| Dates: | 1929-1996 (bulk dates 1952-1996) |
| Size: | 3 linear feet, 48 photographs |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | COAL |
| Provenance: | The Chicago Public Library acquired the collection in 1999 or 2000 when the organization disbanded. |
| Access: | No restrictions. |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Chicago Outdoor Art League Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library |
| Processing: | The collection was processed in September 2007. |
Historical Note
The American Park and Outdoor Art Association was founded in 1897 and the Women’s Auxiliary formed in 1900. The Chicago Branch of this group became the Chicago Outdoor Art League (C.O.A.L.) founded in 1900. They adopted the motto, “Leave The World More Beautiful Than You Found It,” and for almost a century sponsored gardening, beautification, and artistic programs in Chicago, the state of Illinois, and eventually nationwide.
The Chicago Outdoor Art League was a member of the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs and received honors from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs for their charitable work with Chicago school children. From 1904 to 1960 C.O.A.L. distributed flower and vegetable seeds to children for a nominal fee and sponsored school gardening shows with prizes. The group also promoted annual Arbor Day programs, donating many trees to Chicago schools.
The Chicago Outdoor Art League donated plants and made charitable contributions to many local organizations, hospitals and schools. These included the Chicago Public Schools, Jane Addams Hull House, Lighthouse for the Blind, Lincoln Park Zoo, Museum of Science and Industry, Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital, and the West Town Community Art Center, among others. The league also regularly awarded art and music scholarships and paid for murals on the railroad embankment along Hubbard Street. These activities are documented in correspondence, newsclippings, and C.O.A.L. yearbooks.
In 1935, C.O.A.L. voted to support the Garden Clubs of Illinois in building the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield, designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. Three years later C.O.A.L. built a council ring with flagstones and a central fireplace: council rings are a characteristic element in Jensen landscapes. Both Jensen and sculptor Lorado Taft served on C.O.A.L. advisory committees. Between 1954 and 1981 C.O.A.L. sponsored the planting of tens of thousands of trees in the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois.
The League’s charity extended nationwide in their contributions to gardens in Alaska, Redwoods preservation, and the restoration of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
The Chicago Outdoor Art League disbanded in 1999 or 2000.
Scope and Content
The collection contains 7 scrapbooks, 6 of which are disassembled and one that remains intact, some loose lying papers which had been glued [possibly into a scrapbook] at one time, yearbooks, and 48 individual photographs.
The first 6 scrapbooks contain papers of the Chicago Outdoor Art League including correspondence, announcements, reports, histories, order forms, prize ribbons, photographs and newsclippings. Date ranges for these scrapbooks are as follows:
- Scrapbook A, 1951-1956
- Scrapbook B, 1952
- Scrapbook C, 1935-1958
- Scrapbook D, 1952-1966
- Scrapbook E, 1955-1970
- Scrapbook F, 1966-1972
- Bound Scrapbook, 1943-1949
Bound Scrapbook, 1943-1949 contains no material related to the activities of C.O.A.L. The Flossmoor League of Women Voters presented it to longtime C.O.A.L. member, Rose R. Murfrey, in 1943 and it contains material related to that organization along with family items added until 1949. Loose lying papers range from 1972 to 1995 and include the same types of materials in the scrapbooks. C.O.A.L. yearbooks range from 1929 to 1996, not inclusive. Photographs document C.O.A.L. members and functions, such as school garden shows, and range from 1950 to 1966.
Histories of C.O.A.L. can be found in Box 1, Folder 33; Box 1, Folder 55; Box 1, Folder 61; and Box 2, Folder 3.
Photographs, 1950-1966
These photographs were found lying loose and it’s believed they were once stuck into a scrapbook. Most of the photographs show children working in gardens, or at flower and garden shows. C.O.A.L. was involved with establishing Victory Gardens during the Second World War in various schools and at least one photograph (1.30) is of that time. The other photographs, mostly undated, appear to be of Victory Gardens but could also be of later gardens, organized by C.O.A.L. in the post war years.
Arrangement
Most of the material had been maintained in scrapbooks each covering a range of years. With the exception of Scrapbook B, the scrapbooks were disassembled and materials placed into folders maintaining the original order. Scrapbook B is contained in its entirety in Box 1, Folder 9 with the materials glued to hand-painted pages. The loose lying material had likely been glued into a scrapbook at one time. They were received in a rough subject and chronological filing system which was maintained whenever possible. The bound scrapbook dedicated to Rose R. Murfrey from the Flossmoor League of Women Voters was removed to Oversize Box 1. Oversize materials are listed at the end of the Container List. Yearbooks and individual photographs are arranged chronologically. Additional photographs can be found in the scrapbooks.
