Stillman Valley Woman's Club, 1899-1988 | Northern Illinois University

Collection Overview

Title: Stillman Valley Woman's Club, 1899-1988

ID: RHC/RC/242

Extent: 6.25 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 10/06/1999

Subjects: Libraries, Songbooks, Stillman Valley (Ill.), Stillman Valley Woman’s Club, Wednesday Study Club, Women--Societies and clubs.

Forms of Material: Photographs

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Stillman Valley Woman’s Club Records document the establishment and history of a local woman’s social organization whose aim was to “promote intellectual growth, cooperation in community service and the joy of companionship.” A nearly complete set of minute books (1899 -1970, 1973-1988) details the business and social activities of each club meeting. The collection contains yearly program booklets beginning with1912, as well as program booklets for all the area women’s clubs which supplement the minute books. These program booklets contain lists of officers, program titles and members responsible for each meeting. Nine scrapbooks contain photographs, newspaper clippings, program booklets and related materials documenting meetings, activities and other social functions sponsored by this organization. Researchers should note the brief club history, as well as a number of constitutions and by-laws which begin with the founding of the organization as the “Wednesday Study Club” and continue through its evolution into the Stillman Valley Woman’s Club. Related materials include correspondence, annual reports, financial records, membership lists, and 35mm slides and negatives from the mid-1980's. In addition, this collection includes literature from the Federated Women’s Clubs of Ogle County, the Thirteenth Congressional District Women’s Clubs, the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs which provides information on the statewide activities of woman’s clubs in Illinois.

Collection Historical Note

The Stillman Valley Woman’s Club was organized on November 1, 1899 by a small group of women meeting at the home of Mrs. Ellen Patrick, and was known as the “Wednesday Study Club.” Its purpose was “mental improvement by study and discussion” and the group met at the homes of members. The first ten meetings were held weekly, but thereafter were held on alternate Wednesdays, excluding three months during the summer. With the start of the 1938-1939 term meetings were held monthly. The meetings were devoted to the study of such subjects as literature, history, folklore, government, arts and crafts, music, public health, and education. Most meetings included a musical portion where members either sang or listened to selections on the phonograph.

In 1903 the group affiliated with the State Federation of Women’s Clubs. In 1910 they joined the Thirteenth District, and in 1925, they affiliated with Ogle County. It was not until 1945 that the club joined the General Federation. In 1919 it was voted to change the name of the organization to the Stillman Valley Woman’s Club.

During its 88 years of existence the Woman’s Club worked on many worthwhile projects. World War I saw members supporting the Red Cross and the Council of National Defense, and during World War II the group sponsored clothing drives. Other work included supporting a French orphan for two years, furnishing hot lunches for school children, putting on art exhibits, purchasing children’s recreational equipment for the park, helping to finance a supervisor for children’s summer activities, and planting trees. During the 1980's activities included sponsoring blood pressure checks for the community, having charge of the Flower Show at the annual Fall Festival, sponsoring the “Home of the Valley” contest, art and music scholarships, and lending support to “Winning Wheels,” a facility for disabled adults in Prophetstown. In addition this group has contributed to many local and national organizations.

The project the Stillman Valley Woman’s Club is most proud of is the library it started in 1915 and maintained until they turned it over to the village in 1924. The building originally was the home of Miss Julia E. Hull who willed it for a library. It also served as a meeting place for the Woman’s Club for many years. During the 1980's membership declined and the group formally disbanded in May 1988.

Subject/Index Terms

Libraries
Songbooks
Stillman Valley (Ill.)
Stillman Valley Woman’s Club
Wednesday Study Club
Women--Societies and clubs.

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: Mrs. Robert (Elsie) Sand

Acquisition Method: Mrs. Robert (Elsie) Sand, Stillman Valley, Illinois, donated the Stillman Valley Woman’s Club Records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on October 6, 1999.

Related Materials: The Regional History Center holds several other collections related to Illinois women’s organizations such as Jolly Neighbors Club, Prophetstown (RC 112), Friends in Council, Princeton (RC 129), Genoa Women’s Club (RC 192) and Afton Township Women’s Club (RC 229).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Volume 1-3: 1984-1987 (3 volumes)],
[Box 8],
[Box 9],
[Box 10],
[All]

Box 6

Folder 1-2: Federated Women's Clubs of Ogle County, Booklets, 1960-1969, 1971-1973
Folder 3: Songbook, circa 1946
Folder 4: Miscellaneous Booklets

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Volume 1-3: 1984-1987 (3 volumes)],
[Box 8],
[Box 9],
[Box 10],
[All]