The University of Iowa Libraries

Access: The records are open for research.

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

Acquisition: The records (donor no. 176) were donated by the Daughters of Ceres in 1993.

Preferred Citation: Daughters of Ceres 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

The Daughters of Ceres records measure 5 linear inches and date from 1898 to 1988. They are arranged in three series: Walnut Chapter, Webster Chapter and Miscellaneous. The records document the activities and concerns of this social and charitable club from the turn of the century to the 1970s. Moreover, they illuminate the social and emotional bonds that tied this group of women together throughout the years.

The Walnut Chapter records (1898-1923) consist of an annual program of activities for 1922 to 1923 and two secretary's books (minutes) for 1898 to 1921, with some overlap. The 1898-1921 book contains accounts of dues paid and other club expenses for 1898 to 1914.

The Webster Chapter records (1920-1988) are much more extensive, including four constitutions from different time periods, an almost complete set of secretary's books spanning the years 1920 to 1973, and a ninetieth anniversary memory book with a history of the Webster Chapter and personal reminiscences of members and their families.

The Miscellaneous series (1971, 1978-1979) includes a reprint from the Annals of Iowa about the history of the Martin Flynn Farm from 1845 to 1970. In addition, there is a Polk County Federation of Women's Clubs handbook for 1978 to 1979. The Daughters of Ceres was a member of the Federation and some Daughters served as president over the years.

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.

Personal Names:
Flynn, Martin

Corporate Names:
Daughters of Ceres, Walnut Chapter
Daughters of Ceres, Webster Chapter
Living History Farms (Museum)

Dates:
1890-1899
20th century
1970-1979

Topics:
Clubs
Rural women
Women in agriculture
Women in charitable work

Occupations:
Homemakers
Farmers

Geographic Names:
Walnut (Iowa)
Webster (Iowa)
Des Moines (Iowa)

Genre/Form of Materials:
Archives
Administrative records

Browse:
Nineteenth Century Women
Rural and Farm Women
Women's Clubs and Organizations