Fargo Fortnightly Club Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 35-Mss 1560

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Fargo Fortnightly Club Records consists of correspondence, meeting minutes, treasurers and historians records, constitutions and by-laws, annual program booklets, writings, publications, newspaper clippings and various subject files. The Correspondence Series is arranged chronologically with separate files for the letters of the Fatherless Children of France, the 1967 North Dakota Mother of the Year and the Sakakawea Statue. The Meeting Minutes Series is contained in eight scrapbooks, the years ranging from 1901 to 1980. Nine versions of the Constitution and By-laws Series is included in chronological order, including a revision in 1954. The Treasurers Records Series is contained in one book 1906 - 1952/53 inclusive. The Historians Records Series Records range from 1939 to 1979 but evidence suggests that misplaced records dating earlier have been written. The Annual Program Booklets Series dating from 1895 to 1982 is complete. There is one copy for every year. In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s there are multiple copies for certain years. They were retained because of the variety of cover styles in these years, some of which are wallpaper, evidence of poor economic times and the resourcefulness of the organization. All newspaper clippings throughout this collection are arranged in chronological order. The Writings Series is arranged in alphabetical order by their source. A separate file is devoted to Mattie Davis newspaper clippings but the bulk of the clippings are contained in two scrapbooks. The Subject Files Series contain a wide variety of information. Awards and Citations presented to the Club are kept in alphabetical order from the source with a separate file for Mrs. O. A. Stevens, 1967 Mother of the Year. The material relating to Fortnightly participation in the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs is considerable. Of particular interest is the Fortnightly Club presidents annual reports to the Fourth District Convention of the Federation, dating from 1952 to 1969 plus the club year 1973/74. The small obituary file is arranged alphabetically as is the resolutions file. Material involving the Sakakawea Statue is extensive and the statue notes are quite informative. The student assistance files contain facts regarding the types of funds the club raised for college girls. The scrapbook contains mainly newspaper clippings about club activities and members.

Dates

1895-1982

Creator

Fargo Fortnightly Club. (Organization)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The NDSU Archives holds the copyrights.

History

The Fargo Fortnightly Club was founded in 1895 as the Fortnightly Literary Club. It became the Fortnightly Club the following year. The first president was Mrs. E. Folsom. The Fortnightly Club has taken part in civic and educational affairs in the community as well as carrying out its own study programs, usually concerning foreign nations. The Fargo Fortnightly Club became a member of the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs in 1896 and Mrs. C.E. Tuller, a vice president of the Fortnightly Club was elected as the first president of the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs. During the first twenty-five years of the Federation, four members of the Fortnightly Club served as officers and/or directors on its board. They were Mrs. R.M. Pollock, Mrs. F.H. Winder, Mrs. W.L. Stockwell and Mrs. Amidon. Mrs. O.A. Stevens was elected Federation director in 1926 and 1930. Mrs. W.E. Brentzel was elected Federation director, clubwoman editor, vice president and ultimately president in 1952. In 1958 Mrs. T.W. Thordarson was elected President of the Fourth District of the Federation as well as a Director.

In its first twenty-five years of existence, the Fargo Fortnightly Club supported the establishment of a public library in Fargo, help create neighborhood clubs that preceded parent-teacher associations, campaigned to require inspection in food processing and marketing, and promoted the first well-baby clinic. Particularly significant, the club, led by Beulah Amidon, and Hattie Davis, initiated the movement to erect the Sakakawea Statue on the grounds of the state capital in Bismarck. In the next twenty-five years the Fortnightly Club worked to ease the effects of the depression and war. Money was sent to aid needy children abroad. Tools were purchased to equip a "Putter Shop" at the YMCA for unemployed men to learn skills. These tools were later donated to the Boy Scouts when the shop was closed. The tuberculosis sanitarium at Dunseith was given books and money for periodicals when it had a large number of patients. The Club also sponsored an Open Forum to promote learning and leadership.

The third twenty-five years were primarily devoted to service for young people. Safety zones along streets past public schools were encouraged by the club and established. A lighting project in school areas, public streets, and private homes brought Fortnightly national recognition by the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

The club maintains a program of student assistance involving loans and scholarships for young women in colleges, business schools and schools of nursing. The Knowlton Fund, Shoeniger Fund and General Federation of Women’s Clubs - Shell Oil Company Foundation are the primary programs which perform this function. Several members have achieved notable status. In 1909 Mattie Davis was elected president of the North Dakota Education Association. Mrs. R.M. Pollock was a pioneer in the woman's suffrage, movement and Mrs. O.A. Stevens was voted North Dakota Mother of the Year in 1967. As the name indicates, the club continues to meet on a bi-weekly basis in member homes. Membership has three categories: active, life, and honorary.

Extent

1.8 Linear Feet (1.8 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Fargo Fortniqhtly Club, founded in 1895, has taken part in many civic and educational affairs in the community as well as carrying out it's own study programs, usually concerning foreign nations. The many club records provide good documentation of its many and varied activities and include correspondence, meeting minutes, treasurers and historians records, constitutions and by-laws, annual program booklets, writings, publications, newspaper clippings and various subject files.

Provenance

Donated by Fargo Fortnightly Club, 1979 (Acc. 2040) and 1983 (Acc. 2088).

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items were removed from the Fargo Fortnightly Club records and have been sent to the sections indicated. Books (Cataloged into Institute Publications Collection)

Brief History of North Dakota by Edgar Meinzer... 1915

Social Survey of Fargo, North Dakota, by Associated Charities ... 1915