The records of the Nineteenth Century Club document club activities and history. The materials consist of club minutes, financial records, annual yearbooks, correspondence, and memorabilia.

The club’s administrative records include both minutes and financial records but does not include materials prior to 1904. The minutes span from 1904 to 1914 and 1974 to 1994 with a considerable gap in between these two periods. Financial records are also lacking with only one volume of the Treasurer’s book (1936-72) in the collection. Some financial records, relating to the budget and membership fees, are also included in select club minutes spanning from 1974 to 1981. Administrative records also include undated copies of the constitution noting various changes to the organization.

Club activities and events have been central to the Nineteenth Century Club’s goals and history and are reflected in the materials available in the collection. Club yearbooks and memorabilia from events provide information on club membership as well as annual social events. During club meetings, some members also presented essays and talks to the club. These talks often focused on subjects related to Oberlin College and Oberlin town, as well as members of the community who contributed to the town’s development. Newspaper clippings also document various community service activities that club members participated in. Topics include club anniversary celebrations, the tree planting at the local high school, and contributions made by members to the war relief effort in 1941. Correspondence from Oberlin College, the Oberlin Public Library, and other organizations also illustrates other donations and contributions made by the club towards the Oberlin community.

The collection also included a club scrapbook, but due to its fragile condition, the scrapbook was taken apart. Its contents, which included club yearbooks, invitations, correspondence, and newspaper clippings were interfiled within the rest of the collection.

The records are arranged in the following series:

Series I. Constitutions, n.d.
Series II. Club Minutes and Reports, 1904-14, 1974-94
Series III. Club Yearbooks, 1901-2001, n.d.
Series IV. Correspondence, 1919-88, n.d.
Series V. Events, 1903-26
Series VI. Financial Records, 1936-98, n.d.
Series VII. Meeting Presentations, 1982-83, n.d.
Series VIII. Newspaper Clippings, 1900-41
Series IX. Memorabilia, 1901-25, 1980s, n.d.

Series I. Constitutions, n.d.

This series contains several undated copies of the organization’s constitution noting various changes made in the organization. It outlines the objectives and structure of the club.

Series II. Club Minutes and Reports, 1904-14, 1974-94

The club minutes discuss all issues regarding organization, membership, community programs, and events as well as finance. It also includes an annual membership list where attendance was taken during club meetings. The minutes are arranged chronologically.

Series III. Club Yearbooks, 1901-2001, n.d.

Included in this series are annual programs that serve as guides to club activities. It notifies members of club events, as well as provides information on club officers and membership. The programs are arranged chronologically. Also filed here are research notes on a display of program booklets.

Series IV. Correspondence, 1919-88, n.d.

This series contains various letters and notes from former Nineteenth Century Club members (1920-21, 1926, 1963, n.d.). It also includes correspondence from the League to Enforce Peace – Ohio Branch (1919), Oberlin Public Library (1988), Oberlin College (1932, 1971), and the Montana Woman’s Missionary Union (n.d).

Series V. Events, 1903-26

Contains material related to club events including programs and menus for annual dinner celebrations, anniversaries, special guest days, and holiday parties.

Series VI. Financial Records, 1936-98, n.d.

The Treasurer’s Book documents various financial activities and responsibilities of the club. It consists of financial records relating to expenditures, profits, monetary donations, as well as club fees and dues.

Series VII. Meeting Presentations, 1982-83, n.d.

Meeting presentations contain essays and talks presented to the club by some of its members.

Series VIII. Newspaper Clippings, 1900-41

This series consists of articles related to club anniversaries, activities, and events. Also includes some clippings about community service work for Oberlin schools and contributions to the war relief effort. Clippings are arranged chronologically.

Series IX. Memorabilia, 1901-25, 1980s, n.d.

In this series are various printed materials including brochures on other clubs as well as a photograph of club members (n.d.) and a fictional story written by a member in celebration of the club’s 25th anniversary.

The bulk of the records of the Nineteenth Century Club were received from Kathy Schaum in 2001(acc. 2001/107). Additional material (primarily club yearbooks) had previously been deposited in the Archives.

Records of other women’s clubs in Oberlin are filed in 31/6.

“The Allen-Severence Connection,” an article written and presented by W. Jeanne McKibben, M.D. for the Nineteenth Century Club in 1988 is filed in the Oberlin File (RG21).