Administrative Information | Search Terms | Background Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     Forum / Ethical Culture Club records

Dates:     1908-1928 (bulk 1919-1928)

Creator:     unknown

Physical Description:     0.21 linear feet—1 container

Collection number:     MA 2

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Collection is composed of records of meetings, constitution and other materials related to the club. Also includes a club history.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance:     These files were found in the archives stacks in the fall of 1997.  There is no indication of where they came from or how they came to be here.  As one of the items was written by a former librarian, William S. Powers, and some of the correspondence was addressed to him, it is possible he left them here.

Access Restrictions:     This collection is open to research without restriction. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright Status:     Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred Citation:     [Identification of item]. Forum / Ethical Culture Club records, MA 2, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing Information:    Duplicates were discarded during processing. This collection was processed by Elizabeth B. Scott, 10 March 1998 with revisions on June 24, 2008 [cjg].

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

• Powers, William Howard, 1868-1936.

 Subjects:

• Ethical Culture Club (Brookings, S.D.)—Archives.

• Forum (Club : Brookings, S.D.)

• Men—South Dakota—Societies and clubs.

BACKGROUND NOTE

The Forum was organized in Brookings, South Dakota in January 1906.  It was then called the Ethical Culture Club; according to one of its historians.  It held its original meetings on Sunday and “was to be a substitute on a basis of liberal theology for church going”.  These early days not withstanding, the Forum, as it became known after October 14, 1910, was essentially a meeting for the free discussion of any topic of interest.  Topics included, child labor laws, the establishment of a public library, promotion of a league to enforce peace, and the use of metric measures.  Many of these topics, particularly the building of a library, actually became calls to action.

The Forum was made up of members of both the college and the town with the majority being drawn from all parts of the College.  According to William Powers, Forum historian, the outside membership has been distributed among different professions, including clergymen.  Membership seems to have only been limited to men, with the added provision that all members were expected at some time to present a paper.

Governance of the organization was made up of a president, vice president and secretary treasurer who made up the executive committee.  There were also two standing committees for programs and for membership.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

The Forum / Ethical Culture Club records are composed of records of meetings, constitution and other materials related to the club. Also includes a club history.

ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS

The Forum / Ethical Culture Club Records are composed of miscellanies from both the era of the Forum and the time of the Ethical Culture Club.  Materials from the latter era consist of the record of meetings from the years 1908-1910.  Material for the latter years includes the minutes of meetings, a copy of the constitution, some miscellaneous materials and a history of the club written by William Powers.  Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

Box 1.

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