The Quill (Lincoln, Neb.) [RG3737.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG3737.AM:  The Quill (Lincoln, Neb.)

Records:  1921-1963

Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb.:  Society of women writers

Size:  0.5 cu.ft.; 1 box

BACKGROUND NOTE

In 1921 a group of women writers began meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. They formally organized as the “Happy Venture Club” on January 25, 1922. At the monthly meetings members read short stories, poems or chapters of their longer works; participated in dramatic sketches; and reported on their work in progress, publications, and honors. Applications for membership were required to submit samples of their work to be evaluated by a committee. The group changed its name to “The Quill” on September 12, 1923. The organization included such members as Bess Streeter Aldrich, Mari Sandoz, Eleanor Hinman, and Mignon Eberhart.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of minutes of meetings and a scrapbook documenting the activities of “The Quill” and its members. The materials date from 1921-1963. The minute books in the collection date from 1921-1963 with gaps between 1930-1932 and 1947-1953. The minute books include the club’s constitution, minutes of meetings, and membership lists. Frequently the minutes also contain reports on recent activities of the members. The scrapbook (loose pages) dates from 1922-1959 and contains newspaper clippings about the organization as well as stories regarding the personal and professional lives of the members. It also includes several pieces of correspondence including letters from Bess Streeter Aldrich and Mignon G. Eberhart.

INVENTORY

Box 1

Folder

1. 1. Minutes of meetings, 1921-1930; 1932-1942

1. 1. Minutes of meetings, 1942-1947; 1953-1957

1. 1. Minutes of meetings, 1957-1963

1. 1. Scrapbook, 1922-1959

Subject headings:

Aldrich, Bess Streeter, 1881-1954

Almy, Amy Bruner, -1955

Authors — Nebraska

Broady, Lois Pedersen

Bullock, Flora

Burton, Sunbeam

Cook, Helen Richards

Cosner, Marie Kirby

Dugan, Marie, -1957

Easterday, Grace

Eberhart, Mignon Good, 1899-1996

Ewing, Fay

Gaiser, Lucreta

Gee, Marian

Greer, Lynnelle

Grubb, Amy

Happy Venture Club (Lincoln, Neb.)

Hartman, Lois Margaret

Hartman, Peggy

Hayes, Helen Mary

Hinman, Eleanor H., 1899-

Hult, Effie

Jeffery, Mary Louise

Jenkins, Lucile

Literary societies — Nebraska

Longman, Anne

Merrill, E. Reye, -1956

Phillips, Laurie Kent

Radke, Magdalene Craft

Sandoz, Mari, 1896-1966

Sealock, Nancy

Sealock, Thelma Whitney

Smith, Clarissa Bucklin

Sorensen, Annis Chaikin

Sterling, Pansy, ca. 1895-

Swift, Grace Harrison

Terp, Eveline Sandall

Thomas, Dorothy

Thomas, Kennetha

Wentz, Anna B.

Wittmann, Elisabeth

Women’s clubs — Nebraska

Yale, Jane

Revised 07-10-2008   TMM