Finding aid for Novelty (Club : Lansdowne, Pa.) Records, 1887-1992
General International Standard for Archival Description
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.
Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by FHL Staff, 2007
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Novelty Records 1887-1992
Novelty (Club : Lansdowne, Pa.)
Biographical History for: Novelty Records 1887-1992
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE The Novelty was a women's social club founded in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, in 1887. Most of its first members were Quakers and members of Lansdowne Monthly Meeting. The group was established for the promotion of sociability and good house and home-keeping, according to its by-laws. It remained a small group (limited to thirty until 1929 and subsequently, forty members) and met in members' homes. Besides fellowship, the meetings for many years consisted of a time for reading and questions, usually on household matters. Although primarily social in mission, the group did address concerns in the community such as unwrapped bread and lack of trash cans, and in the twentieth century, it established a civic committee. The Novelty's members were active in the establishment of other civic groups such as the Lansdowne Library, Needlework Guild, and the Associated Charities Association. The Club encouraged the founding in 1904 of a larger women's group, the Twentieth Century Club of Lansdowne, a federated women's club; the first president of Novelty, Lydia T. Hallowell, also served as the first president of the Twentieth Century Club. By 1992, with changing times, membership had dwindled, and almost half of the active members were residing in homes for the aged in the Philadelphia area.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS The records contain material preserved in a metal box labeled "The Novelty." It includes minutes, 1887-1938 and scattered, 1954, 1982-1984; by-laws and membership lists and attendance, writings by members, histories, and some miscellaneous material. Organized into four series: Organization:By-laws and membershipMinutesWritingsMiscellaneous
The Neighbors Club, the men's social club in Lansdowne, is still active in 2003.
Quakers -- Societies, etc.
Pennsylvania -- Social life and customs
Pennsylvania -- Societies, etc. -- Social
Lansdowne (Pa.)
Novelty (Lansdowne, Pa.)
series
Ser. 1 By-Laws and Membership
Printed by-laws and membership lists, published irregularly
Creation of Printed by-laws and membership lists, published irregularly
Time of Creation of Printed by-laws and membership lists, published irregularly
Ser. 2 Minutes
Minutes
Minutes, including loose sheet describing 50th anniversary meeting with a brief history
Loose minutes
Ser. 3 Writings
Book 1: Original Papers. Includes a history of the Club by Virginia Guilford, 1894, and other compositions by members
Creation of Book 1: Original Papers. Includes a history of the Club by Virginia Guilford, 1894, and other compositions by members
Time of Creation of Book 1: Original Papers. Includes a history of the Club by Virginia Guilford, 1894, and other compositions by members
Bacteria, by Mrs. Kennedy
Creation of Bacteria, by Mrs. Kennedy
Time of Creation of Bacteria, by Mrs. Kennedy
Novelty Round Robin: Compositions by members
Creation of Novelty Round Robin: Compositions by members
Time of Creation of Novelty Round Robin: Compositions by members
The Chautauqua, A Victim of the Radio, by Margaret H. Powell (composition book)
40th Anniversary History by Margaret H. Powell
Creation of 40th Anniversary History by Margaret H. Powell
Time of Creation of 40th Anniversary History by Margaret H. Powell
The Novelty, 1887-1970, by Edith Lewis White
Creation of The Novelty, 1887-1970, by Edith Lewis White
Time of Creation of The Novelty, 1887-1970, by Edith Lewis White
Novelty Food (Recipe book)
Ser. 4 Miscellaneous
Roll call, attendance
Creation of Roll call, attendance
Time of Creation of Roll call, attendance
Attendance
Creation of Attendance
Time of Creation of Attendance
Program schedule
Memorial for Edith White