Container List
Scrapbook A, 1951-1956
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Photocopy of leather scrapbook cover, circa 1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Typescript notes regarding the organization’s activities and leaders, circa 1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Newsclippings regarding the organization and its activities, 1951-1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Order forms for Chicago Public Schools seed program, 1951 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Chicago Public Schools Bulletin announcing C.O.A.L.’s seed program, 1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Letter of commendation from Governor Adlai Stevenson, March 28, 1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Postcard announcements of meetings, luncheons, parties, etc., 1951-1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Printed map of the northern California coastline, undated |
Scrapbook B, 1952
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Typed report, program, newsclippings, ribbons, photographs, 1952 |
Scrapbook C, 1935-1958
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Typescript documentation on C.O.A.L.’s youth conservation programs, circa 1952-1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Newsclipping regarding the Gardening Program: “Outdoor Art League Gardening Program Wins National Award,” Chicago Daily Tribune, July 23, 1954 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Ribbons awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes and “Honorable Mention,” undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Newsclippings regarding the Myra Bradwell School’s Parent Teachers Association floral show contest, 1952, 1955, 1956:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Typescript letters and mimeographs regarding Chicago schools and “Operation Green Thumb,” undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Order forms for seeds and seedlings, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Correspondence from Chicago Board of Education, Archdiocese of Chicago School Board, Poe Elementary School regarding “Operation Green Thumb,” 1955, 1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Mayfair Parent Teachers Association Annual Garden & Hobby Show, information sheets, thank you card, 1954-1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Newsclippings regarding Mayfair School’s Parent Teachers Association Garden & Hobby Show, 1954, 1955:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Flower and Garden Shows entry forms and programs from Wm. J. Onahan School, Gage Park, Joseph E. Gary School and James G. Blaine Elementary School, 1955-1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Announcement, program and thank you letter related to gift of trees to the Frank W. Reilly Elementary School, 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Letter from Thaddeus Lubera, Asst. Superintendent of Schools regarding service on C.O.A.L’s Advisory Board, August 16, 1954 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Seed Packets [empty], undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Correspondence from General Federation of Women’s Clubs regarding seed program, 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Newsclippings regarding student artists and art scholarships sponsored by C.O.A.L, 1953-1956:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Christmas card designed by student artist winner, Conrad Fialkowski of Chicago Vocational High School, 1954 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Thank you letters regarding art scholarships from Hiroko Date, and James W. Crow, Director Chicago Vocational High School, 1955, 1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Information about music scholarships sponsored by C.O.A.L., undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Correspondence regarding donations made by C.O.A.L. to non-profit organizations & hospitals, 1954-1956 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | Documents relating to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden, 1935-1958:
Newsclippings:
Notice from unidentified publication, circa 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden Foundation, invitation to membership, undated Newsclippings relating to C.O.A.L. membership in the Lincoln Memorial Garden Association, 1954:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | Modern Living Exposition Flower Show ticket, C.O.A.L. entry form, 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 | Ribbons won at the Modern Living Exposition Flower Show, 1954, 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 33 | Printed history of C.O.A.L. extracted from annual yearbook, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 34 | C.O.A.L. letterhead, undated |
Scrapbook D, 1952-1966
| Box 1 | Folder 35 | Newsclippings about C.O.A.L. activities, 1952-1958:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 36 | Award certificate to C.O.A.L. from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, 1952-1953 |
| Box 1 | Folder 37 | Chicago Park District Arbor Day Proclamation, April 2, 1957 [See oversize Box 1 Folder 1], correspondence, program, statement [speech?], student essay, newsclippings, 1957, 1958 |
| Box 1 | Folder 38 | Order forms & announcements for seeds and seedlings, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 39 | Form letters to Chicago Parent Teacher Associations enlisting help with seed sales program, 1957, 1958 |
| Box 1 | Folder 40 | Announcements, correspondence from Chicago Public Schools regarding C.O.A.L.’s “Operation Green Thumb” project, 1956-1959 |
| Box 1 | Folder 41 | Correspondence from the Chicago Metropolitan schools regarding seed orders and donations, 1956-1959 |
| Box 1 | Folder 42 | Correspondence about donations, Veterans Administration Hines Hospital, Sarah Hackett Stevenson Memorial Home, 1956-1957 |
