Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteThe Walla Walla Woman’s Reading Club was founded in 1894 as a reading group devoted to “a critical study of such writings as may be deemed best to promote the literary culture of its members.” The club’s officers typically consist of a president, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer. Membership is limited to 30 women; new members are nominated and voted upon by the club. In 1896, the club became a charter member of the Washington Federation of Women’s Clubs. At weekly or bimonthly meetings, the Woman’s Reading Club discusses literature and presents papers written by the members. Primarily a study club, the group has occasionally become involved in philanthropic endeavors and civic improvements in the town of Walla Walla, most notably participating in the effort to establish a public library from approximately 1896 to 1905. Content DescriptionThe first two boxes contain annual programs which document the dates and locations of meetings, the reading list for the year, and the membership of the club. The richest sources of information are the secretaries’ books, which contain minutes of the club’s meetings. The minutes record information about the day’s program, motions made, committees appointed, planning for special events, and amendments to the club constitution and bylaws. There are also four scrapbooks, which contain the annual programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera. The scrapbook presented to the club in 1922 by Mrs. Howard S. Brode contains several histories of the club written by members. The collection also contains meeting programs and resolutions issued by the Washington State Federation of Women’s Clubs (WSFWC) and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The Walla Walla Woman's Reading Club was active in the WSFWC, and the two programs document WSFWC conventions held in Walla Walla. The General Federation of Women's Clubs presented the resolutions at its Seattle convention in 1932. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Collection is open for research. Restrictions on Use :Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Copyright not transferred to Whitman College. Preferred Citation :Walla Walla Woman's Reading Club Records, Whitman College and Northwest Archives. Administrative Information
Arrangement :
By series.
Acquisition Information :
Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives prior to August 2004. Separated Materials :A signed 1904 edition of Carrie Rice Shaw's Where the Rhododendrons Grow was placed in the Whitman College and Northwest Archives Special Collections. Annual reports and bulletins of the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs were also placed in Special Collections. Detailed Description of the CollectionThe following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
General
Federation of Women's ClubsWashington State Federation of Women's
Clubs ( creator)
SubjectsThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Finding aid prepared by Colleen
McFarland and Emiko Hastings
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