Mount Vernon Friendship Club records

Collection

Identifier: IWA1169

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The Mount Vernon Friendship Club records date from 1921-2015 and measure 12 linear inches. The records comprise three series: History, Administrative, and Scrapbooks.

The History series contains handwritten accounts of some of the club’s historical highlights. It also contains an outline of the 95th anniversary meeting.

The Adminstrative (1929-2018) series contains the club’s programs, minutes, and ledgers.

The Scrapbooks (1921-2015) series documents the history of the club. It includes correspondence, obituaries, news clippings, and many photographs.

Dates

Creation: 1921-2015

Creator

Mount Vernon Friendship Club (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

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

The Mount Vernon Friendship Club was formed on May 29, 1912. Its membership consisted of women from the rural areas around Mount Vernon, Iowa. The object of the club was to promote the spirit of kindness and “goodfellowship,” with the motto “We Learn to do by Doing.” Women often brought their children with them to meetings. The Club was dedicated to doing good works through their Relief Division. They donated sewn items, food, and other goods to needy families and charitable organizations, including the Home for the Friendless and Sunshine Mission in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Perkins Children’s Home in Iowa City, Iowa. The club also offered educational programs and organized tours and outings for the group. During World War II they were active in the war effort; they donated money and food, and sponsored a French orphan. The club remained active until 2015.