Dublin Core
Title
Finding aid of Men's and Women's Clubs of Peninsula Township records
Subject
Traverse City (Mich.)
Description
Finding aid of the Men's and Women's Clubs of Peninsula Township records collection. Collection is part of the holdings of the Peninsula Community Library.
Creator
Barritt, Amy, & Morgan, Mary 1984-
Source
Local History Collections, Peninsula Community Library, Traverse City (Mich.)
Publisher
Peninsula Community Library
Date
2025
Contributor
None
Rights
This document is protected by copyright law. Contact the Peninsula Community Library for permission to reproduce, display or transmit this document.
Relation
Men's and Women's Clubs of Peninsula Township records
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Document
Identifier
LHC004pcl-findingaid.pdf
Coverage
Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan
PDF Text
Text
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS
PENINSULA COMMUNITY LIBRARY
2699 Island View Road Traverse City, MI 49686
Creators: Archie Senior and Junior Woman’s Clubs; Bowers Harbor Senior Woman’s Club; Mapleton Woman’s Club; Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs; Anna Cochlin Circle, Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club, Traverse City Business Men’s Association
Title: Peninsula Men’s and Women’s Clubs records
Inclusive dates: 1904-2024
Bulk dates: 1950-2012
Extent: 3 linear feet
Call number: LHC 004 Pcl
Language: Material is in English
Acquisition: Anonymous donations.
Accruals: Periodic additions to the collection are not expected.
Access: The collection is open without restriction.
Photographs: Box 2, Box 5, Box 6
A-V Material: None.
Digital Material: None.
Copyright: Copyright is held by the Peninsula Community Library.
Processed By: Amy Barritt, 2013, Mary Morgan 2020, 2025
Abstract
Records of the Woman’s Clubs of Peninsula Township, in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, documenting the history of Woman’s Clubs from the various towns located on Old Mission Peninsula. Clubs frequently engaged in social and intellectual pursuits, as well as supported social welfare in their communities. The Traverse City Business Men’s Association records are minimal. The series in the collection are: Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs, Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid, Archie Junior Woman’s Club, Archie Senior Woman’s Club, Mapleton Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Woman’s Club, Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club, Traverse City Business Men’s Association.
History
The Woman’s Clubs of Peninsula Township adopted their names from the village or school district that the members lived in. Each club was an individual organization, each unique in its membership and operations. According to the records of the Peninsula Federated Women’s Club, the following organizations were at one time operating on the Peninsula: Archie Senior Woman’s Club, Archie Junior Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Senior Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Junior Woman’s Club, Maple Grove Senior Friendship Club, Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club, Old Mission Woman’s Club, and Mapleton Woman’s Club.
The Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid (or the Anna Cochlin Division of the Congregational Ladies Aid Society) of Old Mission Congregational Church, was a group comprised entirely of women and served a similar social function as the Woman’s Clubs.
The Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs (or the Peninsula Federated Women’s Club) met biannually, once in the spring and once in the fall. Each club would in turn host the biannual meeting. The program usually consisted of a potluck lunch, a music or poetry performance, a speaker, and a business meeting. Frequently, the business meeting resulted in a joint project to be undertaken by the members of all the individual Clubs. Improving the Old Mission School landscaping was a frequent project for the Federation. On May 5, 1970, the Federation discontinued, citing a lack of interest and small attendance.
The Archie Woman’s Club was organized in September 1914, and county federated in November 1915. It was still operating in 1948-1949.
The Archie Junior Woman’s Club was organized in February 1940, and discontinued in 1998.
The Mapleton Woman’s Club was founded on 10 January 1950, although the name was not approved until the 18 January 1950 meeting. A vote by the membership on 18 May 1989 discontinued the Club; their final luncheon was held on 7 June 1989.
The Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club was founded in February, 1949 and is still in existence as of 1/28/2025. According to the club constitution, club membership is open to those who live in the Maple Grove and Mapleton School districts. The club holds meetings during the months of September through May. The object of the club is to help others and have social enjoyment. (NOTE: a disruption in the minutes in 2020/2021 is attributable to the COVID pandemic, when the women did not meet)
Scope and Content Note
The Woman’s Clubs of Old Mission Peninsula Township records contains the records that have been donated to the Peninsula Community Library over a period of several decades, typically after the Club had disbanded and the records were no longer of primary use to their creators. Meeting minutes, financial records, scrapbooks, annuals and correspondence are the primary records retained and donated by these Clubs. The series are organized by the creators: Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs, Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid, Archie Junior Woman’s Club, Archie Senior Woman’s Club, Mapleton Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Woman’s Club.
While not a part of the Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs, the Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid was a group comprised entirely of women and served a similar social function as the Woman’s Clubs. Their association with a church distinguishes this group from other Woman’s Clubs in the area, but their records are included with the collection because of the similarity in membership and mission between these organizations.
The Mapleton Woman’s Club series contains the minutes for the entire length of years that the Club operated. In addition, correspondence indicates the Club’s interest in assisting the operations of Camp Roy-El. The Camp was founded by camp directors Roy and Ellen Brigman in 1952, in response to the polio epidemic. Although the Club was not directly involved with the operations of the Camp, the Club frequently contributed to the Club from the Sunshine Funds, which was a collection of funds from the membership that was designated to be gifted to institutions that improved the lives of individuals within the communities of Old Mission. In response to the donations, the Camp directors sent the Club quarterly updates concerning the Camp’s operations and a summary of each week of Camp during the summer months. The Club’s final financial gift was given to Camp Roy-El, before discontinuing in May 1989.
Traverse City Business Men’s Association includes the delinquent debtor’s reports of the organization from 1904-1908. These were found in a donated copy of a Grand Traverse County atlas, and Library Staff do not believe the donation was intentional. Therefore, the record is highly incomplete.
Container No. Description
Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs [series]:
Box 1 Minutes, 2 October 1947-5 May 1970
Financial Records
Box 1 1958-1967
Box 1 20 July 1959-7 July 1970
Anna Cochlin Circle [series]:
Box 1 Minutes, 23 January 1935-November 1941
Archie Junior Woman’s Club [series]:
Box 1 Annuals, 1984 and undated
Box 1 Constitution, 6 February 1940 (with amendments, 1940-1954)
Box 1 Correspondence and unused stationery, 2006
Box 1 Financial Ledger, 10 February 1940-March 1998
Box 1 Financial Records,1963-1998
Archie Senior Woman’s Club [series]:
Annuals
Box 2 1921/1922, 1927/1928-1939/1940
Box 2 1940/1941-1948/1949
Box 2 1953/1954, 1961/1962, 1964/1965-1966/1967
Minutes
Box 2 9 September 1914-6 April 1921 (5 ledgers)
Box 3 13 September 1922-9 May 1928
Box 3 12 September 1929-9 January 1934
Box 3 20 February 1935-8 May 1939
Box 4 22 May 1940-6 May 1948
Box 4 23 September 1948-29 November 1956
Box 4 13 December 1956-28 May 1959
Box 4 17 September 1959-22 June 1961
Box 4 18 April 1962-26 May 1966
Box 2 Photographs, ca. 1928
Mapleton Woman’s Club [series]:
Box 2 Annuals and Correspondence, 1983, 1984-1985, 1989
Box 2 Camp Roy-El newsletters, 1985, 1989
Box 2 Financial Records, February 1962-June 1989
Box 2 Minutes, January 1950-17 April 1980
Bowers Harbor Senior Woman’s Club [series]:
Box 5 Scrapbook, 1927-1976
Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club [series]:
Minutes
Box 6 February 1949-May 1953 (includes original Constitution/By-laws)
Box 6 September 1954-February 1962
Box 6 April 1962-December 1972
Box 6 January 1973-December 2001
Box 6 February 2002-May 2013
Box 6 September 2013-May 2015
Box 6 September 2015-May 2017
Box 6 September 2017-March 2020
Box 6 September 2021 - November 2024
Scrapbook
Box 6 1949-1999
Traverse City Business Men’s Association [series]:
Box 2 Delinquent Debtor’s Reports, 1904-1908
PENINSULA COMMUNITY LIBRARY
2699 Island View Road Traverse City, MI 49686
Creators: Archie Senior and Junior Woman’s Clubs; Bowers Harbor Senior Woman’s Club; Mapleton Woman’s Club; Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs; Anna Cochlin Circle, Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club, Traverse City Business Men’s Association
Title: Peninsula Men’s and Women’s Clubs records
Inclusive dates: 1904-2024
Bulk dates: 1950-2012
Extent: 3 linear feet
Call number: LHC 004 Pcl
Language: Material is in English
Acquisition: Anonymous donations.
