Descriptive Summary
Yanaguana Society (San Antonio, Tex.)
Yanaguana Society (San Antonio, Tex.) Records
1931-1960
Materials are in English.
Col 924
1.67 linear feet (4 boxes)
Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas
Formed in 1933 by a group of San Antonio, Texas, residents, the Yanaguana Society aimed to encourage research into the earliest records of San Antonio. The organization sponsored a number of activities, including an exhibit of San Antonio artwork at the Witte Museum in 1933 and a series of publications. The Society also acquired thirteen paintings by San Antonio artist Theodore Gentilz. Activity declined in the 1940s and came to a halt in 1943 following the death of Frederick C. Chabot, the primary organizer of the group. A reorganization was attempted in 1946, but a lack of interest led to the dissolution of the Society in 1947.
Correspondence, minutes, resolutions, membership records, printed material, financial records, and literary productions are part of the Yanaguana Society records. General Society records include the first proposals for the new organization, a fairly complete set of minutes, and routine business. Special projects documented include the Art Committee, which worked on the 1933 exhibition and the acquisition of the Gentilz paintings. Some items deal with the donation of Society records to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. A few personal papers of Frederick C. Chabot are also included.
Historical Note
The Yanaguana Society was formed in 1933 by a group of San Antonio, Texas, residents to, according to its charter, "encourage historical research into the earliest records of San Antonio, especially those relating to the period or periods previous to 1855." The organization, named for the Payaya Indian word for the village located at the site of San Antonio, was the brainchild of San Antonio historian Frederick C. Chabot, who first raised the idea in 1931. A primary function of the group was to be the publication of source documents related to the city's history.
The first meeting of the Yanaguana Society in 1933 October drew about 100 people to the Gunter Hotel, where by-laws and resolutions were adopted, setting membership categories and electing members. Most of the first members were prominent San Antonians, though others from around Texas and from other states were active throughout the life of the organization.
One of the group's first projects was an exhibit of San Antonio artwork, held at the Witte Museum in 1933 December. Also under the charge of its Art Committee, the society acquired thirteen paintings by San Antonio artist Theodore Gentilz and later obtained other works of art. The publication program began with the release of the thesis of Carlos E. Casteneda,
A Report on the Spanish Archives in San Antonio, Texas, in 1937. A total of seven volumes were published by the Yanaguana Society, including a special release of Chabot's With the Makers of San Antonio.
Though the society continued to attract new members, activity declined during the early 1940s and practically came to a halt with Chabot's death in 1943. In 1946, an effort was made to reorganize and revive the society, but a lack of adequate interest led the directors to dissolve the Society on 1947 March 14. The Yanaguana Society's remaining publications and funds were transferred to the San Antonio Historical Society, while its paintings, Texana collection, and records were given to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, minutes, resolutions, membership material, printed material, financial documents, and literary productions are part of the operating records of the Yanaguana Society.
The papers provide a fairly complete record of the operations of the historical organization. The papers include general operating records and subgroups made up of the records of the Society's Art Committee, records generated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in connection with the Society's papers, and records of Frederick C. Chabot.
The general material includes extensive correspondence, beginning with Chabot's first proposals for the organization in 1931, through initial membership recruitment in 1933, specific projects, and routine business, up to the dissolution of the Society. Copies of letters sent were maintained. Some letters, especially those written to Chabot, cover other topics, such as historical research.
A fairly complete set of minutes exists. The minutes often contain the text of resolutions adopted by the directors and letters sent and received. A ledger contains minutes of the final three years of the society's existence.
The actual working manuscripts of society's publications consist of a complete manuscript of
McFarland's Journal. A few short papers by Chabot are also included.
Financial records include orders for Society publications, some bills and receipts, and bank records, which are somewhat scattered and incomplete. A ledger contains annual financial reports for each year of the organization's existence.
The Art Committee subgroup consists of correspondence related to the Yanaguana Society art exhibition of 1933 and the acquisition and use of paintings, particularly works by Theodore Gentilz. Other documents related to the Gentilz paintings are also included. References to the disposition of these paintings upon the dissolution of the society can also be found in the general correspondence and resolutions.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas material includes correspondence and other items produced after the Yanaguana Society was disbanded and its papers were donated to the DRT Library. Much of the correspondence concerns the purchase of Yanaguana Society publications.
The Frederick C. Chabot records include a copy of Chabot's will, letters, and other items related to the Yanaguana Society's dealings with his estate. A small amount of printed material and financial documents pertain to Chabot's professional activities outside the Yanaguana Society.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions. The collection is open for research.
Usage Restrictions
Please be advised that the library does not hold the copyright to most of the material in its archival collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure those rights when needed. Permission to reproduce does not constitute permission to publish. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright, literary property rights, and libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Yanaguana Society (San Antonio, Tex.) Records, 1931-1960, Col 924, Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, San Antonio, Texas.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Yanaguana Society, 1947.
