Yosemite Women's Group Collection, 1955-1989
Online content
Collection context
Summary
Background
- Scope and content:
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The collection is arranged according to the order by which it was created starting in 1955, which is chronological. As materials were created, the group’s secretary would place these into binders, grouping general meeting agenda and notes with event announcements or letters referenced during that meeting. At the time of donation, this chronological scheme had been in place already for a majority of the records, and thus, the arrangement of this collection reflects that continuity. The Yosemite Women’s Group Collection does not include series or subseries. As records created and maintained by the group, all materials are directly related to the activities of the organization and are thus grouped together as records of a similar nature.
- Biographical / historical:
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The Yosemite Women’s Group was founded by Marian Woessner, wife of Yosemite dentist Charles Woesnner, in 1951, shortly after their arrival in Yosemite during the winter of that year. As a recreational club for women living in and around Yosemite, group members participated in monthly meetings as well as programs such as hiking trips, luncheons, and lectures organized by officers. The group also organized a yearly activity calendar with several events open to non-members, including an annual holiday craft bazaar; and dances and outings for family and friends. Additionally, the group regularly planned fundraising events for numerous causes and programs in Yosemite, such as a scholarship program for college-bound students living in the park. Group members also hosted and entertained students for the annual American Field Service weekend. The group was most active from 1955 to 1989 when it disbanded due to low membership.
- Acquisition information:
- The Yosemite Women’s Group Collection came to Yosemite National Park through two separate donations, which were subsequently accessioned separately in 1992. Kathy Ash-Flashner and Kay Pitts, the two final members, donated a portion of the group’s records to the Yosemite Research Library in 1990, which were formally accessioned in 1992 as accession YOSE-05635. This accession largely includes materials from the 1980’s, including scholarship applications from 1987-1989 and documents related to the women’s group participation in the annual American Field Service weekend from 1982-1985. Another former member, Gail Matteson, donated additional records in 1992 (accession YOSE-05651), which now make up the bulk of the collection, spanning 1955 through 1982. Originally housed in three binders, these records largely maintained the chronological order by which they were created, and include monthly meeting notes, event announcements, letters, group member surveys, and copies of the group’s formal bylaws and constitution.
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1955-1989
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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Folder 28 in Box 2 contains sensitive information protected by the Privacy Act and is restricted.
- Preferred citation:
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Yosemite Women's Group Collection. Yosemite National Park Archives
- Location of this collection:
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5083 Foresta RoadEl Portal, CA 95318, US
- Contact:
- (209)379-1282