Mothers of World War Veterans records, 1917-1958

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Mothers of World War Veterans
Title
Mothers of World War Veterans records
Dates
1917-1958 (inclusive)
Quantity
.5 linear feet
Collection Number
XOE_CPNWS0287MothersClub (collection)
Summary
The Mothers of World War Veterans records contain meeting minutes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, etc. documenting the activities of a women's club in Bellingham, Washington from 1917 through 1958.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Founded November 10, 1917 in Bellingham Washington as an auxiliary to the National League for Woman's Service, the club was first called the Mothers Club of Men in Service. Objectives were to maintain true allegiance to the government of the United States, to inculcate lessons in patriotism and love of country among children and in the community and encourage the spread of universal liberty and equal rights for all. (Source: Bellingham Herald, "World War I Mothers' Club members dwindle," 1971 May 30.)

Through the years the club had a number of names, including Mother of Men in Service (1917-1919), American Mothers of World War Veterans (1919-1920), Mothers of World War Veterans (1920-post WWII?), Mothers Club of the World War Veterans No. 1 and Mothers of World War Veterans (1956-1958).

The club initiated the foundation of Bellingham’s Memorial Park, and also raised money to donate the trees and plaques commemorating soldiers lost in World War I. During World War II members of the group were active volunteers with the Red Cross. The club continued to meet weekly even in times of peace because of the close friendships that they held. Members would sometimes even meeting in the homes of women who could not venture outside. The Mothers of World War Veterans disbanded in 1958.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Mothers of World War Veterans records cover the years 1917 through 1958. The records include a members list and history, meeting minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings. The members list not only contains names of the charter members and others, and also lists all club presidents. Minutes include articles of formation, lists of mothers and their sons, and the constitution and bylaws of the group. They also contain newspaper clippings, letters and other materials describing the creation of and planting of trees in Memorial Park in Bellingham, Washington, as well as members' volunteer involvement during World War II. Later minutes describe the decline of the club. Correspondence includes two thank-you letters and three 25th anniversary cards. The collection contains two newspaper clippings: one discussing the Bellingham Memorial Park tree plaques in 1966, and the other commemorating the last two living club members in 1971.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Mothers of World War Veterans records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

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

Acquisition Information

Donated by Christine J. Cameron of the American Legion Auxiliary League on April 30, 2008.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 Members undated
1/2 Minutes 1917-1918
1/3 Minutes 1918-1919
1/4 Minutes 1919-1925
1/5 Minutes 1925-1933
1/6 Minutes 1933-1940
1/7 Minutes 1940-1945
1/8 Minutes 1953-1958
1/9 Correspondence 1941-1943
1/10 Newspaper clippings 1966, 1971

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Women--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Societies and Clubs--History--Sources
  • World War, 1914-1918--Women--Washington (State)--Bellingham
  • World War, 1939-1945--Women--Washington (State)--Bellingham

Corporate Names

  • Mothers of World War Veterans--Archives

Geographical Names

  • Bellingham (Wash.)--History