MS 297 - Men's Literary Club (Sandusky, Ohio)
MLA Citation
“MS 297 - Men's Literary Club (Sandusky, Ohio).” Finding Aids. BGSU University Libraries, 20 Mar. 2014, lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/1399. Accessed 17 June 2025.
Tags
| Title | MS 297 - Men's Literary Club (Sandusky, Ohio) |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The records of the Men's Literary Club span the years 1899-1954. The collection contains fairly complete minutes (1899-1944), Club calendars (1903-1954), and membership recods (1899-1946). Also included in the collection are guest speaker lists, memorial tributes and two of the members' papers. The collection was donated to the Center for Archival Collections by the Sandusky Public Library in February 1983. No restrictions exist on the research use of this collection. The collection was processed and finding aid prepared by Susan Hagemeyer in February 1984. |
| Agency History | The Men's Literary Club of Sandusky, Ohio was organized on the evening of December 29, 1899. The next evening the seventeen members elected officers and adopted bylaws. On January 8, 1900, the first regular meeting was held. The object of the Club, as stated in the bylaws, was "to promote the intellectual improvement of its members," specifically accomplished through the presentation of papers written by the members and followed by a general discussion. Membership was limited to twenty-five. The first meetings were held at members' homes and followed by refreshments. At the end of the Club's calendar year (October-May), a banquet was held at which a prominent person was invited to address the Club. The Club remained strong and active despite one episode of disbanding due to lack of interest and attendance. On September 28, 1908, the Men's Literary Club officially disbanded. By the next month, a group of men reorganized the Club and it continued to operate as before. Subjects of papers were varied and reflected the interests of the men, many of whom were lawyers, merchants, bankers, clergymen, physicians, and educators. "The 8 Hour Day," "International Relations," "The Modern High School," "Confidence," and "The Machine Worker's Personality" were examples of some of the papers presented. Although the research interests of the members continued to be an important aspect of the Club, in its later years, the Club became more social and included activities with family and friends. |
| Scope and Content | The strength of the Men's Literary Club collection lies in the completeness of the minutes (1899-1944), membership lists (1899-1946), and Club calendars (1903-1954), which contain a listing of officers, members and the papers presented at the meetings. The minutes provide details on how the Club was organized and administered, while the Club calendars, specifically the listing of papers presented, provide insight into the interests and concerns of the Club's members. It is unfortunate, however, that only two original papers--one on India and the other an executive report--are included in this collection. The actual papers would have provided much more information on members' concerns and values. Also included in the collection are two memorial tributes to members as well as thank-you notes for other such tributes, a guest speaker list (1909-1939) and a listing by member's name of the papers presented (1900-1940). |
| Series Description | PROCEEDINGS MINUTES December 1899-June 1944 Arranged chronologically Describes business conducted at meetings, including planning of programs, amending the constitution and reporting of finances. Also includes correspondence, banquet programs and membership attendance. MEMBERSHIP RECORDS 1899-1946 Arranged chronologically Includes two pamphlets providing membership lists, status (whether withdrawn, removed, or deceased), bylaws, record of papers presented and an historical sketch of the Club. Also includes a separate listing of members from 1899 to 1940. PAPERS PRESENTED 1900-1940. Arranged alphabetically by member's name. A listing of the member, title and date of each paper that the member presented to the Club. GUEST SPEAKER LIST 1909-1939. Arranged chronologically A list providing the date, title of paper and name of speaker. CORRESPONDENCE MEMORIAL TRIBUTE CORRESPONDENCE 1927, 1945, n.d. Arranged chronologically Thank-you notes to the Club for the memorial tributes sent to the families of deceased members. LITERARY PRODUCTIONS PAPERS 1920, February 11, 1946. Arranged chronologically Includes two papers--one an executive report on the administration of the Club and the papers presented and the other on the "Government of India." MEMORIAL TRIBUTES 1945. Memorial tributes to George Feick, Jr. and Dr. Chester B. Bliss. SCRAPBOOK AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS NEWSCLIPPINGS November 4, 1942. Newsclipppings regarding the death and funeral of Lester E. Milkey. PRINTED MATERIAL BANQUET PROGRAMS 1915, 1916, n.d. Arranged chronologically Includes menu and program for annual banquet. Some program booklets are included in the minutes. CLUB CALENDARS 1903-1954, missing 1909-1910 and 1952-1953. Arranged chronologically Calendars contain lists of officers, members, meeting and paper assignments, order of business and bylaws. The 1916-1917 and 1922-1923 calendars also contain a history of the Club and its literary record. |
| Inventory | Box 1 Folders
Box 2 Folders
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