Processing Information
Processed by Warren Stricker, 1991 May.
Finding aid edited and encoded by Caitlin Donnelly, 2011 December.
Index Terms
Personal Names
Chabot, Frederick C. (Frederick Charles), b. 1891.
Gentilz, Theodore, d. 1906.
Organizations
Yanaguana Society.
Subjects
History--Societies, etc.
History publishing--Texas.
Art--Texas--Exhibitions.
Locations
San Antonio (Tex.)--History Study and teaching.
Genres/Formats
Administrative records.
Correspondence.
Financial records.
Manuscripts.
Minutes.
Printed ephemera.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Yanaguana Society Records, 1931-1960
1
1
Charter: 3 items [photostats], 1933
1
Correspondence, 1931-1950
1
Letters sent: arranged chronologically, 1931-1950
1
2
9 items, 1931
1
3
17 items, 1933-1934
1
4
19 items, 1935-1939
1
5
19 items, 1941-1945
1
6
52 items, 1946
1
7
33 items, 1947, 1950
1
Letters received: arranged chronologically, 1931-1947
1
8
31 items, 1931, 1933
1
9
24 items, 1934-1936
1
10
13 items, 1937-1939
1
11
32 items, 1940
1
12
16 items, 1941
1
13
22 items, 1942
1
14
26 items, 1943-1945
1
15
38 items, 1946
1
16
15 items, 1947
1
17
Memorandum: publication policy, circa 1936
1
Minutes, 1933-1947
1
18
1933
1
19
1934
1
20
1935
1
21
1936
1
22
1937
1
23
1938
1
24
1939
1
25
1940
1
26
1941
2
27
1945-1946
2
28
1947
2
29
Ledger, 1945-1947
2
30
Annual report: 10 pages, 1933-1934
2
31
Resolutions: 4 items, 1946-1947
2
32
Membership lists: 7 items, 1936-1938, undated
2
33
Membership applications/dues: 40 items, 1932-1939, undated
2
34
Proxies: 54 items, 1933-1947
2
35
Press releases: 2 items, 1933, undated
2
36
Inventories: "Manuscript Material Inspected for Harry Hertzberg," typescript, 5 pages, 1933
2
Lists, 1933-1942, undated
2
37
Yanaguana Society publications: 3 items, 1942
2
38
Yanaguana Society publications: subscribers, 10 items, 1933-1942
2
39
Yanaguana Society officers and records: 2 pages, undated
2
40
Texas newspapers: 2 pages, undated
2
Miscellaneous: 2 items, undated
2
41
Membership application form: draft, typescript
2
Program: annual meeting, draft, typescript, 1933
2
Magazine cover: draft, typescript
2
Printed material, 1933-1946, undated
2
42
Programs: "Presentation of the Matachine Dance by Chichimec and Other Indians," 3 items, 1934
2
43
Clippings: 13 items, 1934-1946
2
44
Miscellaneous: 6 items, 1933, undated
2
Financial records, 1933-1947, undated
2
45
Financial reports: ledger, 70 pages, 1935-1947
2
46
Dues account book: 1 item, 1933-1947
2
47
List of statements mailed: 2 pages, undated
3
48
Accounts receivable, orders, etc.: approximately 30 items, 1937-1946
3
49
Accounts payable, bills, receipts, etc.: 26 items, 1934-1947
3
50
Bank statements, deposit slips, checks, etc.: unsorted, 1940-1947
3
Literary productions and manuscripts, 1934-1942
3
51
Chabot, Frederick C., supervisor, A Survey of Historical Records: Bexar County, Texas, 9 pages, 1934
3
52
Chabot, Frederick C., "First Americans of San Antonio," 45 pages, 1935
3
53
McFarland Journal, introduction, typescript, XLXI [LI] pages, 1942
3
54
McFarland Journal, typescript, 154 pages, 1942
3
55
McFarland Journal, notes and appendix, typescript, 39 pages
3
56
Texas Letters, unbound volume, 188 pages, 1940
3
57
Notes: 2 items, undated
3
58
Miscellaneous material: 3 items, undated
4
Card file: names, addresses, etc.
