Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records, Oberlin, Ohio
Scope and Contents
The Oberlin Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temperance Union is documented by administrative records, printed material, and miscellaneous items including newspaper clippings and a letter from Ann Hopkins Olds to the Oberlin Weekly News, 1888 March 8.
The administrative records include secretary’s books, 1897 January 5–1924 August 20 (2 vols.), which are mainly minutes of meetings plus a few newspaper clippings. Financial records include a treasurer’s book, 1901-1924 (1 vol.) and a few receipts. Other administrative records, including the Articles of Inclusion and miscellaneous minutes are in a separate volume.
Printed material consists of a 1902 membership roll and programs from 1897 to 1911. These records also contain a program from the Sixth Annual Convention of the National Nonpartisan Women's Christian Temperance Union; this convention was held at First Congregational Church in Oberlin in November 1895.
Dates
- Creation: 1897-1924
- Other: Date acquired: 01/01/1978
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted
Administrative History
The Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was organized on March 13, 1888, by women who believed that neither their influence nor their dues and contributions should be used to sustain partisan organizations. The Oberlin WCTU was an auxiliary to the state and national organizations, which had previously endorsed a third party (prohibition) and woman's suffrage. Because these women believed that partisanship narrowed the influence of the WCTU and impeded its temperance work, they began this second organization. (See the Oberlin Weekly News, March 3 and 15, 1888, for information about the founding). The activities of the nonpartisan group, which lasted until August 1924, were similar to those of the WCTU. Active members included Mrs. Phinney (the state president), Mary Burton Shurtleff, Ann Hopkins Olds, and Fannie J Bedortha.
Sources Consulted
William E. Bigglestone’s unpublished "[Preliminary] Guide to the Oberlin College Archives", which was prepared on individual entry sheets in a three-ring binder during the early 1980s; and, Guide to Women’s History Resources in the Oberlin College Archives, Roland Baumann, ed. (1990).
Note written by Archives staff.
Extent
0.40 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Method of Acquisition
The records of the Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temperance Union were received from the Oberlin College Library in 1978. Additional material was transferred from the Library's Special Collections in 2001 and 2025.
Accruals and Additions
Accession Nos: 1978/32, 2001/94, 2025/026
Genre / Form
- Title
- Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records, Oberlin, Ohio, Finding Guide
- Author
- William E. Bigglestone
- Date
- 01/01/1980
- Description rules
- Rules for Archival Description
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Oberlin College Archives Repository
420 Mudd Center
148 West College Street
Oberlin OH 44074-1532 US
440-775-8014
440-775-8016 (Fax)
archive@oberlin.edu