Historical Note

In 1931 a group of Englewood residents increased interested in the history of their neighborhood joined together with the staff of the Hiram Kelly Branch Library to form an organization, "to gather and preserve historical material of the Englewood district of Chicago... ," and "to extend its support for the betterment of the community."¹  By 1941, the organization had incorporated and was known as the Englewood Historical Association, (EHA).

The EHA actively collected manuscript materials, newspapers and photographs documenting their neighborhood's rich historical tradition.  From its beginning, the EHA and the Hiram Kelly Branch Library of the Chicago Public Library maintained a close relationship.  The EHA held its meetings, stored its materials and received technical advice at the Hiram Kelly Branch Library.  In return, the Kelly Branch Library received title and possession of this unique collection.

Student participation was an important component of the EHA's sponsored activities.  Students from Beale School and Wentworth School participated in the EHA's junior historical organizations.  Moreover, the EHA sponsored the writing of historical essays and sketches about the Englewood neighborhood.

Scope and Content 

SERIES I: ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERS, 1937 - 1950
This series contains agenda, certificate of incorporation, minutes of meetings and a directory.  The papers in this series are arranged alphabetically.

SERIES II: CORRESPONDENCE, 1931 - 1953
This series contains correspondence describing the development and activities of the EHA.  The correspondence in this series is arranged chronologically.

SERIES III: ENGLEWOOD JUNIOR HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, 1941 - 1950
This series contains membership lists, constitution and by-laws, reports and historical sketches from both the Beale Chapter and Wentworth Chapter of the Englewood Junior Historical Association.  The papers in this series are arranged alphabetically.

SERIES IV: FORMS, n.d.
This small series contains a sample of EHA forms.  Forms included are stationery  and membership cards.

SERIES V: NEWSCLIPPINGS, 1951
In 1951, the EHA sponsored a reunion for students from Englewood and Parker  High School.  This series documents some of the activities surrounding this event.

SERIES VI: PRINTED MATERIALS, n.d.
This small series contains ephemeral brochures, fliers and pamphlets describing EHA activities and programs.

PHOTOGRAPHS are listed at the end of the Box and Folder Inventory

SEPARATION RECORD: OVERSIZED MATERIALS:
The following items have been removed to the locations given.

Oversize-EHA:	Exhibit Poster.  Includes the following items pasted on:  Englewood Hose Co., 2d annual reception, 1876 Trojan Social Club, annual soiree,1865 Prof. Russell, invitation to Tillotson's Hall, 1877 Englewood Social Club, 1874 The Eye to Business, I:3, 1878 May 4 World's Columbian Exposition, ticket, 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, ticket or Chicago Day, 1893 Oct 9 Sherwood Class of 1904, invitation Barney Brothers Revised Weekly Price Current, n.d. Junction Grove Sociable, 1868 The Eye (miniature ed.), 1880 Jan 1 Graeme Stewart, Candidate for Mayor,invitation, 1903 The Class of '88, Cook County Normal School, 1888 Monon Route, Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, flyer, n.d. B. S. Cooban & Co., card, 1905 Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad, ticket, n.d. Englewood Terpsichorean Club, ticket, 1874 Junction Grove School House, card for party, 1868
Oversize-EHA 1.2:	Promotion poster:  "Englewood Historical Association... Are You a Member?" n.d.

Provenance

From 1931 until 1985, the records of the EHA were kept at the Hiram Kelly Branch Library; located at 6151 S. Normal Boulevard.  In 1978, the Special Collections Division of the Chicago Public Library surveyed historical collections extant in the Library's branch system.  In February 1985, the Papers of the Englewood Historical Association were removed form the Hiram Kelly Branch Library and placed in the Special Collections Division's office for processing. 

Access

The Englewood Historical Association Records are available to the public for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room on the 9th floor of the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60605. The collection does not circulate, although photocopy and photoreproduction services are available depending upon the condition of the original materials. First time patrons to Special Collections must present photo identification and complete a Reader Registration Form. Telephone inquiries on this collection and other Special Collections holdings can be directed to 312-747-4875.

Box and Folder Inventory

BOX 1

Series I: Administrative Papers
1.  Agenda & minutes of meetings, ca. 1950.
2.  Constitution & By-laws, ca. 1941.
3.  Certificates of Incorporation & Membership, Dec. 1941.
4.  Directory, "Charter Members of the Englewood Historical Association, 1937.

Series II: Correspondence
5-6. Correspondence, 1931 - 1937; 1940 - 1953.

Series III: Englewoood Junior Historical Association
7. Agenda, 1941-42.

Constitution & By-laws, 1942.
Listing of Officers, 1942.  See also: NHRC-AV/PORTRAIT & FAMILY 
PHOTOGRAPHS: Tepper, Elmer.
Reports, 1942, 1950. 

8. Historical Essays & Sketches, n.d
9. Minutes, Beale School Chapter, 1942.
10. Minutes, D.S. Wentworth Chapter, 1942.  

Series IV: Forms
11. Forms, n.d

Series V: Newsclippings
12. Newsclippings -  Reunion, 1951.  

Series VI: Printed Materials
13.
Brochures, n.d
Fliers, n.d.
Pamphlets, n.d.
Posters, n.d. See: NHRC-OC.

14.
Second Annual Dinner-Program; 1938 Dec 6.

Series VII: Miscellany
15. Guest Book-Early Settlers' Meetings; 1937-1939, n.d. (also contains Kelly Branch Library guest book; 1913-1917, 1931)

PHOTOGRAPHS Clubs & Organizations
1.1-3  Englewood Historical Association
1.4a-c  Englewood Historical Association
1.5-7  Englewood Junior Historical Association

 Portrait & Family Photographs
 1.8  Tepper, Elmer