Round Table (Fargo, N.D.) Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 170

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Round Table Records consist of the club's constitutions and by-laws, several club histories, annual program booklets and various subject files. The club constitution and by-laws were originally published in pamphlet form in 1897. Since then there has been two updated versions, all three of which can be found in the file. The Club History Series contains several histories prepared by various club members. Included are the presentations from the 25th anniversary in 1922, the 35th anniversary in 1932, the 40th anniversary in 1947 and the 60th anniversary in 1957. The program written by Lois Vogel in 1991 is a brief summary of the club minutes from 1897 to 1917. (The actual club minutes were not donated with the collection.) The history of the Round Table club from 1960 to 1991 was also written by Lois Vogel. There is also a booklet which lists all the program topics from 1897 to 1991 as well as the club presidents, boards of directors, program committees, social committees (1961-1991), quotations and highlights. The Program Booklet Series consists of booklets published annually which contain the year's program schedule. Also included in each pamphlet is a list of the board of directors, and various committees. The collection is complete from 1897 to 1992. The Subject File Series contains various materials including a correspondence folder. One piece of correspondence is an invitation from the mayor of Philadelphia to the Sesquicentennial International Exposition in 1926 which commemorated 150 years of American independence. There are newspaper clippings from 1937 and 1972. There is also the 25th Annual Convention Program of the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs. The final file consists of program presentations from the year 1972-1973, entitled "Women of America." It contains presentations given on "Women in Music--North Dakota," "North Dakota Women in Poetry," "Women in Art in North Dakota," "Women in North Dakota Politics," "Role of Women in Early Fargo - to 1940," "Profile of the Women Delegates to North Dakota's Constitutional Convention," "My Grandmother, a North Dakota Pioneer," [Adeline (Harris) Porter who lived south of Jamestown, N.D.] and "Women in Education From North Dakota."

Dates

1897-1992.

Creator

Round Table (Club) (Organization)

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection remain with the Institute for Regional Studies.

History

The Round Table club was organized in 1897 in Fargo, N.D. by Mrs. R.B. Blakemore and Mrs. E.B. Davis. Its official name is given as The Round Table, although other documents do list it as The Round Table of Fargo, N.D. and the Round Table Club. It was a study group that provided women with an opportunity to come together and explore various historical subjects. The purpose of the club, as stated in the constitution, was to widen women's outlooks, to keep them in touch with the present and to make them more familiar with the past. Each year the club chose a different program for study. The first five years the programs focused on English history, literature and art. After that the program varied from year to year and ranged from a study of the Middle East to a study of the Great Plains.

Although the Round Table club was primarily a study group it did make contributions to various organizations. Donations were made to the Helen Keller Memorial Day Fund, the Penny Art Fund, and the World Peace Movement. Books were given to the Fargo Public Library, War Bonds (WWII) were purchased, and aid was given to the YWCA. The Round Table club is still active today. Membership is limited to 30 members, up from the original 25 charter members. The content of the program is basically the same as it was in 1897. For each meeting one individual is assigned a specific topic which she must present and discuss with the other members. Each member is obligated to give a presentation during the course of a year. Failure to do so results in a fine.

Extent

.4 Linear Feet (.4 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

It was a study group that provided women with an opportunity to come together and explore various historical subjects. The purpose of the club, as stated in the constitution, was to widen women's outlooks, to keep them in touch with the present and to make them more familiar with the past.