| Dates: | 1935-1967 |
| Size: | 2 linear feet in 3 boxes, including 37 photographic images |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe.CPHS |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | The collection was transferred to Harold Washington Library Center from Chicago Public Library’s Pullman Branch and processed as part of a Dr. Scholl Foundation grant in the fall of 1982. Supplement donated from Pullman Branch by Paul Patraitis in 1995. |
| Custodial History: | These materials were gathered by early members of the Calumet Pioneer Historical Society and deposited in the Pullman Branch Library. |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Conditions Governing Use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Preferred Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Chicago Pioneer Historical Society Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding Aid Author: | Original author unknown. Processed, 1982. Supplement processed by Johanna Russ in 2019. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Johanna Russ, 2021. |
Abstract
The Calumet Pioneer Historical Society was established in 1935 by the head of the Pullman Branch Library to help preserve the history of the region. The collection includes administrative records, executive committee and regular meeting minutes, speech transcripts, photographs and artifacts.
Biographical/Historical
The Calumet Pioneer Historical Society held its first meeting on October 24, 1935 in the Pullman Branch Library. The initial impetus for holding the meeting was the work of the branch librarian, Bernadine McLaughlin. Her objectives in bringing the community together were twofold: first, she wanted to establish a closer relationship between the library and the neighborhood it served, and second, to begin building up an historical collection on the community that would preserve the history of the area.
After the first meeting, a special committee was formed to give the group a name and draft a constitution. The main purpose of the Calumet Pioneer Society as stated in the constitution was to “perpetuate the memory of the early days in the Calumet region and to preserve memorials and exhibits of these days.” Membership was initially reserved for families and descendants of first settlers and community residents dating prior to 1895.
The society met quarterly and held its annual meeting in the fall. The meetings consisted of historic speeches and biographical statements on the community and its residents. At one point the society had over 200 members, but sometime during the late 1960s and early 1970s, it faded out of existence.
Scope and Contents
The papers included in this small collection reflect the goals and activities of the society. Administrative files of the society include attendance records, correspondence, membership cards, news clippings, press releases and the constitution. Executive Committee files consist of meeting minutes and lists of committee officers. Regular meeting minutes also appear, including those of the first meeting held on October 24, 1935. Appearing in the collection are also transcripts of speeches made by members of the society and guest speakers on topics of local historic interest. A small amount of material related to exhibits, artifact collections and presentations given by the Society is also included.
Arrangement
The files are arranged alphabetically by topic (Administrative, Executive Committee, Minutes of Regular Meetings, Programming, Speeches), and alphabetically or chronologically within each topic. Supplement 1 is housed in Box 2, Folders 19-22, and in Box 3.
Separated Materials
The following artifacts are maintained by the Pullman Branch Library, 11001 S. Indiana Street
- Anniversary badges (2) Antlers
- Arrowheads (45) Axe head
- Butter knife Cigar case
- Coffee grinder Doll
- Eyeglasses and case Fans (2)
- Fossilized bones (2) Ice skates
- Indian rattle Nails (9)
- Ornamental vase Plaque, memorial
- Ruler Salt shaker
Subject Headings
- Chicago Public Library. Pullman Branch — History
- Calumet-Pioneer Historical Society (Chicago, Ill.)
- Pullman (Chicago, Ill.)
- Roseland (Chicago, Ill.)
Related Collections
- Calumet Region Community Collection
- Fenger High School Records
- Fernwood Methodist Church Scrapbooks
- George A. Brennan Papers
- Milk Dealers’ Association Ledger and Minute Book
- Pullman Collection, Historic
- South Chicago Newspapers Collection
- Ton Family Papers
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Administrative - Attendance Records, 1935-1949 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.1 | Calumet Pioneer Historical Society ‒ two men standing in front of filing cabinet containing CPS collections, 1953 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.2 | Calumet Pioneer Historical Society ‒ group of people gathered around and holding volume of Pullman Journal, [1953] |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Administrative - Constitutions, 1936-1945 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Administrative - Correspondence, 1935-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Administrative - Correspondence, 1942-1949 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Administrative - Correspondence, 1950-1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Administrative - Correspondence, 1956-1962 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Administrative - Historical material, list of, 1936 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Administrative - Invitations, 1943-1965 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Administrative - Meeting roster, 1937-1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Administrative - Membership cards, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Administrative - News clippings, 1935-1965 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Administrative - Press releases, 1935-1949 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Administrative - Press releases, 1954-1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Administrative - Press releases, 1956-1958 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Administrative - Theme song, “Calumet Pioneer,” by Otto Mulder, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Executive Committee - Minutes of meetings, 1935 November 1-1939 May 1 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Executive Committee - Minutes of meetings, 1941 January 31-1945 October 10 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Executive Committee - Minutes of meetings, 1946 May 22-1950 October 13 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Executive Committee - Minutes of meetings, 1951 May 17-1961 September (includes minutes of regular meetings of society; see Series 3) |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Executive Committee - Officers, list of, 1942-1958, 1966-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1935 October 24-1936 November 12 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1937 February 25-1938 November 15 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1939 February 23-1940 November 1 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1941 February 28-1942 October 30 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1943 April 30-1944 November 10 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1945 April 20-1946 October 29 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 1947 May 9-1948 November 12 |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Minutes of Regular meetings, 19[4]7 June 7-1950 November 16 (1951-1961, see Executive Committee, minutes of meetings, Series 2) |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Programming - Arrowheads (2) found during excavation for home of H.R. Koopman, 11245 S. Parnell Avenue, displayed by CPHS, 1912 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Programming - Buttons (8), collection of Mrs. H.R. Koopman. Buttons worn in Roseland, displayed by CPHS, before 1896 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Programming - Buttons (3), photograph buttons made by H.R. Koopman, displayed by CPHS, circa 1900 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Programming - Button (1), Fire Department button from collection of Mrs. H.R. Koopman, displayed by CPHS, [1878] |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Programming - Glass Plate Slides (3), Calumet Store (Vandersyde), E. 111th Street & S. Michigan Avenue, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | Programming - Description of slides: Fernwood Homes and Landmarks, taken by Henry Penn, 1956 January 20 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Programming - Slides: Fernwood Homes and Landmarks, taken by Henry Penn (1-5), 1956 January 20 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Programming - Slides: Fernwood Homes and Landmarks, taken by Henry Penn (6-10), 1956 January 20 |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | Programming - Notes describing CPHS history and Supplement 1 donation, 1995 |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 | Programming - Notes from slide show presentation: Old Houses of the Calumet Region, notes by Walter Doemling, slides by John Udelhofen, 1955 February 11 |
| Box 2 | Folder 22 | Programming - Slides and notes for presentation, circa 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1936 February 20 |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1937 January 29 |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1938 March 17 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1938 May 26 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1940 February 16 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1940 May 24 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1940 November 1 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1941 February 28 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1945 November 2 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1950 November 16 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1952 November 7 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Speeches (before regular meetings), Spring, 1954 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1955 May 20 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1956 January 20 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1956 April 27 |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1957 January 25 |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1957 October 11 |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1958 May 2 |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1959 May |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | Speeches (before regular meetings), 1960 May 13 |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | Speeches (before regular meetings), undated |
