Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary Mardi Gras Programs Collection, 1956-1983

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Summary

Title:
Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary Mardi Gras Programs Collection
Dates:
1956-1983
Creators:
Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary.
Abstract:
The Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary held an annual Mardi Gras Ball, from the late 1940s to 1983, to benefit Camp Oliver in Descanso, California. This collection consists of programs from the Mardi Gras Ball.
Extent:
1.75 Linear feet (4 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary Mardi Gras Programs Collection, MS 259, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of event programs from the Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary Mardi Gras Balls from 1956 through its conclusion in 1983 (programs from 1957, 1965, 1968 are not included in collection). The programs are comprised primarily of advertisements from local businesses, many of whom integrated the event’s theme and members into the advertisements. Beginning pages of the programs contain features such as group photos of that year’s court as well as past years’ courts, names and photos of the event committee members, acknowledgements, lists of club members, Executive Board members, event patrons and contributors to the event, and the evening’s schedule. Through 1959, the programs also contained blank calendar pages. There are also items that were inserted in the annual programs such as bookmark and pencil advertisements, a Camp Oliver brochure from 1966, and loose printed images of the annual Mardi Gras’ courts.

Biographical / historical:

The Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary was a women’s group in San Diego, founded to assist the Sisters of Social Service. Members regularly volunteered at the Bayside Social Center, a settlement house in San Diego, and organized the annual Mardi Gras Ball, raising funds for Camp Oliver in Descanso. According to a 1966 brochure, Camp Oliver offered an environment where girls could grow “spiritually, physically, socially in the Christian atmosphere of the camp.” Camp Oliver was run by the Sisters of Social Service, and all proceeds from the annual Mardi Gras Balls went to the Camp Oliver Fund.

The Mardi Gras Ball was a major annual event. The Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary began planning for the ball every spring. Each member was responsible for finding advertisers for the program, attending work meetings and giving talks to the community about Camp Oliver. The Ball had a different theme each year, with sponsors incorporating the theme into their advertisements in the annual program. All decorations at the Ball were created by the members. An appropriately-dressed court presided over each Ball. Men served as court escorts, ushers, jesters and “masquers.” The Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary held this annual event until 1983.

Acquisition information:
Accession number 840426A.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Jennifer Ho on June 16, 2011.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

The items are arranged chronologically.

Physical / technical requirements:

Some programs have loose or detached pages. (June 15, 2011)

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Ho
Sponsor:
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Date Prepared:
June 16, 2011
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-02-13T16:03-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary Mardi Gras Programs Collection, MS 259, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website