Monday Afternoon Club (Blair, Neb.) [RG5661.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG5661.AM:  Monday Afternoon Club (Blair, Neb.)



Records:  1904-2009

Blair, Washington County, Neb.:  Women’s club

Size:  3 reels of microfilm



BACKGROUND NOTE



Probably the oldest continuing culture club in Nebraska, the Monday Afternoon Club of Blair first met in late 1876. Originally composed of six young ladies and three gentlemen, the group formed to discuss literature. Shortly after its formation, the club dropped its male members and became a women’s club. Its early subjects for discussion were the works of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and other renowned authors.



Because it lacked formal organization and officers in its early years, early minutes of the Monday Afternoon Club do not exist. The club was formally organized around 1900 when Mrs. Charles Selleck became its president. Shortly after, probably in 1903, a club motto was adopted: Take All Swift Advantage of the Hour. Yearbooks began about this time and recorded the monthly activities and programs of the club.



Although begun as a study club leaning toward book and play reviews, the club evolved to include current events and important issues facing the country. During World War II the club abandoned regular meetings and undertook Red Cross work. In its later years the club relied on outside speakers, rather than club members, to present programs of literary and cultural interest, as well as contemporary concerns. With membership declining in the 2000s, the club voted to disband in April 2009, 133 years after its founding.



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of three reels of microfilm arranged in two series: 1) Yearbooks and Historical Material, 1904-2009; and 2) Minutes, 1905-2009. This collection relates to the history and activities of the Monday Afternoon Club of Blair, Nebraska.



The Yearbooks of Series 1 provide the yearly programs of the Monday Afternoon Club, 1904-2009. The organization’s year of programs ran from September through May. The yearbooks typically provide the constitution and bylaws of the organization, officers, membership lists, the topics and programs presented, and listings of deceased members. Following the yearbooks of 1904 to 1999 on reel one, a scrapbook includes financial statements from the 1980s and compiled material documenting the club’s history. Included are various histories of the Monday Afternoon Club and anniversary booklets from the club’s 80th, 85th, and 120th anniversaries. Yearbooks covering the years 1993-2009 can be found on the third reel of microfilm.



The Minutes of Series 2, 1905-2009, provide information on attendance, programs, financial status, and various projects sponsored by the Monday Afternoon Club. Also included are questionnaires produced at the end of the 2009 program season for the members to voice their views on the continuation of the club. Based on these responses, the Monday Afternoon Club decided to hold its last meeting in April of 2009.



DESCRIPTION



Series 1 – Yearbooks, 1904-2009



Reel 1

Yearbooks, 1904-1999 (see Reel 3 for additional yearbooks)

Bank Statements, 1986-1989

Scrapbook – includes musical programs, clippings, photographs, notes, anniversary booklets



Series 2 – Minutes, 1905-2009



Reel 2

Minutes, 1905-1991 (preceded by Constitution and Bylaws, 1903; 1905-1906)



Reel 3

Minutes, 1991-2009

Facts and Questionnaire Forms, 2009

Financial Reports, 2000-2009

Yearbooks, 1993-2009



 



ADDED ENTRIES:



Blair (Neb.) — History

Monday Afternoon Club (Blair, Neb.)

Washington County (Neb.) — History

Women — Societies and clubs



 



AF/tmm   12-28-2009

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.