Access
Use
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Alternative Forms of Material Available
Historical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Arrangement
Related Material
Title: American National Red Cross records
Date (bulk): 1917-1922
Collection Number: XX482
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
219 manuscript boxes, 1 card file box, 5 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 framed photograph, and 2 videotape cassettes
(95.5 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, memoranda, reports, financial records, lists, and photographs relating to relief work in Europe and the Middle
East, Russia, and China during and immediately after World War I. Also available on microfilm (339 reels).
Creator:
American National Red Cross
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Closed. Microfilm use only. Materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or
digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Acquisition Information
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], American National Red Cross records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library
& Archives
Alternative Forms of Material Available
Also available on microfilm (339 reels).
Historical Note
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental
Principals of the International Red Cross Movement. The Federal Charter states it is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization.
The organization's seven fundamental principles are: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service,
unity, and universality. This mission guides the organization to provide relief to victims of disasters and to help people
prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
At the beginning of the World War I, the American Red Cross was a small organization still in the process of developing its
identity and programs. When the United States declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, the organization began a period
of extraordinary growth. By the time the war ended in November 1918, the Red Cross had become a major national humanitarian
organization with strong leadership, a huge membership base, universal recognition, and a broad and distinguished record of
service. The Red Cross continues to respond to emergencies today.
Scope and Content of Collection
The records of the American National Red Cross (ARC) in this collection deal mainly with relief around the world during and
after World War I.
The records of the ARC are arranged by geographical location where each particular commission operated: commissions for the
Balkan States (including countries such as Albania, Austria-Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania,
Serbia), Belgium, China, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Palestine and Egypt, Switzerland, and Russia
(Petrograd Children's Colony, Siberia, Southern Russia, Western Russia, and Baltic States). The documents reflect the massive
efforts put forth by the ARC to deliver aid to regions devastated by the war.
If the commission for a certain region or country operated in another territory (for example the Commission for Czechoslovakia
opened hospitals on the territory of Russia), the documents may be found among the records of that geographic location. Along
with official reports and financial records, correspondence of gratitude for the ARC gives a human side to the organization.
The collection also contains records of related organizations including the American Relief Administration, International
and Junior Red Cross, YMCA, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. The material presents a comprehensive history
of relief work around the world, as well as economic and health conditions, political and social developments.
The
Miscellany series includes documents of most geographic areas of the American National Red Cross that were not included in the original
arrangement, and contains supplemental records of each commission.
Printed matter contains bulletins, magazines, reports, pamphlets, instructions, and manuals published by the ARC.
Arrangement
Records are arranged as originally received from the organization; generally by Commission or Office in geographical locations
as well as the Headquarters Offices. General materials, oversize items, and printed materials may be found after the geographic
locations
Related Material
The Hazel Braugh Record Center and Archives of the American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/museum/exhibits/braugh.asp provides additional information on the records center holdings as well as other repositories that hold American Red Cross
records, such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Library of Congress.
American Relief Administration Russian Operational records, 1919-1925, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
American Relief Administration European Operations Records, 1919-1923, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Mary Catherine Roberts papers, 1918-1978, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Burle Bramhall collection, 1973-1976, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Video tapes
World War, 1914-1918 -- Civilian relief
International relief
World War, 1914-1918 -- War work