Patriotism, Efficiency, Service: History of the Altrusa Club of Muncie Bethany Fiechter Archivist for Manuscript and Digital Collections Archives and Special Collections • Mission: collect, preserve, and provide access to archival, printed, and digital resources that support the research and instructional needs of students, faculty, national and international students, and the general public. • Collection areas: • • • • • • Rare Books and Manuscripts Middletown Studies Collection Stoeckel Archives of Local History University Archives Drawings and Documents Archives Digital Media Repository • • A digital repository housing documents, oral histories, photographs, and etc. 140 digital collections, totaling over 423,000 items Archives and Special Collections website: http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/Libraries/CollectionsAndDept/Archives.aspx Historical Note: Charter • The Altrusa Club of Muncie collection (MSS.054) is one of the largest and most comprehensive women’s history collections in Archives and Special Collections. • On October 17, 1923, Patty Garnet, National Organizer of Altrusa, met with thirteen women of Muncie to formulate and discuss the mechanics of an organization. • The local constitution and by-laws were accepted by the National Association and the charter was granted in May 1925. Historical Note: Formation • Members were selected from professional and business vocations, classified into three groups: active, past service, and honorary. • By the time the organization was complete, seven more women became interested and twenty women were included as charter members. First Officers President: Rhoda Welding Vice President: Grace DeHority Secretary: Louise Maddy Treasurer: Mary Lincoln Sergeant-at-Arms: Grace Mason MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie meeting minutes, 1923 Historical Note: Service “That which constitutes the supreme worth of life is not wealth, nor ease, nor fame, not even happiness, but service. Nothing at last counts but service and that always counts.” Service Projects Raising money for the Ball Hospital Building Fund and the Emens College-Community Auditorium Building Fund Aiding students with their education by providing scholarships such as the Mamie Bass Scholarship Loan Fund and the Grants-in-Aid Project MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie scrapbook, 1933 Collection Description • The Altrusa Club of Muncie collection (MSS.054) includes historical, committee, and financial records, meeting minutes, scrapbooks, yearbooks, photographs, and a reel-to-reel audiotape recording ranging from circa 1923-2004. MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie finding aid: http://www.bsu.edu/libraries/archives/findingaids/MSS054.pdf Photographs, circa 1923-1991 Left: PSC.105-01, Persons Pictured: Grace DeHority, Ruth Garrett, Reba Hoover, Harriett Johnstone, Josephine Kirby, Edna Krug, Mary Lincoln, Grace Fern Mitchell, Ann Pugh, Margaret Slater, Mabel Sutton, Barcus Tichenor, Louisa Warner, circa 1920s.Right: Altrusa dinner, scrapbook photograph, 1953-1954. Attendance Records, 1923-2000 MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie attendance records, 1923 and 1930 Meeting Minutes, 1923-1990 MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie first meeting minutes, 1923 Song books, 1930-1951 MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie song book, 1933 Scrapbooks,1933-1991 MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie scrapbook, 1933 Digital Media Repository Digital Media Repository website: http://libx.bsu.edu Contact Me! Bethany Fiechter Archivist for Manuscript and Digital Collections Ball State University Libraries 765-285-5078 bcfiechter@bsu.edu P028-037, Minnetrista rose garden, 2011