Introduction | Agency History | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The collection of the Sandusky Mothers Federation, a women's organization dedicated to serving the community, consists of several scrapbooks spanning the years form 1945 to 1964, one book of club minutes from 1960 to 1965, and a handbook containing the club's by-laws, constitution, and history up to 1962. This collection was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections in May 1982 from the Sandusky Public Library.

Literary and property rights have been dedicated to the public and duplication is permitted for the purpose of preservation and scholarly research. The register was completed by Susan Irwin in August 1992.

Agency History

The Sandusky Mothers Federation was organized in the spring of 1945. Their purpose, as stated in their handbook, was to "...aim their effort along the lines of moral purity, health, and welfare by means of education and advisory work designed to guide and stimulate parents in the acquirement of knowledge and broader culture relating to youth." They accomplished this through various study groups which participated in bond sale drives, cancer, polio, heart, and mental health fund raising campaigns, Red Cross and bloodmobile work, and attendance at local school board meetings.

They also sponsored musical concerts, card parties, rummage and bake sales, movies, fashion shows, and speakers, from which proceeds were turned over to a worthy cause. The two largest undertakings of the organization included their annual Cerebral Palsy Children's Christmas Party and their Easter Seal Campaign. More information about the organization's history can be obtained in "The History and Handbook of Sandusky Mothers Federation, 1945-1962," and through study of the scrapbooks, both found in this collection.

Scope and Content

The Sandusky Mothers Federation collection consists of several scrapbooks and one book of meeting minutes. The scrapbooks mostly contain newspaper clippings and yearly programs, with a few photographs here and there. They are usually divided up by the different chapters within the Federation including the Children's Chapter, Modern Mothers, Better Mothers, Child Guidance Club, Future Citizens, Young Mothers, Progressive Mothers, Mothers Forum, etc. Then within each of these groups there are newspaper clippings and programs which deal with that particular group's activities. The scrapbooks do an excellent job of documenting the Federation's activities and the programs for the community and will give the researcher insight into the club's objectives and history.

Also included is a handbook which contains the Federation's consitution and by-laws, as well as a history of the organization from its founding, to 1962. It gives specific information on members, activities that the Federation was involved in and its evolution.

The minutes as well serve as a documentation of the organization's activities and community participation. However, they only span a brief time (1960-1965), and may be difficult to read as they are handwritten. The minutes give general information on meeting proceedings and some financial information, as well as information on projects that are being completed.

Overall, this collection gives insight into the activities of a women's organization dedicated to serving the community and the future of children. It documents their fundraising activities and their importance to the public as well as the roles women undertook to serve the community during this period in history.

Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES
May 1960-1965.
Arranged chronologically
This includes one record book containing handwritten minute proceedings, information on finances, special projects and their planning, and reports of the different chapters.

HISTORY AND HANDBOOK.
1962.
No arrangement.
This includes the club's constitution and by-laws, as well as a brief history of the organization from 1945 to 1962. It gives information on past presidents and members, the clubs activities, and awards they have received.

SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

SCRAPBOOKS
1945-1964.
Arranged chronologically
These include newspaper clippings, programs, and some photographs, which document the activities of the organization and the various honors they have received. Some of the scrapbooks are organized by chapter group, for example, Mothers Forum, Children's Charter, Child Guidance Club, Better Mothers, etc. Also included is one folder of newspaper articles.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS

NEGATIVES
1948, 1950.
Arranged chronologically
These include images of the Mothers Forum dinner and annual party, and two of the Federation's induction of new officers and President (1948).

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Minutes, May 1960-March 1964
2. History and Handbook, 1962
3. Photographic Negatives, 1948, 1950
4. Newspaper Articles, 1945-1959
5. Scrapbook, 1945-1948
6. Scrapbook, 1950-1952
7. Scrapbook, 1952-1954
8. Scrapbook, 1955-1957
9. Scrapbook, 1957-1958
10. Scrapbook, 1958-1961
11. Scrapbook, 1961-1964

Oversize Materials

1. Scrapbook, 1949-1950

Manuscripts by Subject | Women's Studies Collections