MS 607 - Toledo Humanist Society Collection
MLA Citation
“MS 607 - Toledo Humanist Society Collection.” Finding Aids. BGSU University Libraries, 20 Mar. 2014, lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/1412. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.
Tags
| Title | MS 607 - Toledo Humanist Society Collection |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The records of the Toledo Humanist Society Collection date from 1943-1991. The collection includes minutes, correspondence, an executive director's report, financial records of the organization, and newspaper articles. Also included are subject files and printed materials such as pamphlets, newsletters, periodicals, and books relating to the Humanist movement. The records were donated and transferred to the Center for Archival Collections on July 30, 1991, with the cooperation of Naomi Twining. There are no restrictions on the research use of this collection and duplication is permitted for purposes of preservation and scholarly research. |
| Agency History | The Toledo Humanist Society, founded in 1952 by Dr. Gardner Williams, was a chapter of the American Humanist Association. Dr. Gardner Williams at the time of the Chapter's organization was chairman of the Philosophy Department at the University of Toledo. The Toledo Society met monthly for informal talks and discussions. It ceased being a chapter of the AHA by 1990. The American Humanist Association was founded in New York City about 1927. It incorporated in 1941 with headquarters in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Later it moved its central office to San Francisco and now it is located in Washington D.C. The Humanist movement is a world-wide effort that seeks, mainly through educational means, to offer a philosophy counter to prevalent orthodox religion. Although different chapters emphasize different aspects of Humanism, the American Humanist Association argues for a reliance on scientific proof, rational understanding, and logic to explain life experiences. As such, it argues that people are responsible for their own destiny and should seek to solve the problems of the world through scientific methods, not through devotion to religion. For more information about the AHA please refer to its web site at http://humanist.net |
| Scope and Content | The Toledo Humanist Society Collection contains the records of this organization and its founder, Gardner Williams, for the years 1926-1990, with the bulk of the documents dating from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s. Although the printed materials provide much information on the purposes and interests of the Society, the research value of the collection is hampered by the lack of minutes and other administrative documentation which would provide more details on the Society's organization and development. The various publications which comprise a large part of this collection do provide an excellent encapsulation of the Society's purpose, what "Humanism" means, and the activities of the American Humanist Association. Additionally, the newspaper articles also illuminate the Society's activities and evolution. The subject files provide details on issues with which the Society was concerned. Arranged by topic, the subject files attest to the debates within the Society and the rest of the public over issues such as religion, taxes, and separation of church and state. |
| Series Description | PROCEEDINGS MINUTES December 1958-March 1959, Nov.25, 1972 Arranged chronologically Includes the location and date of the meetings, as well as a summary of the proceedings and business concluded. The November 1972 minutes are from the American Humanist Association CORRESPONDENCE HUMANIST SOCIETY CORRESPONDENCE 1943-1990, n.d. (scattered) Arranged chronologically Includes letters, notes, and official letters exchanged between various members of the society, between the Toledo chapter and the national chapter, between prospective members and the organization SUBJECT FILES TOPICAL FILES 1948-1980s, n.d. (scattered) Arranged by topic Includes essays, articles, and announcements of conferences touching on a variety of topics of interest to the humanist movement REPORTS ANNUAL REPORTS 1965 Includes the report of the AHA Executive Director FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS FINANCIAL RECORDS 1955-1972, n.d. (scattered) Arranged chronologically Includes account ledger, checkbook, receipts of the Toledo Society SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL NEWSPAPER ARTICLES 1947-1990, n.d. Arranged chronologically Includes articles on Humanism, Gardner Williams, copies of Civil Liberties newspaper PRINTED MATERIALS PAMPHLETS 1926-1970s, n.d. (scattered) Arranged chronologically Includes pamphlets, fliers, brochures covering a variety of issues and topics of debate within the Humanist Society and the Humanism movement NEWSLETTERS 1966-1974 Arranged by title of newsletter Includes newsletters from the AHA with information on events and activities of The American Humanist Association and its various divisions JOURNALS AND PERIODICALS 1948-1975 Arranged by title Includes various periodicals dealing with, and devoted to Humanism and issues with which it is concerned BOOKS 1946-1953 Arranged by title Includes books dealing with the topic of Humanism and its implications for society. Also includes books written on topics of interest to Humanism, such as religion |
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