Finding Aid of the Tuesday Afternoon Book Club (Raleigh, N.C.), 1904 - 2002, ORG.177
Abstract
The Tuesday Afternoon Book Club (TABC) was organized in 1903 by Mrs. J. S. Wynne and Mrs. Franklin McNeill, largely as a neighborhood group. Residing in Raleigh, NC, around Blount Street and Peace College, the women had in common a "yen to study Shakespeare." With a limited membership of 18, the club met first in the home of Mrs. T. N. Ivey on Halifax Street. The TABC is thought to be Raleigh's fourth oldest club.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Tuesday Afternoon Book Club Records
- Call Number
- ORG.177
- Creator
- Tuesday Afternoon Book Club (Raleigh, N.C.)
- Date
- 1904-2002
- Extent
- 4.00 boxes
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Org.177, Tuesday Afternoon Book Club (Raleigh, N.C.), State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
This collection has been divided into four series, General Records, Minutes, Programs, and Miscellaneous. There are a few years missing from the minutes, but the program books are fairly complete.
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged chronologically within each series.
Finding Aid prepared by: Maurice S. Toler in 1963 and Ellen Z. McGrew in 1979.
Revised by: Fran Tracy-Walls in July 2003 and by: Gwen Thomas Mays in March 2013.
Historical Note
The Tuesday Afternoon Book Club (TABC) was organized in 1903 by Mrs. J. S. Wynne and
Mrs. Franklin McNeill, largely as a neighborhood group. Residing in Raleigh, NC, around
Blount Street and Peace College, the women had in common a "yen to study Shakespeare."
With a limited membership of 18, the club met first in the home of Mrs. T. N. Ivey
on Halifax Street.
The TABC is thought to be Raleigh's fourth oldest club. (The Johnsonian was founded
in 1895 was followed by the Olla Podrida and Fortnightly clubs, both organized in
1899.) For most of its history, the TABC has been informal with few rules, officers
serving in rotation, hostesses presenting programs and serving refreshments, occasional
guest speakers, and dues not exceeding $1.00 per year.
On the 75 anniversary of the Club in 1978, it was noted that the Tuesday Afternoon Book Club
was now limited to 14 members, hostesses were still seeking to entertain and to inform
through their programs, and over the years the club had supported in tangible ways
the Olivia Raney Library and the D. H. Hill Library at North Carolina State University.
An updating of the club history by Dr. Ellen Winston included the bylaws and the names
of the 60 Raleigh women who had been members during approximately three-quarters of
a century.
In 1985 the TABC compiled its historical sketches, parts 1 and 2 into pamphlet form
and included as an addendum a tribute to Dr. Winston, who had died that year at the
age of 80. Dr. Winston was remembered not only for her dedicated membership, but also
for the unique ways she had helped the TABC celebrate its important milestones. For
example, during the 75 anniversary year, Dr. Winston held a special celebration in her home. Earlier, during
the Club's 50 anniversary in 1954, Dr. Winston made memorable reference to the TABC in her speech
to the graduating class of UNC-G (at that time known as Woman's College). Speaking
on the topic, "Women in Today's World," Dr. Winston described the women in her book
club as having "unlimited horizons."
The Addendum was written by Mary S. Jenks in memory of Dr. Ellen Black Winston, 1904-1984.
Building on Dr. Winston's past references to the evolving nature of this women's group,
Mrs. Jenks praised the TABC's strong legacy of female friendship, observing that the
"ambience may have changed over the years but the love and support we receive from
each other as we break bread together has been sustained."
Contents of the Collection
1. General Records, 1903-2002
Scope and Content:
This series includes the by-laws of the Club, a committee report, correspondence,
histories of the Club, photographs, and a receipt from the State Archives.
2. Minutes, 1918-1995
Scope and Content:
This series includes the minutes of the general meetings of the Club as well as the
annual business meetings. Some years also include newspaper clippings and programs
books.
3. Programs, 1904-2001
Scope and Content:
This series includes the programs for the Club which contain a list of officers for
each year, the subjects to be studied, the meeting dates, as well as a membership
list. This series also includes an index to the subjects studied for the years from
1904 to 1943.
4. Miscellaneous
Scope and Content:
This series contains materials that do not properly fit into any other series, such as obituaries, publications and notebooks.