3
Art Committee, 1933-1950, undated
3
Correspondence: arranged chronologically, 1933-1950
3
59
Witte Museum Art Exhibit: 20 items, 1933-1934
3
60
Art, acquisition and use: includes letters concerning Theodore Gentilz paintings, 39 items, 1934-1950
3
61
Bills of sale, Gentilz paintings: 3 items, 1936-1937
3
62
Copyrights, Gentilz paintings: 16 items, 1936-1937
3
63
Insurance policy, Gentilz paintings: 2 items, 1937-1938
3
64
Press release: drafts, 2 items, 1933
3
Clippings: 1 item, 1933
3
Lists, 1933, undated
3
65
Witte Museum Exhibit/San Antonio art: 3 items, 1933, undated
3
66
Yanaguana Society presentations, oil paintings: 2 items, undated
3
67
Catalogs: "Catalog of a Loan Exhibition of Old San Antonio Paintings," 2 items, 1933
3
68
Receipts for paintings: 2 items, 1946, 1949
3
69
Notes: 3 items, 1933, undated
3
Daughters of the Republic of Texas, 1943-1960, undated
3
70
Correspondence: 53 items, 1958-1959
3
71
Inventories, 1947, undated
3
List of Papers of the Yanaguana Society: 1 item, 1947
3
Yanaguana Unit-DRT Library: 1 item, undated
3
72
Subject file: Frederick C. Chabot, 2 items, 1943, 1960
3
Frederick C. Chabot, 1933-1946
3
73
Estate papers: 14 items, 1940-1946
3
74
Financial records, printed material: 5 items, 1933-1941
Separated material
The following books have been separated from the Yanaguana Society's records and placed in the DRT Library's general collection. See the library's online catalog for additional information about these items.
An Act to Incorporate the City of San Antonio. Austin, Texas: Tracy, Siemering and Co., 1870.
Buck, Beaumont B. Memories of Peace and War. San Antonio: The Naylor Co., 1935.
Chabot, Frederick C., ed. Texas in 1811: The Las Casas and Sambrano Revolutions. San Antonio: Yanaguana Society, 1941.
Cole, Cornelia A. Gen. Robert Anderson.
Cuyas Armengol, Arturo. Gran Diccionario Ingles-Espanol. Barcelona: Sociedad General de Publicaciones, 1928.
Dobie, James Frank. Folk-lore of the Southwest. What is Being Done to Preserve It.
Dobie, James Frank. Publications of the Texas Folk-Lore Society. Austin, Texas: Texas Folk-Lore Society, 1923.
Dobie, James Frank, ed. Texas and Southwestern Lore. Austin, Texas: Texas Folk-Lore Society, 1927.
Estado General de las Fundaciones Hechas por D. Jose de Escandon en la Colonia del Nuevo Santander costa del seno Mexicano. Mexico: Talleres Graficos de la Nacion, 1929.
Hunter, Robert Hancock. Narrative of Robert Hancock Hunter. Austin: Cook Printing Co., 1936.
James, Vinton Lee. Frontier and Pioneer Recollections of Early Days in San Antonio and West Texas. San Antonio: Artes Graficas, 1938.
Jameson, E. O. The Biographical Sketches of Prominent Persons, and the Genealogical Records of Many Early and Other Families in Medway, Mass. 1713-1886. Millis, Massachusetts: E. O. Jameson, 1886.
Jones, W. Northey. The History of St. Peter's Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey: the Oldest Congregation of the Church of New Jersey. 1924.
Lozano, Ruben Rendon. Viva Tejas: The Story of the Mexican-born Patriots of the Republic of Texas. San Antonio: Southern Literary Institute, 1936.
Maverick, Mary Ann Adams. Memoirs of Mary A. Maverick. San Antonio: Alamo Printing Co., 1921.
Newcomb, Pearson. The Alamo City. San Antonio: Pearson Newcomb, 1926.
Roster of Troops Serving in the Department of Texas, Commanded by Brigadier General Frank Wheaton, U.S. Army. San Antonio: Assistant Adjutant General's Office, 1894.
Rubio Mane, J. Ignacio. Los Piratas La Fitte. Mexico: Editorial Polis, 1938.
Ryan, W. M. Shamrock and Cactus: The Story of the Catholic Heroes of Texas Independence. San Antonio: Southern Literary Institute, 1936.
Scott, Florence Johnson. Old Rough and Ready on the Rio Grande. San Antonio: The Naylor Co., 1935.
Sloane, Charles Albert, ed. I Remember: Being the Memoirs of Mrs. John Herndon (Maria Aurelia Williams) James Together with Contemporary Historical Events and Sketches of her own and her Husband's Families. San Antonio: The Naylor Co., 1938.
Thompson, Waddy. Recollections of Mexico. New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1846.
Turton, W. H. The Plantagenet Ancestry. London: Phillimore and Co., 1928.
Waugh, Julia Nott. Castro-ville and Henry Castro, Emprasario. San Antonio: Standard Printing Co., 1934.
Wharton, Clarence R. The Republic of Texas: A Brief History from the First American Colonies in 1821 to Annexation in 1846. Houston: C. C. Young Printing Co., 1922.
Wharton, Clarence R. San Jacinto: The Sixteenth Decisive Battle. Houston: Lamar Book Store, 1930.