© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2008 University of Chicago Library
Preservation of this collection was supported with a generous gift from the University of Chicago Service League.
Series I contains an audiocassette tape that is restricted due to reformatting and equipment requirements.
The remainder of the collection is open for research, with no restrictions.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Friends in Council. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
The Friends in Council of Chicago was a women's association, founded in 1875 and based in Hyde Park. Taking its title from a book by Sir Arthur Helps, its members were dedicated to the study of literature. Each year its members laid out a program of reading and study. For each meeting one member would host at her house, while another would present a paper she had written on the topic for that day, which would then be discussed by the other members. Originally comprised of members from across the Chicago area, the Friends came to include primarily of the wives of prominent Hyde Park residents and faculty members of the University of Chicago.
This collection contains three series, all arranged alphabetically. Series I, Administrative Materials, includes meeting minutes from 1875-2002; constitutions and by-laws; and reports from the secretary and treasurer. Series II, Membership Information and Activities, contains membership lists, membership biographies, correspondence, and a selection of the papers presented by members during their meetings. This series also includes the annual programs of the club, listing membership and paper topics for each year. Series III, History and Memorabilia, contains newspaper clippings, samples of announcements and luncheon placement cards, as well as information relating to other Friends in Council groups and national women’s organizations. Box 14 contains oversized materials from Series III, including a photographic scrapbook, newspaper clippings and a certificate of incorporation.