Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records, 1928-1968

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Title
Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records
Dates
1928-1968 (inclusive)
1949-1968 (bulk)
Quantity
0.5 linear feet
Collection Number
XOE_CPNWS0059WCTU (collection)
Summary
The Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperenace Union records document the activities and ideals of this organization. As a chapter of an important national organization, the WCTU actively promoted complete abstinence from alcohol through education, outreach, and activism. Of primary interest are the detailed meeting minutes and financial records.
Repository
Western Washington University, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Goltz-Murray Archives Building
808 25th St.
Bellingham, WA
98225
Telephone: (360) 650-7534
cpnws@wwu.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the Washington State Legislature to the Washington Women's History Consortium. Funding for encoding the finding aid was awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Whatcom county chapters of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union date back to 1883. At various times since then, there have been simultaneous chapters in Sehome, Fairhaven, Lynden, Sumas, Bellingham, and possibly elsewhere. The consolidated Whatcom County chapter is documented in this collection from 1932 (right before the repeal of prohibition) to 1958. During this period the chapter organized resistance to the sale and use of alcohol (and, to a lesser extent, tobacco) through protest and education. The chapter also promoted other Christian causes, such as their effort to have the Lord’s prayer recited in public schools.

As a national organization, the WCTU was formed in 1874 to spread the message of complete abstinence from alcohol. Their web site, www.wctu.org (2006) claims that they are the oldest continuing non-sectarian women’s organization in the world.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Whatcom Christian Temperance Union records document the organization’s activities and philosophy from 1932 to 1958. A full and detailed volume of meeting minutes is the most valuable document to researchers, since it describes the WCTU’s ceremonies, positions, goals, and procedures. Other materials include financial records (mostly treasurer’s reports), event programs, by-laws and position recommendations, and a small amount of correspondence and clippings.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is organized in accordance with the following series arrangement:

  • Series I. WCTU Administrative Records, 1932 – 1958
  • Series II. WCTU Financial Records, 1904 – 1965
  • Series III. WCTU Activities and Events, 1945 – 1960

Acquisition Information

In October 1997 the Whatcom Christian Temperance Union records were donated by Estella Gelder.

Processing Note

Victor Burgett processed the Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records in July, 2006

The Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union Records records were part of a larger donation, but were processed as a seperate record group. The other records now comprise the Progressive Literary and Fraternal Club records, also available at the Center For Pacific Northwest Studies

Processing Note

About Harmful Language and Content

To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see the following Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  WCTU Administrative Records,  1932-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Articles of Incorporation (Revised)
1956
1/2
Resolutions and By-Laws
1946-1958
1/3
Meeting Minutes
1932-1958
1/4
Correspondence
1957
1/5
Newspaper Clippings
1945-1958

Series II:  WCTU Financial Records,  1945-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/6
WCTU Treasurer's Reports
1945-1958

Series III:  WCTU Activities and Events,  1938-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/7
WCTU Event Programs
1938-1958

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Popular culture --Moral and ethical aspects --Washington (State) --Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Temperance --Societies, etc.--Washington (State) --Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Women in community organization--Washington (State)--Whatcom County--History--Sources
  • Women in public life --Washington (State) --Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Women--Societies and clubs--Washington (State)--Whatcom County --History--Sources

Corporate Names

  • Whatcom County Woman's Christian Temperance Union
  • Woman's Christian Temperance Union

Geographical Names

  • Whatcom County (Wash.) --Moral conditions --History--Sources.