Accruals: Periodic additions to the collection are not expected.
Access: The collection is open without restriction.
Photographs: Box 2, Box 5, Box 6
A-V Material: None.
Digital Material: None.
Copyright: Copyright is held by the Peninsula Community Library.
Processed By: Amy Barritt, 2013, Mary Morgan 2020, 2025
Abstract
Records of the Woman’s Clubs of Peninsula Township, in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, documenting the history of Woman’s Clubs from the various towns located on Old Mission Peninsula. Clubs frequently engaged in social and intellectual pursuits, as well as supported social welfare in their communities. The Traverse City Business Men’s Association records are minimal. The series in the collection are: Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs, Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid, Archie Junior Woman’s Club, Archie Senior Woman’s Club, Mapleton Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Woman’s Club, Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club, Traverse City Business Men’s Association.
History
The Woman’s Clubs of Peninsula Township adopted their names from the village or school district that the members lived in. Each club was an individual organization, each unique in its membership and operations. According to the records of the Peninsula Federated Women’s Club, the following organizations were at one time operating on the Peninsula: Archie Senior Woman’s Club, Archie Junior Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Senior Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Junior Woman’s Club, Maple Grove Senior Friendship Club, Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club, Old Mission Woman’s Club, and Mapleton Woman’s Club.
The Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid (or the Anna Cochlin Division of the Congregational Ladies Aid Society) of Old Mission Congregational Church, was a group comprised entirely of women and served a similar social function as the Woman’s Clubs.
The Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs (or the Peninsula Federated Women’s Club) met biannually, once in the spring and once in the fall. Each club would in turn host the biannual meeting. The program usually consisted of a potluck lunch, a music or poetry performance, a speaker, and a business meeting. Frequently, the business meeting resulted in a joint project to be undertaken by the members of all the individual Clubs. Improving the Old Mission School landscaping was a frequent project for the Federation. On May 5, 1970, the Federation discontinued, citing a lack of interest and small attendance.
The Archie Woman’s Club was organized in September 1914, and county federated in November 1915. It was still operating in 1948-1949.
The Archie Junior Woman’s Club was organized in February 1940, and discontinued in 1998.
The Mapleton Woman’s Club was founded on 10 January 1950, although the name was not approved until the 18 January 1950 meeting. A vote by the membership on 18 May 1989 discontinued the Club; their final luncheon was held on 7 June 1989.
The Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club was founded in February, 1949 and is still in existence as of 1/28/2025. According to the club constitution, club membership is open to those who live in the Maple Grove and Mapleton School districts. The club holds meetings during the months of September through May. The object of the club is to help others and have social enjoyment. (NOTE: a disruption in the minutes in 2020/2021 is attributable to the COVID pandemic, when the women did not meet)
Scope and Content Note
The Woman’s Clubs of Old Mission Peninsula Township records contains the records that have been donated to the Peninsula Community Library over a period of several decades, typically after the Club had disbanded and the records were no longer of primary use to their creators. Meeting minutes, financial records, scrapbooks, annuals and correspondence are the primary records retained and donated by these Clubs. The series are organized by the creators: Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs, Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid, Archie Junior Woman’s Club, Archie Senior Woman’s Club, Mapleton Woman’s Club, Bowers Harbor Woman’s Club.
