Kiwanis International began in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan as a business networking organization. The mission changed a few years later, however, to focus on service work in localized communities. The organization grew rapidly in the United States and Canada during the mind-20th century, and reaching Europe in the 1960s. Women were allowed to join Kiwanis International in 1987. Today, Kiwanis operates in over 80 countries worldwide.
The Kiwanis Club of Aspinwall formed in 1944 and was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Springdale. Some of the early events they organized were Ladies Nights and Merit Award celebrations. In 1971, the group changed its name to Kiwanis Club of Fox Chapel Area. As a service orientated association, Aspinwall members participated in fundraising initiatives and community service events, donating funds to medical research, supporting the local high school band and sports teams, and sponsoring the Community Recreation Association.
The Kiwanis Club of Fox Chapel Area Records contain meeting minutes from the board of directors (1952-1963), annual and monthly reports from the club's secretary (1981-1984), and regular club meeting minutes (1963-1974). Information includes attendence records, meeting activity, and club activity concerning events and fundraising. There is also a scrapbook highlighting the first ten years of the club's history, photographs from anniversary parties, and brochures and instructional books from Kiwanis International. There are also three audiocassettes from the 1978 Kiwanis International Convention in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Gift from Sidney Santman in 1998.
Archives accession # 1998.0062
Kiwanis of Fox Chapel Area Records, 1940-1996, MSS 953 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Preliminary processing by Gloria Hendrickson on 04/26/13.
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.