Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Oregon, Women's Relief Corps, Meade Corps #18 records , 1889-1916

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Women's Relief Corps (U.S.). Meade Corps #18 (Oregon City, Or.)
Title
Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Oregon, Women's Relief Corps, Meade Corps #18 records
Dates
1889-1916 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.5 linear feet, (5 folders)
Collection Number
B 071
Summary
The Union Veterans of the Civil War formed the Grand Army of the Republic. In Oregon there were several GAR posts; the Meade Corps #18 of the Women's Relief Corps was associated with Oregon City post #2. After the turn of the 20th Century, the GAR served largely as an organization for the promotion of patriotism and the commemoration of Memorial Day. The Women's Relief Corps was recognized as an auxiliary in 1881 by the Grand Army of the Republic. Corps # 18 collection consists of meeting minutes, a cashbook, and a ledger.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Union Veterans of the Civil War formed the Grand Army of the Republic. Requirement for membership was simply evidence of service in the armed forces. In Oregon there were several GAR posts, the first being established on September 28, 1882. The Meade Corps #18 of the Women's Relief Corps was associated with Oregon City post #2.

In the early stages of the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization was largely known for its political power. After the turn of the 20th century, membership began to decline as did the organization's influence. During this time, the GAR served largely as an organization for the promotion of patriotism and the commemoration of Memorial Day.

The Women's Relief Corps was recognized as an auxiliary in 1881 by the Grand Army of the Republic. The Women's Relief Corps was referred to as a sister organization of the Grand Army of the Republic. Membership in the WRC was determined by vote of the members, and the women were either related to or married to a member of the GAR. The WRC's main purpose appeared to be a service organization dedicated to helping the GAR. They often served refreshments, sewed flags for the post halls, and raised charity funds that the GAR distributed

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Oregon, Women's Relief Corps, Meade Corps # 18 collection consists of meeting minutes, a cashbook, and a ledger. The minutes are bound in three separate volumes, arranged chronologically, beginning in 1889 and continuing through 1916. The minutes largely contain raw outlines of the meetings. The cashbook contains the group's financial records kept by the treasurer from 1905 to 1916. The ledger contains attendance records and some financial records from 1903 to 1914.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

Collection is located with other small manuscript collections.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Patriotic societies--Oregon
  • Women--Oregon--Societies and clubs

Corporate Names

  • Women's Relief Corps (U.S.). Meade Corps #18 (Oregon City, Or.)