Center for Archival Collections

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

 Introduction

The records of the Wood County Chapter of the American Red Cross date from 1946 to 1986. The collection consists of meeting and board minutes, annual and committee reports, correspondence, scrapbooks, newsclippings, and photographs. In addition, the chapter charter, wills, and financial records in the collection provide an overview of the Red Cross and its history in Wood County.

The records were donated and transferred to the Center for Archival Collections in April 1985 with the cooperation of Frank E. Huber. There are no restrictions on the research use of this collection and duplication is permitted for purposes of preservation and scholarly research. The collection was processed by Elaine Paulette in May 1986, and revised by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts, in February 1992 and July 2009.

 Agency History

The Wood County Red Cross is a District Office of the American National Red Cross, which was founded in 1881. The Wood County Chapter became a charter member in June 1917. In July, 1968, the Wood County and Greater Toledo Area Chapters of the Red Cross merged.

Membership in the Wood County Red Cross is open to volunteers who serve to coordinate programs in four areas: disaster relief, safety, youth programs, and the Blood Bank.

The agency was housed in several locations until 1955, when a new building was erected at the present location, 150 Gorrell Avenue, Bowling Green, Ohio.

 Scope and Content

The Wood County Red Cross collection contains records from 1946 to 1986, with the bulk from the late 1940s through the mid 1960s. The meeting and board minutes (1955-1968; 1985-1986) contain the most complete information, noting the organization's activities, projects, and policies. This source is limited, however, by the fact that the earlier minutes are not available. There is also a noteworthy gap in the minutes from 1969-1984, which unfortunately includes the activities related to the Blizzard of 1978.

Newspaper clippings from the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune and the BG News reflect the organization's active role in community affairs, particularly highlighting Blood Drive programs. The scrapbooks document disasters in Wood County, particularly tornados in 1948 and 1953 and the aid which the Red Cross provided in each situation. As with the minutes, there is a gap in coverage for the period of the 1978 Blizzard.

The photographic portion of the collection provides visual documentation of the agency's service programs, and illustrates the importance of the disaster service which the agency provides. The correspondence and wills, financial records, and information concerning the building of the Gorrell office complete the historical picture of the Wood County Red Cross.

 Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES
Apr 21, 1955-Nov 18, 1960; Jan 19, 1961-June 5, 1968; Sept 24, 1985-Feb 25, 1986
Arranged chronologically
Includes location and date of meeting, some attendance records, motions and agreements, upcoming projects, and committee reports.

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS
1948-1974 (scattered)
Arranged chronologically
Includes Boards of Directors and committee members.

CORRESPONDENCE

RED CROSS CORRESPONDENCE
June 1950-June 4, 1974; Apr 27, 1982-March 20, 1986 (scattered)
Arranged chronologically
Includes correspondence from recipients of Red Cross services, and official correspondence.

REPORTS

ANNUAL REPORTS
1950-1961 (scattered)
Arranged chronologically
Includes programs conducted, treasurer's reports, and committee reports.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

CONTRACTS
July 1955
Includes bids, architects proposal, and survey of 150 Gorrell Avenue.

WILLS
1958-1960
Arranged chronologically
Includes correspondence and documents concerning bequests to the Wood County Red Cross.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

FINANCIAL RECORDS - ROCKWELL TRUST
July 1, 1952-Apr 10, 1972
Arranged chronologically
Includes bank statements of account, and inventory and appraisal of securities related to the Nellie Rockwell Trust.

FINANCIAL REPORTS
June 30, 1959-June 30, 1962
Arranged chronologically
Includes chapter operating budget, and audit reports.

SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

NEWSCLIPPINGS (LOOSE)
1940s-1980s
No arrangement
Newspaper clippings from the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune and other local paper documenting Red Cross activities, primarily Blood Bank visits. Many clippings undated.

SCRAPBOOKS
1946-1954; 1951-1953; 1952-1975; 1953
Arranged chronologically
Albums (all wrapped) of newspaper clippings and photoprints of Red Cross activities. One scrapbook is devoted solely to the 1953 tornado and relief efforts.

PRINTED MATERIAL

CERTIFICATES
1917, 1945, 1977, 1978
Arranged chronologically
Local charter certificate and recognition certificates including certificate signed by Alvin Perkins, mayor of Bowling Green, proclaiming Red Cross Month.

PAMPHLETS
1981
History of the American Red Cross, 1881-1981.

PROGRAMS
1954-1986
Arranged chronologically
Recognition programs and 1981 volunteer roster.

PRINTED MATERIAL - MISCELLANEOUS
1950-1982
Arranged chronologically
Includes first aid procedures, blood donor cards, "The International Red Cross in Geneva", and newsletters.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

POSITIVE PRINTS
1948-1960s
Includes photographs of disaster services, and programs of the Red Cross, most unidentified.

ARTIFACTS

FLAG
n.d.
Small Red Cross flag.

 Inventory

Box 1

1. Minutes, 1955-1960
2. Minutes, 1961-1968; 1985-1986
3. Membership records, 1948-1974
4. Correspondence, 1950-1974; 1982-1986
5. Annual reports, 1950-1961
6. Contracts, July 1955
7. Wills, 1958-1960
8. Rockwell Trust transaction statements, 1957-1967
9. Rockwell Trust inventory and appraisal, 1952-1968, 1972
10. Chapter budget and audits, 1959-1962
11. Listing of Board/Committee members, 1949-1960

Box 2

1. Scrapbook material - loose clippings 1957-1959
2. Scrapbook material - loose clippings 1940s-1980s
3. Scrapbook material - loose clippings 1940s-1980s
4. Scrapbook material - loose clippings 1940s-1980s
5. Certificates, 1917, 1945, 1977-78
6. Pamphlets, 1933-1981
7. Programs, 1954-1986
8. Printed - Miscellaneous, 1950-1982
9. Photographs, 1948-1960s
10. Photographs (with tape damage), 1948-1960s
11. Flag, n.d.

Box 3 (Oversized)

1. Scrapbook, 1946-1954
2. Scrapbook, 1951-1953

Box 4 (Oversized)

1. Scrapbook, 1952-1975
2. Scrapbook, 1985-1988

Wrapped (Oversized)

1. Scrapbook (Tornado), 1953

Manuscripts by Subject | Miscellaneous Collections