Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User Information
Historical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Box and Folder Inventory
Cataloguing Information
Processed by
Amanda Quandt
June 23, 1988
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 1 manuscript box; 4 bound volumes
COLLECTION DATES: 1908-1973
PROVENANCE: Gift of Cynthia Marks, Indianapolis, IN, 2 February 1988
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS:
ACCESSION NUMBER: 88.0255
NOTES:
In 1874, clergyman John Vincent of New York and Lewis Miller of Akron Ohio held the first Chautauqua meeting on the shore of Lake Chautauqua. Their purpose for this Chautauqua movement was to provide instruction in Sunday School organization and Bible study. The meetings also involved recreation and special lectures. As a result of this venture, the Literary and Scientific Circle, a home-study course developed in 1789, and by the turn of the century, hundreds of local assemblies were formed whose members assumed the label of "Chautauquas."
One such local assembly was the Vincent Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club of Indianapolis formed by the charter member Mrs. M.J. Allison in 1908. This new Club boasted between 20-25 members each year who concentrated on discussions of selected study books and volunteer work. The C.L.S.C. became affiliated with the Local Council of Women in April 1916. By November 1919 it had united with the Indiana Federation of Clubs. The C.L.S.C. disbanded during the 1970s.
The majority of the collection consists of meeting minutes of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club from 1908-1973. Each entry begins with the date and the location of the weekly meeting. Following each introduction are various reports including ones concerning book and current event discussions. In the bound volumes of minutes there are also lists of members, annual roles, treasurer's reports, lists of officers, constitution and by-laws and the recorded war work performed by the C.L.S.C.
Other parts of this collection include 8 C.L.S.C. programs ranging from 1925-1972. These annual booklets list the officers, members, the books to be discussed and the schedule of hostesses. There are also revisions of the Constitution and By-laws and correspondence pieces, which range from 1966-1972.
Folder 1: Constituion and By-laws
2: Minutes (1959-1962)
3: Minutes (1963-1966)
4: Minutes (1967-1969)
5: Minutes (1970-1973)
6: Programs- assorted years 1925-1972
7: Correspondence (1966-1972)
8: General
9: (BV) Minutes 1908-1927
BV 2492 Minutes (1908-1911), officers, members, accounts
BV 2493 Minutes (1912-1915), waiting lists, roles
BV 2494 Minutes (1915-1920), treasurer's reports
BV 2495 Minutes (1920-1927), past presidents, war work
MAIN ENTRY: Vincent Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club (Indianapolis, Ind.)
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Allison, M. J., Mrs.
Clubs
Women--Indiana--Indianapolis--Societies and clubs
Women--Indiana--Marion County
Literature--Societies, etc.
Women in war.
Chautauquas
Volunteers--Indiana--Indianapolis
Programs--Indiana--Indianapolis
Minutes--Indiana--Indianapolis
END