discuss all issues regarding organization, membership, community programs, and events as well as finance. It also includes an annual membership list where attendance was taken during club meetings. The minutes are arranged chronologically.
Series III. Club Yearbooks, 1901-2011, n.d. (0.8 l.f.)
Included in this series are annual programs that serve as guides to club activities. It notifies members of club events, as well as provides information on club officers and membership. The programs are arranged chronologically. Also filed here are research notes on a display of program booklets.
Series IV. Correspondence, 1919-88, n.d. (0.04 l.f.)
This series contains various letters and notes from former Nineteenth Century Club members (1920-21, 1926, 1963, n.d.). It also includes correspondence from the League to Enforce Peace – Ohio Branch (1919), Oberlin Public Library (1988), Oberlin College (1932, 1971), and the Montana Woman’s Missionary Union (n.d).
Series V. Events, 1903, 1907, 1913-14, 1925-26 (0.02 l.f.)
Contains material related to club events including programs and menus for annual dinner celebrations, anniversaries, special guest days, and holiday parties.
Series VI. Financial Records, 1923-98, 2006-09, n.d. (0.5 l.f.)
The Treasurer’s Books document various financial activities and responsibilities of the club. It consists of financial records relating to expenditures, profits, monetary donations, as well as club fees and dues.
Series VII. Meeting Presentations, 1982-83, 1995-2005, 2007-09, n.d. (0.04 l.f.)
Meeting presentations contain essays and talks presented to the club by some of its members.
Series VIII. Memorabilia, 1901-25, 1980s, 1998, 2000-01, 2008, n.d. (0.12 l.f.)
This series includes clippings of articles related to club anniversaries, activities, events, and community service work for Oberlin schools and contributions to the war relief effort. Additional materials include a fictional story written by a member in celebration of the club’s 25th anniversary, a short club history, production notes for a play, ephemera, and a copy of an illustration made by Bill Schroeder, son of club member Marion Schroeder, for the club. The original drawing resides at the Oberlin Heritage Center. Remnants of a scrapbook previously disbound and dispersed throughout the collection can also be found in this series.
Series IX. Printed Materials, 1897-98, 1926, 1932, 1940, 1946, 1948, 1969, n.d. (0.04 l.f.)
Comprises are various printed materials including brochures on other clubs, certificates, and a published compendium on parliamentary law
Series X. Photographs, ca. 1920s, 1983, 1988, 2008, n.d. (0.04 l.f.)
This small series holds only one group portrait from the club’s early history, dating from the 1920s. The remainder of the photographs and negatives were taken at club activities in the 1980s and 2008.
Series XI. Videotapes, 1997-98, 2001 (0.2 l.f.)
There are two different VHS tape productions in this collection, one of which celebrates 100 years of the club, done in 2001.
Series XII. Objects, 1901, n.d. (1.25 l.f.)
Found here are several artifacts including a gavel, marble game, pin, and rubber stamp all used by the Nineteenth Century Club.