Roundabout Club of Rochester Records
Scope and Content Note
The Roundabout Club of Rochester was a women's study club; intially dedicated to studying foreign countries and, later, literature. The materials in the collection date from 1885 to 1945. They include meeting minutes, research papers, Constitution and Bylaws, 1895; programs; correspondence; memorials to deceased members. “The Granite File” box; label: ‘Ms B The Roundabout Club Rochester, NY. Minutes, 1927/28-1944/45, 15 v. loose-leaf; Ms B The Roundabout Club Rochester, NY. History by Miss Helen Hollister in v. 27, 1941/42 [not found]; meeting of October 31, 1941.” -15 vols. handwritten meeting minutes and presentation summaries. 1885-1927. -Box: folders of handwritten meeting minutes 1927-1945; incl. critiques -Box: Bank Books, Constitution and Bylaws, 1895; programs; correspondence; memorials to deceased members Women’s social and reading club. Handwritten copies of papers read at some meetings. See: Rochester History – 10(1): 7 (Jan. 1948); 48 ( 1 & 2): 7-8, 10 (Jan & Apr. 1986); 3(3):21 (Jul. 1941; 8(2): 5 (Apr. 1946)
Dates
- Creation: 1885-1945
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.
Administrative History
The Roundabout Club was formed in October 1885 by a group of ladies from St. Luke's and First Presbyterian Churches. Led by Mrs. David M. Hough, they were the first Rochester club to adopt a formal constitution, dedicating themselves to "the mutual improvement of its members in literature, art, science, and the vital interests of the day." The group was initially limited to 16 members, growing to 20 as the daughters and daughters-in-law of the founders sought to join themselves. The organization was a study club - it first focused on studying the history and culture of foreign nations, later focusing on literary studies under the rubric of an annual program. The club survived for over 60 years; while the exact date of dissolution could not be determined, the final meeting notice appear in the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper in 1959.
Extent
2.2 Cubic Feet (5 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of 5 boxes.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The provenance of this collection is unknown.
Bibliography
McKelvey, Blake. Rochester's Literary and Book Clubs: Their Origins, Programs, and Accomplishments. University of Rochester Library Bulletin, Vol. XXXXI, 1989-1990.
Physical Description
Fair to good
- Title
- A Guide to the Roundabout Club of Rochester Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Cheri Crist
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org