Women's City Club of Rochester Records, 1922-1934

Summary

Extent:
0.75 Cubic Feet 2 boxes 3 volumes.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Women's City Club of Rochester records. [box #,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

The Women's City Club of Rochester was a reform-oriented social organization that operated in Rochester, New York in the early 20th century. This collection includes correspondence, reports, minute books and miscellaneous papers from the organization. The materials in the collection date from 1922 to 1934.

Biographical / historical:

Accounts differ as to the official date of foundation of the Women's City Club. There is evidence of the club's existence as early as 1910; however, the group may not have officially incorporated until 1919. Most accounts, however, state that the club formed in 1911, with membership was limited to 600. This limit would be dropped and the club reached a peak membership of approximately 2000 in 1925. The Women's City Club was organized "for the specific purpose of making Rochester the city wherein you always want to live," by "taking an active interest in civic movements, in the conduct of municipal affairs, and in all legislation which effects [sic] the welfare of Rochester's citizens." It grew out of the existing City Club of Rochester, founded in 1910, which allowed women to attend some of its lectures. In the words of a 1914 Democrat & Chronicle article, "It is the object of the club to be of educational value to women, not merely entertain. By arousing thought and discussion, it hopes to develop intelligent public opinion."

The Women's City Club was a lunch club, hosting a lecture series, often on controversial topics of the day. It also supported local arts and culture. A reform-oriented group, it advocated for such causes as a city manager charter, a central library, smoke abatement, and a drive for pasteurized milk. The club's Central Library Committee was instrumental in raising support for a central library in the early 1920s. The organization's various club houses also provided meeting space for other women's organizations and a place for general female socializing. After succeeding (with the aid of George Eastman) in its campaign for a city manager and after initiating other reforms, the Women's City Club of Rochester suspended operations in 1930, disbanding in the fall of that year, and finally disbursed its property in 1935.

Acquisition information:
Donated to the Rochester Public Library circa 1938.
Custodial history:

This is an artificial collections whose origins and transfer history is unknown. The collection was removed from RVF2 (the Pamphlet File), along with bound manuscript material removed from inner and outer stacks.

Processing information:

Several volumes of manuscript material were located in stacks in acidic binders. These materials were removed from the binders and rehoused in archival folders in box 2.

Arrangement:

This collection consists of two boxes and three volumes.
Women's City Club of Rochester Central Library Committee (1923-1926) Correspondence (1930-1934) Membership, Officers, Constitution (1914-1931) Minutes and Financial (1922-1931) Miscellaneous (1924-1926)

Physical description:
Good
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Clubs -- New York (State) -- Rochester

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

Women's City Club of Rochester records. [box #,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org