Wednesday Literary Club records
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0306
Scope and Content
With the exception of annual programs and a photograph, all records kept by the Wednesday Literary Club prior to March 27, 1940 were destroyed in a fire that burned down the home of club member E.D. McIntosh. Since then records have been kept consistently and include minutes, correspondence, book reviews, annual programs and scrapbooks.
Dates
- 1893 - 2016
Access Restrictions
Open. All materials in this collection are available for research under supervised conditions in the Research Room.
Copy Restrictions
Copyrights associated with materials in this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
Biography / History
In 1892 Katherine Hadley, Emma Dawson and Emma Davisson met in Las Cruces to plan a literary society similar to those that they had enjoyed in their former residences in the eastern United States. Joined by other women they organized the Arcadian Club in October 1892 with 7 members. It was the second women’s club in New Mexico and the first in Las Cruces.
In 1896 the name changed to the Wednesday Literary Club, and in 1911 it was federated in the New Mexico Federation of Women’s Clubs. The club meets every second Wednesday to hear a review of a book presented by a club member. In the beginning years the club studied United States history, since then books reviewed have included classic literature, geography, current events, fiction, biography and many other subjects and genres.
Prominent members throughout the club’s history have included Emma Fall, Emma Barker, Amalia Freudenthal, Opal Lee Priestley, Elnora Wiley, and Katherine D. Stoes.
In 1896 the name changed to the Wednesday Literary Club, and in 1911 it was federated in the New Mexico Federation of Women’s Clubs. The club meets every second Wednesday to hear a review of a book presented by a club member. In the beginning years the club studied United States history, since then books reviewed have included classic literature, geography, current events, fiction, biography and many other subjects and genres.
Prominent members throughout the club’s history have included Emma Fall, Emma Barker, Amalia Freudenthal, Opal Lee Priestley, Elnora Wiley, and Katherine D. Stoes.
Extent
4.10 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Founded in 1892 as the Arcadian Club, the Wednesday Literary Club is the second oldest women’s club in New Mexico. Club records include minutes, correspondence, book reviews, annual programs and scrapbooks.
Separated Material
A copy of The Autobiography of a Pioneer Girl by Lou Curtis Foster has been cataloged in Special Collections. An undated travel account by Mrs. Luther Foster which had been inserted in the book has been filed in Box 4, Folder 2.
Processing Information
Processed by Charles Stanford, Laci Pope, Cecelia Romero, January 2008
- Title
- Guide to the Wednesday Literary Club records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Charles Stanford, Laci Pope, Cecelia Romero. Updated by Jennifer Olguin November, 2017
- Date
- January 2008
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository