urn:taro:aushc.00174 Austin Shakespeare Club Records An Inventory of the Collection Finding aid prepared by Molly Hults. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library January 06, 2011
810 GuadalupePO BOX 2287Austin, TX 78768
 Finding aid encoded by Molly Hults on January 06, 2011 Overview of the Collection Austin History Center, Austin Public Library,
810 Guadalupe, PO BOX 2287, Austin, TX 78768
 Austin Shakespeare Club Austin Shakespeare Club Records 1899-2010 .4 linear feet (1 box) The Austin Shakespeare Club was founded in 1898 with the purpose "to read and interpret Shakespeare's works and characters." The meeting minutes, correspondence, programs and yearbooks in this collection highlight the activities of the organization from 1899 to 2010. AR.N.002 Archives stacks The records are in English. Administrative History

The Austin Shakespeare Club was founded in 1898 by thirteen women with the object being "to read and interpret Shakespeare's works and characters." The club was one of the first literary clubs (along with the Patherfinders and Austin History Club) organized in Austin, Texas.

The founding members were: Mrs. T. G. Anderson Mrs. Loulie Miller Crooker Mrs. Ella Peyton Dancy Mrs. Francese A. H. Evans Mrs. Nan McCall Gallagher Mrs. Mable Nevins Mather Mrs. Katherine Pendleton Walker Miss Annie Kalfees Brown Miss Nola Ellen Dilworth Miss Margaret Emily Tobin Mrs. Edna Mac Donald Mrs. Mary Stanley Siddell Mrs. Elizabeth Waggener Fontaine

Originally the club capped its membership to 20 active members until 1941 when the number was increased to 24 where it still stands today (2011). Another change is the object of the club which has been expanded to suit the club members and the changing of the times. After the first ten years the topics of discussion expanded to include Greek dramas, modern dramas and then during World War I war topics became the focus. And, according to Anne Townes Finch, club historian, after the war "interests of the club were never quite the same." As of 2011 the object of the club "shall be to discuss and enjoy books."

 Scope and Contents

The bulk of the Austin Shakespeare Club collections consists of meeting minutes and club yearbooks. The meeting minutes span the years 1958-1982 and provide insight into the types of discussions conducted by the members. There is a consistent run of yearbooks from 1899-1973 and then scattered years through 2011. Also included in the collection are several versions of the Constitution and Bylaws and club histories.

 Arrangement

Arranged by material type.

 Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Organizations: Austin Shakespeare Club. Places: Austin (Tex.) Subjects: Literary Organizations. Women -- Societies and Clubs. Restrictions on Access

Open to all users.

 Restrictions on Use

None.

 Preferred Citation

Austin Shakespeare Club (AR.N.002). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

 Acquisition Information

Donor #: DO/1960/038, DO/1987/106

Donation Date: 1976, 1992, 2011

 Processing Information

Finding aid created and encoded by Molly Hults/2011.

 Accruals

It is written into the Bylaws of the Club that an updated club history will be provided to the Austin History Center along with copies of the club yearbook.

 Detailed Description of the Collection Austin Shakespeare Club Records, 1999-2011 1 1 Constitution and bylaws, 1959, 1974, undated 1 2 Meeting minutes, 1958-1973 1 3 Meeting minutes, 1973-1982 1 4 Club histories, circa 1959, 1974, 1982 1 5 Programs, 1918-1934 1 6-9 Yearbooks, 1899-2011