The University of Iowa Libraries

Lowell Club was formed in Boone, Iowa, in 1887 as The Reading Circle, changing its name to The Lowell Chautauqua Circle in 1891. In 1895 it assumed its present name, Lowell Club. The Lowell Club was a charter member of the Iowa State Federation of Women's Clubs and sent delegates to the first state convention, which was held in 1892 in Marshalltown.

Originally both men and women had gathered in the evenings to discuss articles that were of current interest. When the men bowed out, the women formed an afternoon reading circle in the spring of 1887. The women met weekly until the close of World War I in 1918, when for six months they met monthly, allowing more time for Red Cross and other community work. Today they meet twice a month, October through March. Most of the study of the group has been in history, literature, travel, and art.

The Lowell Club records measure 2 linear inches and consist of a centennial notebook prepared as a celebration of the Club's hundredth anniversary in 1987.  The notebook is a photocopy of the original, including newspaper clippings, photographs, magazine articles, and biographies of the club's members.  The biographies illustrate the activities of the women involved and highlight the role of women in the early years of the club to the present day.  Much of the material deals with the town of Boone, Iowa, which was founded in 1865.  In addition to the photocopies, there are color photographs of current members in period costumes taken at the anniversary celebration held in the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace in Boone.

Alternate Extent Statement: Photographs in box 1

Access: The papers are open for research.

Use: Copyright has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

Acquisition: The papers (donor no. 149) were donated by Elaine M. Anderson in 1993.

Preferred Citation: Lowell Club records, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City.

Repository:	Iowa Women's Archives
Address:	100 Main Library University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone:	319-335-5068
Curator:	Kären Mason
Email:	lib-women@uiowa.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.

Corporate Names:
Lowell Club (Boone, Iowa)

Dates:
1980-1989

Topics:
Anniversaries
Nineteenth century
Twentieth century
Social participation
Local history
Clubs

Geographic Names:
Boone (Iowa)

Genre/Form of Materials:
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Administrative records
Archives

Browse:
Women's Clubs and Organizations