Histories of Rural Iowa Women's Clubs

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: IWA0714

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of short histories of women's clubs in rural Iowa, written by club members or published in local newspapers.

Clubs include: Allamakee County Bob's Creek Neighbors, Allamakee County Grand Meadow Women's Club, Allamakee County Post-Franklin Township Club, and Winneshiek County Minowa Rug Guild.

Dates

Creation: 1996-1998

Conditions Governing Access

The records are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

A fabric of women's clubs wove together rural women's society. From the rural township clubs initiated by the Farm Bureau in the early 1920s to the more cultural "study clubs," to the Federated Women's Clubs, garden clubs, and church-related clubs, rural women participated in a great number and variety of clubs. In most cases, clubs developed when individual women organized their friends or neighbors to create opportunities to socialize, educate themselves, and support each other in joys and grief. Frequently officers were elected, minutes recorded, and club anniversaries celebrated. Although membership was high during the first half of the twentieth century, it has declined in recent decades as younger women find other social outlets or have less unscheduled time.

Extent

1.00 linear inch

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Rural women participated in a great number and variety of clubs. This collection has short histories of a variety of clubs formed in Iowa in the first part of the 20th century.