While not a part of the Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs, the Anna Cochlin Circle of the Ladies Aid was a group comprised entirely of women and served a similar social function as the Woman’s Clubs. Their association with a church distinguishes this group from other Woman’s Clubs in the area, but their records are included with the collection because of the similarity in membership and mission between these organizations.
The Mapleton Woman’s Club series contains the minutes for the entire length of years that the Club operated. In addition, correspondence indicates the Club’s interest in assisting the operations of Camp Roy-El. The Camp was founded by camp directors Roy and Ellen Brigman in 1952, in response to the polio epidemic. Although the Club was not directly involved with the operations of the Camp, the Club frequently contributed to the Club from the Sunshine Funds, which was a collection of funds from the membership that was designated to be gifted to institutions that improved the lives of individuals within the communities of Old Mission. In response to the donations, the Camp directors sent the Club quarterly updates concerning the Camp’s operations and a summary of each week of Camp during the summer months. The Club’s final financial gift was given to Camp Roy-El, before discontinuing in May 1989.
Traverse City Business Men’s Association includes the delinquent debtor’s reports of the organization from 1904-1908. These were found in a donated copy of a Grand Traverse County atlas, and Library Staff do not believe the donation was intentional. Therefore, the record is highly incomplete.
Container No. Description
Peninsula Federation of Woman’s Clubs [series]:
Box 1 Minutes, 2 October 1947-5 May 1970
Financial Records
Box 1 1958-1967
Box 1 20 July 1959-7 July 1970
Anna Cochlin Circle [series]:
Box 1 Minutes, 23 January 1935-November 1941
Archie Junior Woman’s Club [series]:
Box 1 Annuals, 1984 and undated
Box 1 Constitution, 6 February 1940 (with amendments, 1940-1954)
Box 1 Correspondence and unused stationery, 2006
Box 1 Financial Ledger, 10 February 1940-March 1998
Box 1 Financial Records,1963-1998
Archie Senior Woman’s Club [series]:
Annuals
Box 2 1921/1922, 1927/1928-1939/1940
Box 2 1940/1941-1948/1949
Box 2 1953/1954, 1961/1962, 1964/1965-1966/1967
Minutes
Box 2 9 September 1914-6 April 1921 (5 ledgers)
Box 3 13 September 1922-9 May 1928
Box 3 12 September 1929-9 January 1934
Box 3 20 February 1935-8 May 1939
Box 4 22 May 1940-6 May 1948
Box 4 23 September 1948-29 November 1956
Box 4 13 December 1956-28 May 1959
Box 4 17 September 1959-22 June 1961
Box 4 18 April 1962-26 May 1966
Box 2 Photographs, ca. 1928
Mapleton Woman’s Club [series]:
Box 2 Annuals and Correspondence, 1983, 1984-1985, 1989
Box 2 Camp Roy-El newsletters, 1985, 1989
Box 2 Financial Records, February 1962-June 1989
Box 2 Minutes, January 1950-17 April 1980
Bowers Harbor Senior Woman’s Club [series]:
Box 5 Scrapbook, 1927-1976
Maple Grove Junior Friendship Club [series]:
Minutes
Box 6 February 1949-May 1953 (includes original Constitution/By-laws)
Box 6 September 1954-February 1962
Box 6 April 1962-December 1972
Box 6 January 1973-December 2001
Box 6 February 2002-May 2013
Box 6 September 2013-May 2015
Box 6 September 2015-May 2017
Box 6 September 2017-March 2020
Box 6 September 2021 - November 2024
Scrapbook
Box 6 1949-1999
Traverse City Business Men’s Association [series]:
Box 2 Delinquent Debtor’s Reports, 1904-1908
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