Register of the Glass Valley Homemakers Club Records, 1936-1995


Summary Information
Title: Register of the Glass Valley Homemakers Club Records
Inclusive Dates: 1936-1995

Creator:
  • Glass Valley Homemakers Club
Call Number: River Falls Mss BX

Quantity: 2.6 c.f. (4 archives boxes and 1 record center carton)

Repository:
Archival Locations:
UW-River Falls, Chalmer Davee Library / River Falls Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:
Records, 1936-1995, concerning activities of the club, an extension homemakers group in Pierce County, Wisconsin, as well as the personal activities of Dorothy Killian, club historian. Included are Secretary's minute books, 1938-1939, 1950-1952, 1963-1995; scrapbooks containing clippings, letters, programs, photographs and other documents, 1952-1988; home demonstration project leader books, 1936-1938; and miscellany.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-rf00bx
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Biography/History

The Glass Valley Homemaker Club was organized in 1929 and named for the area around County Road E and Highway 29 east of River Falls, Wisconsin. In 1950, the Pierce County Council of Extension Homemakers began with fourteen clubs on the council; the Glass Valley Club was one of the fourteen. Membership in the County Association automatically included membership in the Wisconsin Extension Homemakers Council, National Association, Country Women's Council and Associated Country Women of the World.

Made up of rural residents, the clubs first members were mostly the wives of farmers, but throughout the club's history its membership base grew to include non-farmers, full and part time workers and even a few town residents. The club's purpose is to develop, strengthen and correlate all interests which advance home and community life; to develop leadership and initiative among Wisconsin people; and to foster the development of children, homes and community life. To fulfill its purpose, the club participated in many activities, including volunteering in the community, conducting home demonstration projects in sewing, clothing and cooking and collecting for Pennies for Friendship and the food pantry. The club was also active socially meeting once per month, annual summer outings and Christmas parties.

Scope and Content Note

The Glass Valley Homemakers Club collection consists of a secretary's book dated from the time of the council's establishment in 1950-1952 and from 1963-1972, 1974-1985, 1987-1990, 1992-1993 and 1995. The the bulk of the remainder of the material includes several scrapbooks dating from 1952-1988. The first scrapbook (1952-1973) was started by Ann Edgar and subsequently added to by Dorothy Killian. There are individual scrapbooks for the years 1952-1977. Rounding out the collection are cultural arts reports, 1974; home demonstration project leader books, 1936-1938; newsletters from the Pierce County family living agent, 1994-1995; new clippings, 1992-1993, undated, and miscellaneous handouts, undated.

The Secretary's books were the official record books of the club. The books contained forms in triplicate so copies of the club's minutes, attendance record and activities could be sent to the county's Family Living Agent (Home Economist). Some of the books are missing (1953-1962, 1973-1986, 1991 and 1994).

The scrapbooks document the activities and concerns of the club through newspaper clippings, letters, photographs, pamphlets, certificates and other miscellaneous items. These scrapbooks portray the club's commitment to community education as well as its recreational activities. Present are newspaper clippings on local 4H and FFA activities, articles dealing with the activities of UW-River Falls students, and clippings on local and state elections and other important events. Also included is the correspondence of Dorothy Killian with state and federal officials concerning the area's environment, education and other topics. The scrapbooks contain programs, photographs, certificates and other items concerning the group's activities such as their annual attendance at the St. Croix Valley Summer Theatre, their 1979 tour of Stillwater, Minnesota and their tea-tasting program (recipes included). The scrapbooks also contain the programs from monthly meetings and annual conferences as well as the Extension Homemaker Newsletter.

The Home Demonstration Project Leader Books are a record of demonstrations in cooking, clothing management and sewing conducted by members of the River Falls friendship club for the benefit of the club from 1936-1938. The record contains an attendance roll including specific information on the family needs of the attendees and questions about the project's success answered by the project leaders.

Administrative/Restriction Information
Acquisition Information

Presented by the Glass Valley Homemakers Club via Dorothy Killian, 1978-1989, and Marcella Rodewald, March 13, 2002. Accession Number: M79-169, M79-194, M79-195, M80-125, M81-087, M85-364, M85-365, M86-142, M97-380, M2002-119


Processing Information

Processed by Menzi Behrnd Klodt, 1979, Rebecca L. Ross, 1989, and Amy Rommel, 2002.


Contents List
Secretary's Books
Box   1
Folder   1
1950-1952
Box   5
Folder   1
1963-1967
Box   5
Folder   2
1968-1971
Box   5
Folder   3
1972, 1974-1976
Box   5
Folder   4
1977-1980
Box   5
Folder   5
1981-1984
Box   5
Folder   6
1985, 1987-1990
Box   5
Folder   7
1992-1993, 1995
Scrapbooks
Box   1
Folder   2-3
1952-1975
Box   2
1975-1978
Box   3
1983-1985
Box   4
1986-1988
Box   1
Folder   4
Cultural Arts Reports, 1974
Box   1
Folder   4
Bylaws and miscellany
Box   5
Folder   10
Newsletters - Pierce County Association for Family and Community Education, 1994-1995, undated
Box   5
Folder   11
News Clippings, 1992-1993, undated
Box   5
Folder   12
Handouts - miscellaneous, undated
Box   5
Folder   8
River Falls Club Secretary's Book, 1938-1939
Box   5
Folder   9
Home Demonstration Project Leader Books, 1936-1938