Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock Records 201511-001
Genevieve Maxwell
Occidental College Library
September 2016
1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles 90041-3314
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Occidental College Library
Title: Women's Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock records
creator:
Women's Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock
Identifier/Call Number: 201511-001
Physical Description:
15 Linear Feet
8 bankers boxes
18 archival boxes
3 plastic bins
Date (inclusive): 1903-2014
Date (bulk): 1960-1990
Abstract: The records document the activities of the Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock from its founding in 1903 to the present.
Included are meeting minutes, event programs, yearbooks, club histories, financial records, scrapbooks, photographs, and other
records documenting the club’s social and community service functions.
Processing Information
Records were primarily found aggregated and organized by function or topic and date range. This existing arrangement was largely
maintained and files titled as found. Some like materials were grouped together during processing, notably the Yearbooks and
Meeting Minutes. A detailed inventory is available for each box.
Biographical / Historical
The Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock was founded in February of 1903 when a small group of women in the Eagle
Rock Valley met at the home of Mrs. Phillip W. Parker. Like other turn-of-the-century women’s clubs, they were organized around
the aims of self-improvement and public service and locally sought “to promote the social and literary welfare of the valley.”
Programs between 1907 and 1912 focused on civic responsibility and women’s education and suffrage. In 1908, the Club joined
the California State Federation of Women’s Clubs (CSFW). In 1910 two members of the club were delegates to the CSFW convention
at Long Beach where they were the first to sign a petition to the State Legislature on behalf of women’s suffrage. In 1912
the club adopted a resolution protesting against Occidental College’s proposal to exclude women students and later in 1922
would establish a women’s scholarship fund. In 1913 members secured a grant of $7,500 from the Carnegie Corporation for a
public library which opened in Eagle Rock in 1915. The club has been actively involved in various philanthropic efforts and
charitable commitments throughout its history such as organizing a Red Cross Auxiliary, holding Liberty Bond drives, donating
to disaster relief funds, conservation efforts and local families in need.
The operations of the WTCC are guided by a constitution and by-laws with officers elected every two years. In past, various
sections, each with a chairman and committee, historically focused on such topics as California history, spiritual values,
literature, art, music, conservation, crime prevention, and veterans affairs. Club activities, rosters, directories, reports,
meeting dates, federation information, articles of incorporation, bylaws, standing rules and club histories were recorded
in annual yearbooks (and more recently scrapbooks) beginning in 1905. In 1924 the WTCC became an affiliate of the General
Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Planning for a clubhouse had begun in 1904 and through donations and fundraising the land for the Women’s Twentieth Century
Club of Eagle Rock was purchased in 1912. The Craftsman style building was constructed at 5105 Hermosa Ave. (at Colorado Blvd.)
in 1914 and had its formal dedication ceremony February 25, 1915. The first meeting at the clubhouse was held one month later.
The clubhouse, with its lounge, assembly hall with stage and dining area, continues to provide a home for meetings and community
events such as lectures, cultural events, exhibits and fundraising projects. Building rental revenues help to finance the
club’s operations and philanthropic activities. In 1991 the clubhouse was declared a Los Angeles Cultural Monument and in
2013 it joined the National Register of Historic Places.
The collection is made up of materials collected by the appointed club historian and members of the Women's Twentieth Century
Club of Eagle Rock. Occidental College Special Collections took temporary possession of a few boxes in October 2015 and then
the rest of the collection in January 2016. After processing, the materials were returned to the WTCC to be stored at their
Clubhouse.
Sources:
“WTCC from 1970 to the present,” Karen Warren
“The Eagle Rock Women’s Twentieth Century Clubhouse” application to the National Register of Historic Places
“WTCC History” posted on club website: http://www.wtcc-er.org/history/
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California Federation of Womens Clubs
Women -- Societies and Clubs -- History
Womens Clubs
Eagle Rock
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Women's Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock
Series 1. Organizational records
1903 - 2015
Abstract: The series documents the meetings, finances, scheduled events, membership, and history of the Women’s Twentieth Century Club.