| Box 1 | Folder 43 | Newsclippings, Myra Bradwell School Garden Show:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 44 | Letter from Chicago Vocational High School about art scholarship, newsclipping, 1957 |
| Box 1 | Folder 45 | Newsclippings on C.O.A.L. activities, 1957-1966:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 46 | Announcements regarding tree sales, 1959 |
| Box 1 | Folder 47 | Postcards of Wayfarer’s Chapel, Portuguese Bend, California, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, undated |
Scrapbook E, 1955-1970
| Box 1 | Folder 48 | Roster of Officers and Directors 1955-1956 [extracted from annual year book] |
| Box 1 | Folder 49 | Newsclipping, “Art League Fights Litter” Thursday, April 17, 1958 [Chicago Sun Times?] |
| Box 1 | Folder 50 | Invitations to various club activities, including the “Pink Lustre Tea,” “Gala Spring Luncheon,” “Conservation Day,” “Indian Friendship Day,” “Card Party” and other holiday parties and outdoor commemorations, 1960-1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 51 | Club meeting announcements and other news mailings, 1962-1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 52 | Correspondence regarding donations to the Veterans Administration Hines Hospital, American Indian Center, Young Women’s Christian Association of Chicago, 1961-1962; Letter from newly appointed District President, Mrs. Cyril H. Brown, to Mrs. Henry C. Schorr outgoing District President, April 25, 1965 |
| Box 1 | Folder 53 | List of Honorary Board of Directors, 1963-1970 |
| Box 1 | Folder 54 | Illustration, mountain, Japan Airlines, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 55 | Typed history of C.O.A.L., undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 56 | Program, Chicago Park District, 13th Annual Grant Park Arbor Day Observance, April 26, 1968 |
Scrapbook F, 1966-1972
| Box 1 | Folder 57 | Scrapbook label, Chicago Outdoor Art League [reads 1965-1972] and clipping of illustration, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 58 | “Club Receives Gifts of Art,” Union League Men and Events, Vol. XLII, No. 4, April 1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 59 | Club meeting announcements and other news mailings, 1966-1972 |
| Box 1 | Folder 60 | Programs of various club meetings, including the “My Fair Ladies” luncheon, April 1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 61 | “History of the Chicago Outdoor Art League,” by Helen Brown, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 62 | Correspondence relating to club activities, 1968-1971 |
| Box 1 | Folder 63 | Photocopies of news-clippings:
|
| Box 1 | Folder 64 | Obituary for Mrs. Myrtle Dean Clark, July 7, 1967; “A Tribute to Myrtle R. Walgreen,” by Helen Brown, February 15, 1972 |
Bound Scrapbook, 1943-1949
| Box 1 | Folder 65 | Presentation scrapbook dedicated to Rose R. Murfrey, an active member of C.O.A.L. Presented by the Flossmoor League of Women Voters, May 4, 1943. Murfrey family items appended up to 1949 [See oversize Box 1] |
Loose lying, 1972-1995
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Review of activities for 1972-1973; funeral card, eulogy, card [place card?], notes from members, 1976-1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Newsclippings, Alice MacKinlay’s 101st birthday, Chicago Tribune, October 3, 1974, Club Newsline, c.1985 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Rainbow Division, C.O.A.L., 1975 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Account Ledgers, 1976-1977 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Newsletters and mailings regarding C.O.A.L. meetings, programs and activities, 1976-1989 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Printed programs from club meetings and proposed program agendas, 1976-1995 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Drafts of C.O.A.L. by-laws, 1977 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | C.O.A.L meeting minutes, 1980-1981 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Community Improvement Program application and Citation of Achievement awarded to C.O.A.L., 1980-1982 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Newsclippings, potential recipients of C.O.A.L. donations:
|
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Correspondence about donations made to schools, hospitals, churches and public television, 1980-1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs, Past President’s Club, yearbook 1980-1982, dues notice, 1991, annual spring luncheon announcement, 1994, note from program chairman, Mrs. James R. Bryant, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Histories of C.O.A.L., “Leave the World More Beautiful Than You Found It,” by Ellen Lanyon, published in Heresies, No.13 Vol. 4, No.1, 1981, “The Chicago Outdoor Art League - 80 Years of Ecology,” by Ellen Lanyon, undated, history of C.O.A.L. by Ellen Lanyon, Sr., undated, history of C.O.A.L, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | President’s Annual Report, 1981-1982, meeting minutes, 1982-1984 |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | Invoices for C.O.A.L. expenditures, 1981, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | Information regarding planned membership social outings, catering menus, 1982 |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | Newsclippings on topics of interest to C.O.A.L.:
|
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | Newsletters and mailings regarding C.O.A.L. meetings, programs and activities, 1990-1996 |
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | Correspondence about donations made to social agencies, charitable organizations and City of Chicago’s Department of the Environment, 1992-1995 |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | Blank membership cards, undated |
C.O.A.L. Yearbooks
