South Dakota State University Archives

Box 2115 Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007-1098
605-688-5094  arcrefs@sdstate.edu



General Federation of Women's Clubs of South Dakota Records/
Memorial Art Center Campaign Records
 

Background

Arrangement and Content

Restrictions

Subject Terms

Administrative Information

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Collection Summary 

Creator:

General Federation of Women's Clubs of South Dakota
 

Title:

General Federation of Women's Clubs of South Dakota Records/Memorial Art Center Campaign Records
 

Dates:

Inclusive:  1941-1984
Bulk:        1949-1976
 

Abstract:

The Memorial Art Center Campaign sub-group consists of correspondence, minutes, financial records, agreements, clippings, and architectural renderings and blueprints.
 

Physical Description:

2 linear feet—2 containers
 

Collection Number:

MA 28.2

Background 

The idea of an art center for South Dakota originated with the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs when Mrs. Herbert Kenyon of Yankton was state president (1947-1949). At the state convention in 1950, a resolution was approved asking that a suitable building be erected, to be known as the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs Memorial Art Center.

For fifty years the Federation had been influential in movements for the cultural development of this members and the state in which they live.  The women had collected fine reproduction of painting, some originals, and art objects to be circulated and used for study by clubs.  This collection was kept in Pierre in the home of Mrs. S.C. Polley, who, with several others, was active in developing the work.  The Free Library Commission took over the storage when the collection became too large and had to be moved,  As interest grew in these art treasures, the need for establishing a Memorial Art Center became apparent.

In December, 1948, the Pierre Women’s Club presented a resolution to the official board asking that the Federation sponsor the erection of a building, as “a memorial to the determined women who pioneered the women’s club movement in the state.”  The resolution to establish such a memorial passed at the convention in Rapid City in October 1950, and a fund for the purpose was started.

To select a location, cities and institutions were asked to extend an invitation to the Federation.  Five cities responded: Pierre, Huron, Spearfish, Vermillion, and Brookings.  It was announced in April, 1955, that Brookings had been chosen as the site.  The Regents of Education for South Dakota approved the placing of the Memorial Art Center on the State College campus on June 23, 1955.  A fundraising campaign was launched and was successful in raising nearly $350,000.  A federal grant of $166,666 was also obtained with the Federation contribution nearly $55,000. 

Construction began in 1969 on the South Dakota State University campus and the building was dedicated in May 1970.

Arrangement and Content

The Memorial Art Center Campaign sub-group consists of correspondence, minutes, financial records, agreements, clippings, and architectural renderings and blueprints. 

Container List—MA 28.2 Memorial Art Center Campaign Records
 

Box

Folder

Description

Dates

6

1

Architectural rendering

n.d.

 

2

Articles of agreement

1956-1965

 

3

Blueprints

1968

 

4

Campaign plan for fund raising

1958-1959

 

5

Clippings

1955-1972

 

6

Contract with Wells, Inc.

1957-1959

 

7

Correspondence

1941

 

8

Correspondence

1950

 

9

Correspondence

1951

 

10

Correspondence

1952

 

11

Correspondence

1953

 

12

Correspondence

1954

 

13

Correspondence

1955

 

14

Correspondence

1956

 

15

Correspondence

1957

 

16

Correspondence

1958

 

17

Correspondence

1959

 

18

Correspondence

1960

 

19

Correspondence

1961

 

20

Correspondence

1962

 

21

Correspondence

1963

 

22

Correspondence

1964

 

23

Correspondence

1965

 

24

Correspondence

1966

 

25

Correspondence

1967

 

26

Correspondence

1968

 

27

Correspondence

1969

 

28

Correspondence

1970

 

29

Correspondence

1971

 

30

Correspondence

1972

 

31

Correspondence

1973

 

32

Correspondence

1974

 

33

Correspondence

1975

 

34

Correspondence

1976

 

35

Dedication

1970

 

36

Financial—Club pledges/interest record

1949-1968

 

37

Financial—Club pledges

1950-1970

7

1

Financial—Deposit slips

1960-1976

 

2

Financial—Funds: General, Memorial Arts

1945-1958

 

3

Financial—Memorial Arts Center Fund

1949-1959

 

4

Financial—Miscellaneous

1966

 

5

Financial—Pledge book

1956-1958

 

6

Financiel—Pledges

1955-1973

 

7

Financial—Receipt book

1962-1965

 

8

Financial—Secretary report

1954-1965

 

9

Financial—Savings book

1958-1984

 

10

Financial—Statement

1956-1968

 

11

Grant application

1966-1968

 

12

History of Memorial Art Center movement

1955-1978

 

13

Legislation

1954-1975

 

14

Memorials

1973-1978

 

15

Minutes

1950-1959

 

16

Minutes

1960-1969

 

17

Newsletter: South Dakota Memorial Art Center News

1959-1971

 

18

Pamphlets

1956-1973

 

19

Proposed location, objects of art, etc.

1952-1966

 

20

Publicity

1959-1969

 

21

Reports

1949-1961

 

22

Research: Other museums, etc.

1958-1967

 

23

South Dakota Memorial Art Center Guild by-laws

1970-1971

 

24

Walter B. Cheever thesis: A memorial art center for South Dakota State College (2 copies)

1961

 

25

Writings

n.d.

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Restrictions

 Use of Materials

This collection is open to research without restriction.

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Subject Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the subject guide. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the subject guide using these headings.

  • General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

  • General Federation of Women’s Clubs of South Dakota. District V.

  • South Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs.

  • South Dakota Art Museum.

  • South Dakota Memorial Art Center.

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 Administrative Information

Preferred citation 

General Federation of Women’s Clubs of South Dakota Records/Memorial Art Center Campaign Records, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Provenance

This material was transferred to the archives by the South Dakota Art Museum in 2002.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt on 5 February 2003.

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Copyright 2006 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives.
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Last updated 9 February 2006.