Scope and Contents
Organizational records are comprised of meeting minutes, reports and member records including directories, duties and dues
lists. Financial records consisting of treasurer’s reports, ledgers, receipts and other financial documents, as well as written
club histories, event programs, yearbooks, award certificates, and clippings are also contained. This series consists of six
subseries: 1.1, Meeting Minutes and Reports; 1.2, Membership; 1.3, Club History; 1.4, Financial Records; 1.5, Yearbooks; 1.6,
Event documentation, publications and other material.
box 1, box 4, box 7, box 12A, box 12B, box 12C, box 13, box 14, box 15, box 16, box 17
1. Meeting minutes and reports
1903-2014
Scope and Contents
Box 1: President’s reports/duties, 1971-1983, annual reports 1976-1977; Box 4: federation secretary reports, 1970-1977, reports
from various sections (including but not limited to): music, public education and scholarship, community service, gardening,
safety, youth and family, veterans and armed forces, spiritual values and ethics, Indian affairs, and status of women, 1973-1974;
Box 7: officers and chairman’s report, 1971; Box 12A: bound notebooks of general meeting minutes, 1903-1919; Box 12B: bound
notebooks of general meeting minutes, 1924-1940; Box 12C: bound notebooks of general meeting minutes, 1940-1955; Box 13: binders/folder
of board minutes, 2001-2002; 2003-2004; 2006-2010; 2004-2005; Box 14: bound notebooks of executive meeting minutes, 1919-1940;
Box 15: bound notebooks of executive meeting minutes, 1940-1953; Box 16: bound notebooks and binders of general meeting minutes,
1970-2003 and executive meeting minutes, 1954-1971; Box 17: binders of general and board minutes, 2007-2014.
box 4, box 7, box 10, box 18, box 19
2. Membership
1903-2014
Scope and Contents
Subseries contains records related to membership such as committee and section activities, lists, duties, dues, guestlists
and directories. Box 4: Folders of members and dues lists, 1968-1977, recording secretary duties; Box 7: 2009 roster; Box
10: papers relating to Junior Membership, 1972-1973, Epsilom Sigma Omricon (ESO) reading lists circa 1960s, postcards, photos
related to California History and Landmarks section ; Box 18: member directories, 2007-2013, membership tea guestlist, 2001,
2003, 2005; Box 19: pamphlet of California Historical Landmarks.
box 1, box 2, box 6, box 7, box 10, box 19, box 20
3. Club history
1903-2014
Scope and Contents
The subseries consists primarily of typed copies of WTCC histories written by club members, including those that served as
annual summaries of the club’s activities and histories that cover a wider time span, i.e. 1903-1953. Some histories also
contain clippings, certificates. Box 1: histories, 1970-1976, 1991-1992; Box 2: bound pamphlet history of the club, 1903-1953;
Box 6: history, 1968-1969; Box 7: contains miscellaneous folders on notable events in club history; Box 10: contains album
of written histories of the Los Angeles Metropolitan District, California Federation of Women’s Clubs, circa 1970s; Box 19:
histories, 1950-1970, folder labeled Historic containing miscellaneous items: awards, reports, badges. Box 20: folder 3 contains
Club History 1903 -1953 booklets, papers, photographs and 2 CDR/DVD Rs of digital objects related to club history.
box 1, box 4, box 9, box 10, box 18
4. Financial records
1938-2014
1970-2003
Scope and Contents
Box 1: Treasurer report, 1977-1978; Box 4: folders of receipts, 1972-1974; Box 9: bound ledgers, 1938-1945, check stubs 1981-82,
folders containing financial information, 1983-1985; Box 10: spiral bound notebook of Treasurer’s Reports for California History
and Landmarks, 1960-1967; Box 18: binder labeled WTCC Folder 2002-2003 contains financial statements related to events.
box 2
5. Yearbooks
1905-2005
Scope and Contents
Contains series of annual announcements in the form of bound pamphlets, labeled alternatively as Yearbooks, Programs and Annual
Announcements or not at all. There are also a small number of Yearbooks from the Verdugo District - California Federation
of Women’s Clubs. Yearbooks generally contain: in-memoriam, rosters (past presidents, administration, life-members, officers,
board of directors), club history, calendars of activities, directory, treasurer’s reports, meeting dates, federation information,
articles of incorporation, bylaws, and standing rules. Box 2: Yearbooks ranging from 1905-2005. See detailed inventory for
exact years represented.
box 2
5.1 California Federation of Women’s Clubs yearbooks
1963-1976
Scope and Contents
Box 2: Verdugo District yearbooks 1963-1976; California Federation of Women's Clubs Yearbook, 1984-1985.
