Study Club of Fargo Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 3080

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains five booklets relating to the theme of the year as well as meeting dates and a phone tree. It also contains meeting minutes for the yeas 1975 through 1987. Lastly, it contains a pamphlet for a related organization as well as two news articles.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1969 - 1997

Creator

Study Club of Fargo. (Organization)

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the Institute.

Biography

Early in 1897 a small group of women connected with the Fargo College formed a society for "mutual improvement." Mrs. H.C. Simmons, wife of the president of the college, was the leader of the group, later to be known as the Fargo College Reading Circle. In 1912, the name was changed to the Study Club of Fargo. At that time membership was limited to twelve. The Study Club of Fargo was affiliated with the Federation of Women's Clubs from 1911 until May 20, 1945 when it was decided to withdraw from the Federation.

Some of the early members who remained active for many years and are often referred to in the club history: Mrs. H.C. Simmons, Mrs. P.G. Knowlton, Mrs. Corrine Grinnell, Mrs. Laura Flanders, Mrs. H.F. Emery, Mrs. F.E. Stratton, Mrs. Emerson H. Smith, Mrs. Edwin H. Stickney, Mrs. F.L. Anders, Mrs. E.K. Bitzing, and Mrs. A.J. Clay.

Membership in the club is by invitation and the current membership limitation is twenty-two. Meetings are held on every first and third Monday afternoons in the homes of the members during the club year (September through May).

Motto of the club is the same one adopted in 1902 when the first constitution was adopted: "To be rather than to seem." The club color is gold and the flower is a white carnation. Subjects of study are varied: travel, geography, women of history, arts, antiques, ethnic groups, biographies, and heritage.

The purpose of the Study Club of Fargo as stated in the constitution is the advancement of its members in all lines of general thought and culture. Mrs. Frederick G. Walsh also expressed a similar thought in her 75th anniversary message: “No one expects Utopia, No one person can prepare a land fit for heroes, But almost everyone can try to understand the past and the present in order to enrich the future.”

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (This collection contains five booklets relating to the theme of the year as well as meeting dates and a phone tree. It also contains meeting minutes for the yeas 1975 through 1987. Lastly, it contains a pamphlet for a related organization as well as two news articles.)