MG 790 - Harrisburg Area Home Economics Club Collection
<< MG 789MG 791 >>Scope and Content
The collection contains newspaper clippings, photographs, club newsletters, meeting minutes and financial reports, correspondence, membership rosters, constitution and bylaws, yearbooks and other printed items relating to the club's activity and publicity, dating from 1940-1996, the bulk is from 1960's to the early 1990's.
The correspondence includes letters of appreciation from scholarship recipients and acknowledgments of speaking engagements. Many of the photographs and newspaper clippings detail the club's fashion shows and cooking demonstrations. The early records of the meeting minutes and treasurer's reports are handwritten; later records are typed.
Background
The Harrisburg Area Home Economics Club was organized in November, 1933, with the objectives "to meet and discuss topics related to the profession of home economics" and to "promote the advancement of home economics including financial aid to students." The group participated in numerous activities including craft, decorative and culinary art demonstrations; sewing and fashion shows; and child care education. Membership was limited to those who had received a bachelor of science degree in home economics or a comparable degree. Club members donated clothing to nursing homes, raised money for student scholarships, and sewed clothing for premature infants. The club was supported by fundraisers such as fashion shows and in part by utility companies. Home economics flourished in the early part of the century and the club had in excess of 150 members and enjoyed community recognition up to the 1980's. But interest faded after the 1960's as more jobs became accessible and acceptable for women. The final meeting of the Harrisburg Area Home Economics Club was held in October, 1998.
Date(s): 1940-1996
Extent: 2 boxes, 71 folders, 2 scrapbooks