box 4, box 6, box 7, box 8, box 10, box 18, box 19, box 20
6. Event documentation, publications and other material
1925-2014
Scope and Contents
The subseries includes WTCC certificates, event programs, flyers, bulletins, awards, clippings, newsletters, magazines and
other miscellaneous printed material. Common events include: teas, fashion shows, holiday boutique and craft fairs, holiday
dinners, installation of officers, rummage sales, fundraisers, bingo. Box 4: newspaper clippings circa 1970s, binder from
installation of officers, 2003; Box 6: event flyers, 2001; Box 7: contains miscellaneous loose paper, folders gathered on
notable events in club history, envelopes of clippings, cards, display items for 100th anniversary; Box 8: membership tea
guest list, 2001, 2003, 2005; Box 10: copies of Clubwoman and The Torch magazines, awards and certificates; Box 18: folders
containing material related to events such as Friendship Tea, Installation Dinner, Fashion Show, Holiday Boutique and Craft
Fair, Holiday Dinner, Installation of Officers, Membership Tea, 2002-2005; 2003-2006; 2007-2012; 2013, 2014; Box 19: folder
of newsletters, envelope of newspaper clippings, awards, 1960-1962. Box 20: Contains file folders of Fashion Show programs,
2001-2012, bulletins from 1925, 1929, 1930, 1933-1940, misc. programs, file folders labeled General Info, Club History, California
History - Landmarks and Wildflowers, Penny Pines, Club 70th Anniversary, Club 50th Anniversary, Programs - Various (1973-2001),
Other Clubs - District, Time Capsule (2028) all containing flyers, certificates, pamphlets, loose papers documenting events,
sections and club history.
Series 2. Scrapbooks, photographs, and other graphic material
1930-2013
Abstract: The series consists primarily of scrapbooks documenting activities of the WTCC through organized newspaper clippings, photographs,
and other enclosed material; it also includes loose photographs of club officers and events.
Scope and Contents
Series includes bound scrapbooks, press books, photo albums and loose photographic material. Scrapbooks and press books generally
contain a mix of photos, clippings, newsletters, awards, and flyers.
box 3, box 5, box 6, box 8, box 9, box 10, box 11, box 22, box 23, box 24, box 25, box 26, box 27, box 28
1. Scrapbooks and Press Books
1930-2013
Physical Description: Some of the scrapbooks contained in this series are fragile and need to be handled with care. Notably, the scrapbooks in Boxes
8, 9, 24 and 27 are brittle and have mild to moderate damage to their binding.
Scope and Contents
Subseries contains bound scrapbooks containing photos, flyers, cards, announcements, newspaper clippings and other paper materials.
Box 3: scrapbooks 2004-2007; 2007-2009; 2009-2010, scrapbook of California History and Landmarks section, 1982-1992, scrapbook
of newsletters, The Torch and Clubwoman 1974-1975; Box 5: scrapbooks, circa 1930-1932; 1973-1974; 1989-1991; Box 6: Press
Book 1985-1987; Box 8: scrapbooks 1957-1958; 1961-1971; Box 9: craft scrapbook containing patterns and craft ideas, clippings
from magazines, scrapbooks 1937-1938; 1958-1959; 1966-1968; Box 10: scrapbook labeled California History and Landmarks, (1980s),
California History and Landmarks, 1983-1985; Box 11: Scrapbook, 2011- 2012, 2012-2013, scrapbook labeled Juniors 1970-1976;
Box 22: Eagle Rock Juniors scrapbook, 1942-1943; Box 23: scrapbook 1936-1937; Box 24: leather scrapbook from 1938-1939; Box
25: scrapbook labeled California History and Landmarks, 1966-1968, scrapbook 1971-1972; Box 26: scrapbook labeled Dedicated
to Mrs. Frederick Beach President, 1949-1950, scrapbook labeled Press Book '83-'85. Box 27: scrapbook, 1963-1965; Box 28:
scrapbook, 1972-1973.
box 4, box 6, box 7, box 10, box 19, box 20
2. Photographs and Photo Albums
1949-2001
Scope and Contents
Subseries contains bound photo albums primarily or exclusively of photographic material and loose photographs outside of albums.
Other photos can be found in scrapbooks (subseries 2.1). Box 4: Large manila envelope with photos in sleeves. Photocopies
of photos with notes identifying those pictured are included; Box 6: small photo album with photos from 2001 camellia fashion
show; Box 7: misc. photos; Box 10: small bag of photos; Box 19: proofs of b and w photographs (no date), folder labeled Historic
contains 2 b and w photographs from 1949 related to “May Fair”; Box 20: Club 50th Anniversary folder contains photographs.
