Guide to the Women’s Club of Regent Square records, 1921-1994
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Women's Club of Regent Square records,
- Creator
- Women's Club of Regent Square (Pitsburgh, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- MSS#368
- Extent
- 1.5 linear feet (3 boxes)
- Date
- 1921-1994
- Abstract
- The Women's Club of Regent Square was founded in 1921 with the objective to create and encourage community spirit, and promote both civic and philanthropic measures. The collection includes meeting minutes, reports, by-laws, financial material, awards, newspaper clippings, yearbooks, and correspondence.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
The Women's Club of Regent Square was founded upon the ideas of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. First organized on October 29, 1895, the purpose of the General Federation of Women's Clubs was to unite the influence and interests of Pennsylvania women, and therefore promote legislative, civic, educational, moral and social issues. They believe their membership offers opportunities for friendship, self-development, and growth through voluntary service. When the Women's Club of Regent Square was founded in 1921, their objective was to create and encourage community spirit, and promote both civic and philanthropic measures. This strong community minded club was recognized not only by their accomplishments, but also by how they were able to make a name for themselves in this small Western Pennsylvania town. Raising money through bake sales, arts and crafts sales, raffles, and volunteer work, the club members were able to assist many individuals through the struggle of the Depression. The efforts of the Women's Club of Regent Square did not stop there. They also provided a scholarship fund for qualifying high school students in the area. Enough money was raised to erect a memorial in Frick Park in 1983, in honor of those who fought in World War I, the Korea Conflict, and Vietnam War.
The membership of the Women's Club of Regent Square was restricted to only those women residing in the Regent Square area; bounded on the east by Braddock Avenue, and on the north, south and west by Frick Park. This highly organized membership of President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer each had specific duties assigned for their position to represent and maintain stability in the club. Annual luncheons were held for both members and their guests to introduce newly elected members to the board, as well as, installation of new club officers. The monthly meetings, which discussed updates, publicity, and events, were originally held at the Regent Square School. To later cut down on facility expenses, members would host the meetings in their homes, providing a more personal and exclusive atmosphere. Because there were not enough members to perform all the duties that an active formal club requires, in June of 1988, a special meeting was held to vote whether or not to stay in the General Federation of Women's Club. In 1994, the Women's Club of Regent Square was no longer considered a Women's Club. There were no dues collected, but with the Treasury still in existence, they could still maintain status acting as a philanthropic club for the community that they represented.
Scope and Content Notes
The Women's Club of Regent Square records are housed in one archival box and are arranged alphabetically by folder title. The collection includes meeting minutes, reports, by-laws, financial material, awards, newspaper clippings, yearbooks, and correspondence. The meetings and reports consist of monthly meeting minutes for both the regular member meetings and the executive board meetings. Also included are the financial matters, budget, ledger and treasurers' report, which provide an insight into what the club was contributing to their community at that time. Media and correspondence includes letters of publication, "Club Talk" newsletters, newspaper clippings and guest books of those who attended the meetings. Articles on the war memorial are combined with honor roll names and scholarship information in folder one. Correspondence and press releases are included to make the community aware of their efforts, as well as, certificates and awards that were earned by the club itself. The miscellaneous file consists of reports from annual luncheons and seminars, contact listing of the officers and members, account expenses for traveling, donation and membership dues, by-laws and information about the Pennsylvania Federation of Women's Clubs.
Regular meeting minutes are contained in two folders, dating from 1960-1992. The pattern of record keeping reveals the dedication and efforts that individuals of this group made to keep the members interested and active in this club. The regular monthly meeting records were kept for the months of January-June, and September-December of the years recorded. Out-of-town meetings, events, or luncheons with other clubs often occupied the months of July and August.
Gaps in dates for records such as the executive board meeting minutes and some of the regular meeting minutes have occurred. Many times a member might hold a position for a long period of time, and become consistent with a certain style of record keeping, or duties which they have become personally involved in. When a member is no longer with the group, these records may not be kept the same way, or even kept up to date at all. The largest amount of material comes from the time between 1960 through the 1970s. The arrangement of this record group shows the progression, as well as, organization and commitment of the members of the Women's Club of Regent Square.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These records were obtained by institutional transfer from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania Archives as part of accession # 2000.0081 and # 2002.0120.
Preferred Citation
Women's Club of Regent Square records, 1921-1994, MSS#368, Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Michelle Ashley Wasko on December 11, 2002.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
To the photograph collection, one folder of photographs pertaining to the War Memorial in Frick Park c1984 has been separated as MSQ #368.
Subjects
- Women's Club of Regent Square (Pitsburgh, Pa.)
- Charitable societies--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Clubs--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Women--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.