Austin Woman’s Club Records

Dates: 1912-1965
Size: 1 linear foot
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: Archives_AWC
Provenance: records of the Austin Woman’s Club were collected by various Austin historical associations and deposited in the Austin Branch Library’s historical collection over a period of 30 years. In November 1984, Special Collections, working under the auspices of a Dr. Scholl Foundation Grant, processed the papers according to archival standards and transferred them to its office for storage and access.
Access: No restrictions
Citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Austin Woman’s Club Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library.

Historical Note

The Austin Woman’s Club (AWC) was organized in January 1896, and incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in July of the same year. The club’s motto was “the world is my neighbor.” Article I of the AWC’s By-Laws, as amended April 21, 1947, describe its objectives as being “intellectual and social culture, general philanthropic work, a united effort toward self-improvement and the elevation of humanity.” AWC activities were divided among the following committees, then called departments: American Citizenship and Public Welfare, American Home, Art and Literature, Education, and Music. Bimonthly meetings and other programs included such diverse topics as the effect of DDT on Garfield Park, international relations and literature charades.

Scope and Content

The AWC has been divided into three series: newspaper clippings, yearbooks and scrapbooks.

Series 1: Newspaper clippings, 1912-1944

This series contains newspaper clippings about AWC’s activities and members. Most of the clippings, which are arranged in chronological order, are from Austin newspapers.

Series 2: Yearbooks, 1934-1965

AWC yearbooks contain directory information, financial reports, a record of club activities, schedules of future events, and the AWC constitution and by-laws. This series contains an almost complete run of yearbooks from 1934 to 1965. The yearbooks are arranged in chronological order.

Series 3: Scrapbooks, 1931-1938

This series contains five scrapbooks of newspaper clippings dating from 1931 to 1947. The clippings provide a record of AWC activities and also some biographical information on club members. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.

Container List

Series 1: Newspaper clippings, 1912-1944

Box 1 Folder 1 Newspaper clippings, 1912-1644

Series 2: Yearbooks, 1934-1965

Box 1 Folder 2 Yearbooks, 1917-1918, 1922-1923
Box 1 Folder 3 Yearbooks, 1934-1935, 1936-1937
Box 1 Folder 4 Yearbooks, 1937-1938
Box 1 Folder 5 Yearbooks, 1938-1939
Box 1 Folder 6 Yearbooks, 1939-1940
Box 1 Folder 7 Yearbooks, 1940-1941
Box 1 Folder 8 Yearbooks, 1941-1942
Box 1 Folder 9 Yearbooks, 1943-1944
Box 1 Folder 10 Yearbooks, 1945-1946
Box 1 Folder 11 Yearbooks, 1946-1947
Box 1 Folder 12 Yearbooks, 1947-1948
Box 1 Folder 13 Yearbooks, 1948-1949
Box 2 Folder 1 Yearbooks, 1949-1950
Box 2 Folder 2 Yearbooks, 1950-1951
Box 2 Folder 3 Yearbooks, 1951-1952
Box 2 Folder 4 Yearbooks, 1952-1953
Box 2 Folder 5 Yearbooks, 1954-1955
Box 2 Folder 6 Yearbooks, 1955-1956
Box 2 Folder 7 Yearbooks, 1956-1957
Box 2 Folder 8 Yearbooks, 1957-1958
Box 2 Folder 9 Yearbooks, 1958-1959
Box 2 Folder 10 Yearbooks, 1961-1962
Box 2 Folder 11 Yearbooks, 1963-1964
Box 2 Folder 12 Yearbooks, 1964-1965

Series 3: Scrapbooks, 1931-1947

Box 3 Folder 1 Scrapbooks, 1931-1934
Box 3 Folder 2 Scrapbooks, 1935-1936
Box 3 Folder 3 Scrapbooks, 1937-1938
Box 4 Folder 4 Scrapbooks, 1945-1946
Box 4 Folder 5 Scrapbooks, 1946-1947
Print this page