Scans of photographs are also contained in Series 4.
box 7, box 18
Series 3. Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock Clubhouse
1904-2014
Abstract: The series contains documents related to the maintenance and rental of the WTCC Clubhouse as well as documentation related
to its status as a Los Angeles Cultural Monument and efforts to be recognized in the National Registry of Historic Places.
Scope and Contents
Series contains materials related to the WTCC Clubhouse, including rentals, grounds, maintenance, historic landmark application
and status. Box 7: Article about other lots considered for clubhouse; Box 18: binder labeled WTCC Board of Directors - Special
Meeting, House and Grounds, August 22, 2014 contains items related to Clubhouse and grounds. Additional materials to be found
in Series 4: Electronic records.
Series 4. Electronic records
2000-2015
Abstract: The series consists of digitized paper and photographic material from the collection and born-digital correspondence related
to the WTCC. These digital objects were created and organized by club member Karen Warren and Eric Warren, president of the
Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society. Items from the collection were scanned from 2000 to 2015 by Eric Warren. Files are named
and arranged into a folder structure established by the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society.
Scope and Contents
The series contains digitized material from the WTCC records as well as records from the Eagle Rock Valley Historical society,
both digitized and some born-digital material. These digital objects include photographs, programs, clippings, reports, pages
from scrapbooks and other material. Folders include but are not limited to: WTCC Clippings, WTCC Clubhouse Plans-Documents,
WTCC Histories Info, WTCC Nat Register, WTCC Presidents, WTCC Programs Monthly, and 1990-1991 WTCC Los Angeles Historic-Cultural
Landmark Application. Note: not all objects are arranged in folders. For access to electronic records contact Occidental Library
Special Collections.
Note on Electronic records:
Description of Electronic records created by Eric Warren, president of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society:
The collection you see is the result of many years effort beginning with the scanning of the ERVHS photo collection and stimulated
by the needs of ongoing preservation, documentation and celebration efforts. The somewhat disorderly collection results from
the changing perceptions of how to organize the materials. For example the prefix numbers on photographs come from the early
effort to catalog the ERVHS collection. The prefix dates are the result of my adoption of a standardized dating system in
the file name which puts the materials in date order in the files and Adobe Bridge, the software used to view the files. This
is an ongoing effort that is incomplete and a work still in progress.
File Folder definitions:
The WTCC Clipping files are from the collection of the ERVHS. And are held there.
The clubhouse plans documents folder is from various sources FP- Frank Parrello, AHH- Ann Hare Harrison, The email exchange
contains the correspondents, Jeff Samudio is an architectural historian who was involved in the HCM process
The Histories-Info Folder is the result of my effort to compile the various materials about the Club in one place. Attributions
used: KBW-Karen Baars Warren, FJJ-Francis J Johnston (excerpts from a history of Eagle Rock written by Mr. Johnston, DRMA-Donna
R. M. Adams (wrote capsule histories of many ER groups for the ERVHS).
The WTCC presidents folder is the result of my efforts to revise and correct the list of presidents which has been used on
the back of the installation program. The early black and white photos are from the ERVHS collection. The later photos are
from the WTCC collection and from the recent presidents themselves.
The 1980-92 CA WTCC Photos are scans of photos posted on mat board and now cut down for filing with an effort to put names
to the people photographed. The materials are in poor condition but show an ill documented time in the club.
2014-02-08 WTCC CENT CELEBRATION photos taken by local photographer Al C Strange and given digitally to the club.
Note that these are part of a large quantity of recent digital photos of club activities taken by Karen and myself. 2008-2016.These
are held along with various records of the period 2007-2016 (most significantly board minutes) in my computer and backup.
The 2015 WTCC Clubhouse photos and drawings were created and compiled by me as part of the effort to restore the pergola.
The unclassified materials are mostly from the WTCC collection with the exception of the clubhouse photos, which are mostly
from the ERVHS collection. The digital origin color photos are mostly mine. The most prominent attribution codes appear at
the end of the filenames. ADV-Eagle Rock Advertiser, S-Eagle Rock Sentinel, HL-BDJ Huntington Library-BD Jackson (photographer),
AB Anita Bennett (Ms Bennett’s Grandfather? Walter B. Brown was the carpenter for the construction of the clubhouse.), LA-Linda
Allen
Source: 2016 email communication with Eric Warren, president of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical society