XYZ Club Scrapbooks, ORG.5280

Abstract

The XYZ Club was a social and philanthropic group for senior citizens located in the larger Dare County area. Headquartered in Manteo, N.C., the group met monthly and participated in social outings, community service events, and fundraisers. The XYZ Club Scrapbooks, 1971-1993, comprise two volumes dated 1971-1985 and 1986-1993. The scrapbooks contain news clippings about the club itself as well as individual members, photographs, letters, invitations, copies of the Golden Chatter newsletter, cards, postcards, event programs, and obituaries. Photographs include group portraits of XYZ Club members and snapshots taken at events organized by the club.

Descriptive Summary

Title: XYZ Club Scrapbooks
Call Number: ORG.5280
Creator: XYZ Club (Manteo, N.C.)
Date: 1971-1993 1971-1993
Extent: 0.500 cubic feet, 0.400 cubic feet
Language: English
Repository: Outer Banks History Center

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], ORG.5280, XYZ Club Scrapbooks, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

Collection Overview

The XYZ Club Scrapbooks, 1971-1993, comprise two volumes dated 1971-1985 and 1986-1993. The scrapbooks contain news clippings about the club itself as well as individual members, photographs, letters, invitations, copies of the "Golden Chatter" newsletter, cards, postcards, event programs, and obituaries. Photographs include group portraits of XYZ Club members and snapshots taken at events organized by the club. In many cases, individuals depicted in photographs and clippings have been identified by name, either by the scrapbooks' original creator or by other individuals in the years since the scrapbook's creation. The second volume ends in 1988, with several envelopes, photographs, and clippings dated 1986-1993 loosely inserted after the last page, presumably awaiting addition to the scrapbook. The scrapbooks' creator is unidentified, but may have been founding member and newsletter editor Marjorie Wescott, to whom several letters included in the 1971-1985 volume are addressed.

Arrangement Note

Chronological.

Biographical/Historical

The first meeting of Manteo, N.C.'s new senior citizens' group, tentatively called the "Over 50 Club," was held Tuesday 14 September 1971 at the Dare County Library. The group's founding members were Jean Ward, Evelyn Gibbs, Marjorie Wescott, Alfreda Mann, and Gwen Taylor. The group was soon given the name "XYZ Club," which stood for "X-tra Years of Zest." Anyone over the age of 50 was invited to join. The group met on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings usually included a program and refreshments in addition to a general business portion. At meetings, members of the group often discussed current events and topics related to aging. In addition to business meetings, members of the group completed community service projects, such as visitation to homebound senior citizens, community improvement projects, outreach to local school groups, fundraisers, quilt raffles, and other philanthropic pursuits. The XYZ Club also organized social outings for its members, such as birdwatching trips, hikes, potlucks, shopping trips, fashion shows, and picnics. Members were kept apprised of events in a club newsletter called "The Golden Chatter." The XYZ Club met regularly from 1971 to early 1990, at which point it appears to have disbanded.

Contents of the Collection

1. Scrapbook, September 1971- January 1986

Scrapbook, September 1971- January 1986

Box 1

2. Scrapbook, October 1987-1993

Scrapbook, October 1987-1993

Box 1

Subject Headings

Ward, Jean Mabel Turner, 1900-1997

Wescott, Marjorie Baum, 1913-2006

Clubs--North Carolina--Manteo

Older People--North Carolina

Older People--Social life and customs

Older People--Societies and clubs.

Manteo (N.C.)--Social life and customs

Acquisitions Information

Donated by Cedric Grgurich, March 2009.

Processing Information

Processed by Samantha Crisp, July 2018.