Collection: Athens History Circle (Iowa City, Iowa) records | ArchivesSpace at the University of Iowa

The Athens History Circle records date from 1902 to 2004 and measure 10 linear inches. The records consist primarily of minutes, scrapbooks and yearbooks that span almost the entire existence of the circle. Also of interest are three histories of the Circle, written on the occasion of the group's 40th, 50th and 100th anniversaries.

Dates

1902-2004

Creator

Athens History Circle (Iowa City, Iowa) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The records are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Extent

10.00 linear inches

Additional Description

Abstract

Iowa City study club organized in 1897.

Biographical / Historical

The Athens History Circle was organized in Iowa City in 1897. The group originally formed to study "great men and famous women." This was the title of a subscription series of books bought by the original members and was the foundation of their study for eleven years. The meetings had been informal, but in 1904 the group adopted its first constitution and elected officers. The circle encouraged discourse among the members on a broad range of topics including the crusades, artists, American achievement, and literature. Beginning in 1953 the circle helped to fund a scholarship named for an early member, Kate Wickham, an elementary school teacher in Iowa City from 1902 to 1937. In 1997 the group celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding.