| Dates: | 1912-1965 |
| Size: | 1 linear foot |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | Archives_AWC |
| Provenance: | records of the Austin Woman’s Club were collected by various Austin historical associations and deposited in the Austin Branch Library’s historical collection over a period of 30 years. In November 1984, Special Collections, working under the auspices of a Dr. Scholl Foundation Grant, processed the papers according to archival standards and transferred them to its office for storage and access. |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Austin Woman’s Club Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
Historical Note
The Austin Woman’s Club (AWC) was organized in January 1896, and incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in July of the same year. The club’s motto was “the world is my neighbor.” Article I of the AWC’s By-Laws, as amended April 21, 1947, describe its objectives as being “intellectual and social culture, general philanthropic work, a united effort toward self-improvement and the elevation of humanity.” AWC activities were divided among the following committees, then called departments: American Citizenship and Public Welfare, American Home, Art and Literature, Education, and Music. Bimonthly meetings and other programs included such diverse topics as the effect of DDT on Garfield Park, international relations and literature charades.
Scope and Content
The AWC has been divided into three series: newspaper clippings, yearbooks and scrapbooks.
Series 1: Newspaper clippings, 1912-1944
This series contains newspaper clippings about AWC’s activities and members. Most of the clippings, which are arranged in chronological order, are from Austin newspapers.
Series 2: Yearbooks, 1934-1965
AWC yearbooks contain directory information, financial reports, a record of club activities, schedules of future events, and the AWC constitution and by-laws. This series contains an almost complete run of yearbooks from 1934 to 1965. The yearbooks are arranged in chronological order.
Series 3: Scrapbooks, 1931-1938
This series contains five scrapbooks of newspaper clippings dating from 1931 to 1947. The clippings provide a record of AWC activities and also some biographical information on club members. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.
Container List
Series 1: Newspaper clippings, 1912-1944
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Newspaper clippings, 1912-1644 |
Series 2: Yearbooks, 1934-1965
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Yearbooks, 1917-1918, 1922-1923 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Yearbooks, 1934-1935, 1936-1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Yearbooks, 1937-1938 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Yearbooks, 1938-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Yearbooks, 1939-1940 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Yearbooks, 1940-1941 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Yearbooks, 1941-1942 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Yearbooks, 1943-1944 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Yearbooks, 1945-1946 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Yearbooks, 1946-1947 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Yearbooks, 1947-1948 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Yearbooks, 1948-1949 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Yearbooks, 1949-1950 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Yearbooks, 1950-1951 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Yearbooks, 1951-1952 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Yearbooks, 1952-1953 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Yearbooks, 1954-1955 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Yearbooks, 1955-1956 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Yearbooks, 1956-1957 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Yearbooks, 1957-1958 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Yearbooks, 1958-1959 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Yearbooks, 1961-1962 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Yearbooks, 1963-1964 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Yearbooks, 1964-1965 |
Series 3: Scrapbooks, 1931-1947
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Scrapbooks, 1931-1934 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Scrapbooks, 1935-1936 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Scrapbooks, 1937-1938 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Scrapbooks, 1945-1946 |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Scrapbooks, 1946-1947 |
