Guide to the Delphian Study Club Records
MSS.2010.01.12
Aurelia Giusti
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Delphian Study Club Records
creator:
Delphian Study Club
source:
San José State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2010.01.12
Physical Description:
2 boxes
(2 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1931-2018
Abstract: The Delphian Study Club Records documents the San Jose Delphian Club's history and activities.
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
Delphian Study Club Records, MSS-2010-01-12, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San José State University Library grant
project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008.The Project Director
is Danelle Moon. The Project Archivist is Erin Louthen.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Aurelia Giusti. Finding aid EAD encoded by Aurelia Giusti. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Accruals added
to collection by Samira Habibi, March 2018.
Organizational History
The Delphian Society formed in Chicago around 1910 to promote women's education in the arts, literature and history. Following
the formation of the society, several chapters formed across the U.S., including a local chapter in San Jose.
On January 30, 1931, the San Jose chapter received their Charter from the national organization and at that time the seventy-nine
members named their branch the Alpha Chi Chapter. The goal of the members was to promote higher education, personal improvement,
and social progress. The Delphian Study Club, a women's book club, offered specific courses in the humanities. The members
were required to purchase the complete set of books though the meetings were non-scholarly. As part of their membership, the
women were required to present what they learned during their assigned readings and were encouraged to speak briefly from
direct knowledge and understanding rather than reciting a prepared speech. The Delphian Society published several volumes
of books containing an outline of human knowledge from ancient history, literature, drama, art, modern literature, poetry,
and music.
In 1947, the Alpha Chi Chapter spilt from the National Organization to form a separate autonomous organization, which they
renamed the Delphian Study Club. This spilt allowed the women the ability to charter their own study course based on subjects
of interest and speakers of their choice.
The Presidents of Delphian Study Club (1942-1985) include: Alice Fuller 1942, Thelma Carter 1950, Helen Miller 1960, Beth
Leese 1955, Bobbie Powell 1954, Gladys Scarborough 1964, Hazel Lambrecht 1962, Eileen Murphy 1963, Norma Spalding 1975, Fuji
Takaichi 1966, Tody Dahleen 1967, Kay Schilla 1964, Frances Lenz 1978, Marcia Vosti 1973, Sadye Lewis 1981, Helen Hughes 1977,
Marion Rumbolz 1976, Diane McLaughin 1979-1986, Carol Johnson 1981, Jacqui Smith 1982-1983, Geraldine Payne 1984-1985.
Related Material
The YWCA of Silicon Valley Records, MSS-2006-01-01, San José State University Library, Special Collections and Archives.
National Organization for Women, San José/South Bay chapter, MSS-2008-03-02, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
League of Women Voters, San José/Santa Clara chapter Records, MSS-2006-09-01, San José State University Library Special Collections
and Archives.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Delphian Study Club Records (1931-2018) document the San Jose Delphian Club's history and activities. The Delphian Study
Club originally formed as a chapter of the Delphian Society, which was founded in Chicago around 1910 to promote education
of women in the arts, literature, and history.
The San José Delphian Study Club was founded in 1931. The first name of this women's club was the Alpha Chi Chapter. The goal
of the club was to promote education, personal improvement and social progress. In 1947, the Alpha Chi Chapter spilt from
the National Organization to form a separate autonomous organization, which they renamed the Delphian Study Club.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. Delphian Club Materials, 1931-2016; Series II. Programs, 1957-2018.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women -- California -- San Jose (Calif.) -- Societies and clubs
Delphian Study Club
San José State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives
Series I: Delphian Club Materials
1931-2016
Series Scope and Content Summary
The materials in this series document the history and the activities of the Delphian Study Club Society formed in 1931. The
first name of this women's club was the Alpha Chi Chapter, a chapter of the national society. The records consist of meeting
minutes, handwritten notebooks, photographs, and newspapers. The meeting reports provide some documentation on club social
activities such as picnics and parties, as well as including revisions to their club constitution.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Box 2, Folder 2
"Understanding Modern Art" Book
1936
Box 2, Folder 3
"Creative Thinkers" book
1937
Box 2, Folder 6
The Delphian Quarterly
Autumn 1953
Box 2, Folder 7
Constitution and By-laws
June 1961
Box 1, Folder 9
Member List, Minutes and Constitution
1973-1980
Box 1, Folder 10
Minutes and Member Lists
1980-1985
Box 2, Folder 1
Delphian Club Photo Album
1993, 2007-2013
Box 1, Folder 13
Photographs, Minutes, and Newspapers
1993,1992-1996,1998
Box 1, Folder 14
Notes, Newspapers, History of Delphian Club
1964-1985
Box 1, Folder 15
Party Reports, Job, Newspapers
1962-1996
Box 1, Folder 19
April 2007 Spring Luncheon Programs , April 2008 Spring Luncheon Photos, 75th year celebration programs
2007-2008
Box 1, Folder 20
Member Roll Call
1999-2007
Box 2, folder 4
Delphian End-of-Year Photobooks
2011 and 2012
Box 1, Folder 21
Revised Club History, Member Histories/Bios, Delphian Fashion History
Box 2, Folder 5
"Remembering Catherine" Memorabilia Poster
Series II: Programs
1957-2018
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of club programs, which highlight the diversity of study subjects that include: ancient history, literature
(Montaigne, Steinbeck, Turgenev, Shakespeare, etc.), music (classicism, romanticism, Opera, Wagner, Brahms, etc.), art, philosophy
(Epicurus, Descartes, Spinoza, etc.), poetry (Milton, Whitman, etc.). A few of the speakers include Margie Gray, Fuji Takaichi,
Dr. Jeanne Elliott, Toddy Dahleen, and Stella George.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by year.