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | 1929-1930 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | 1951-1952 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | 1960-1961 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | 1969-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | 1970-1971 (2 copies) |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | 1971-1972 (2 copies) |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | 1972-1973 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | 1973-1974 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | 1974-1975 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | 1975-1976 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | 1976-1977 |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | 1977-1978 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | 1978-1979 |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | 1980-1981 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | 1981-1982 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | 1982-1983 |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | April 17, 1984 - April 15, 1986 |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | 1986-1987 (2 copies) |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | 1987-1988 (2 copies) |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 | 1990-1991 |
| Box 3 | Folder 21 | 1991-1992 |
| Box 3 | Folder 22 | 1992-1993 |
| Box 3 | Folder 23 | 1993-1994 |
| Box 3 | Folder 24 | 1995-1996 |
Oversize
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Chicago Park District Arbor Day Proclamation, April 2, 1957 [Removed from Box 1 Folder 37] |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Newsclippings, Bradwell School, Southeast Economist, September 1957 [Removed from Box 1 Folder 43] |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Presentation scrapbook dedicated to Rose R. Murfrey, an active member of C.O.A.L. Presented by the Flossmoor League of Women Voters, May 4, 1943. Murfrey family items appended to 1949 [Removed from Box 1 Folder 65] |
Photographs
| 1.1 | Unidentified school, exterior, 1950 |
| 1.2 | School children planting tree at unidentified school, exterior, 1950 |
| 1.3 | Dedication of tree, unidentified school, 1950 |
| 1.4 | Planted tree, exterior of unidentified school, 1950 |
| 1.5 | Michael M. Byrne School, students planting irises, 1952 |
| 1.6 | Children tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.7 | Students at unidentified school’s Flower & Garden Show, interior, circa 1952 |
| 1.8 | Students at unidentified school’s Flower & Garden Show, interior, circa 1952 |
| 1.9 | Children tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.10 | Children tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.11 | Children harvesting vegetables, unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.12 | Student receiving award at unidentified school’s Flower & Garden Show, circa 1952 |
| 1.13 | Students at unidentified school’s Flower & Garden Show, circa 1952 |
| 1.14 | Students at unidentified school’s Flower & Garden Show, circa 1952 |
| 1.15 | Students at unidentified school’s Flower & Garden Show, circa 1952 |
| 1.16 | Children tending unidentified garden, unidentified school, circa 1952 |
| 1.17 | Children tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.18 | Child with flowers in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.19 | Child holding vegetables in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.20 | Child tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.21 | Child holding vegetables in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.22 | Children tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.23 | Child in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.24 | Children tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.25 | Adult and child tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.26 | Child in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.27 | Child in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.28 | Child in unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.29 | Child tending unidentified garden, circa 1952 |
| 1.30 | Victory Garden display, Wadsworth School in Jackson Park, circa 1952 |
| 1.31 | Garden Show display, circa 1952 |
| 1.32 | Flower and Garden Show display, circa 1952 |
| 1.33 | Flower and Garden Show display in unidentified school, [with C.O.A.L. members as judges?] 1953 |
| 1.34 | Flower and Garden Show, students of Michael M. Byrne School [with C.O.A.L. member as judge?] 1953 |
| 1.35 | Postcard, Illinois State Conservation Training Camp, Lake Villa, Illinois, circa 1955 |
| 1.36 | Postcard, Illinois State Conservation Training Camp, Lake Villa, Illinois, circa 1955 |
| 1.37 | Flower and Garden Show, students of Michael M. Byrne School [with C.O.A.L. members as judges?] 1956 |
| 1.38 | Flower and Garden Show, students of Michael M. Byrne School [with C.O.A.L. members as judges?] 1956 |
| 1.39 | Flower and Garden Show, students of Michael M. Byrne School [with C.O.A.L. members as judges?] 1956 |
| 1.40 | C.O.A.L. President, Helen Brown & Retiring President, Elena Schorr at Grant Park Arbor Day, 1963 |
| 1.41 | C.O.A.L. President, Elena Schorr, Dr. Schorr, Mrs. Llewellyn, Mrs. Donahue, Mrs. Lanyon and unidentified guests at [50th anniversary?] tea, 1963 |
| 1.42 | C.O.A.L. members and Allerton Park Art School winner, 1963 (2 copies) |
| 1.43 | Presentation of Epperly painting to be given to General Franco of Spain, Sr. Villenuevos, Consul General of Spain, niece, and Sr. Lew, Consul of Panama, 1966 |
| 1.44 | Woman tending unidentified garden, undated |
| 1.45 | C.O.A.L. members with Mayor Richard J. Daley, undated |
| 1.46 | Flower and Garden Show, student of McKay School, undated |
| 1.47 | Flower and Garden Show at McKay School, C.O.A.L. members, undated |
| 1.48 | Flower and Garden Show, students of McKay School, undated |
