| Dates: | 1935-1979 |
| Size: | .5 linear feet in 1 box |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe-nhrc-sshs |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | The collection was housed in Chicago Public Library’s South Shore Branch Library. In the 1980s Special Collections, working with a Dr. Scholl Foundation grant, transferred and processed the collection to make it fully available to the public. Items continue to be added to the collection through transfer and donation. Box 1, Folder 24 was added in 2018. |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Conditions Governing Use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: South Shore Historical Society Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding Aid Author: | Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Michelle McCoy, 2021 |
Abstract
The collection contains documents related to the foundation and organization of the society itself, including society’s constitution, membership lists, reports, minutes and programs. A short history of the Society produced by one of its members describes the Society’s formation and sets forth its aims. Of particular interest are two notes from author and humorist Opie Read which can be found in the correspondence file.
Biographical/Historical
The South Shore Historical Society was formed in October of 1935 as part of the “local history in Branches” idea expressed by Carl B. Roden, Librarian of Chicago Public Library. Working closely with the Library, the Society collected material about the development of the South Shore neighborhood as well as contemporary material that would be of later interest. During World War II, for example, they collected photographs of area men inducted into the Armed Services.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains the Society’s constitution, membership lists, treasurer’s reports, meeting minutes and programs as well as a short history of the Society. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1930s and 1940s. Of particular interest are two notes from author and humorist Opie Read in the correspondence file.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of document.
Subject Headings
- South Shore Historical Society (Chicago, Ill.) -- Archives
- South Shore (Chicago, Ill.) – History -- Sources
Related Materials
- Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club Archives
- South Shore Community Collection
- South Shore Newspapers
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Condolence resolutions, society members, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Constitution, handwritten and typed drafts and copies, 1935 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Correspondence, incoming letters (subjects include business, meeting attendance, membership questions and responses to speaking invitations along with 2 typed and signed notes from Opie Read, 1936 September 3 and 1938 October 22), 1935-1960 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | “History and Organization of the South Shore Historical Society,” describes the foundation and purposes of the Historical Society as written by a member, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Meeting notices with agendas, 1935-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Meeting notices, 1940-1945 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Meeting notices, 1946-1959 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Meeting minutes, reports of regular meetings, 1935-1936 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Meeting minutes, Executive Board meeting reports, 1937-1944 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Meeting programs, guests and events, 1935-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Meeting programs, guests and events, 1940-1946 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Membership cards (2), undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Membership lists, includes members, honorary and charter members and prospective members, 1935-1937, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Membership lists, includes members, charter members, members with committee service and prospective members, 1936-1937, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Membership lists, includes signatures of original members, charter members, prospective members and paid members, 1936-1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Memos, society business, committee memberships, 1948, 1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Newsletter, 1979 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Publicity, news clippings and publicity releases, 1935-1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Publicity, news clippings and publicity releases, 1938-1948 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | South Shore history, reference questions and answers, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Treasurer’s reports, 1936-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Treasurer’s reports, 1940-1942 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Treasurer’s reports, 1943-1947 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Treasurer’s reports, 1948-1958 |
