worcester fﬂstorical · worcester fﬂstorical museum 30 elm street worcester, massachusetts...

W O R C E S T E R f fl S T O R I C A LM U S E U M

30 Elm Street

Worcester, Massachusetts

A R C H I V E S

North Worcester Aid SocietyReco rds

2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4

Processed by William F. Carroll, C. A.April 2000

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Series Page B o x

Col lect ion Information 3

Historical/Biographical Notes 4

Scope and Content 5

Series Description 6

1 Administrative Records 7 1

2 L e t t e r s 8 1

3 His tor ies 9 1

4 Programs 1 0 1

5 Clippings 11 1

6 Miscel laneous 1 2 1

2

Col lect ion Informat ion

Abstract: The North Worcester Aid Society was established in 1874 by men and women in theNorth Worcester area to assist the needy. The organization provided direct aid to the needy, inlater years evolved to raising funds for professionally operated social service agencies. Theorganization reached its peak of strength in the 1940s, but by the 19S0s had lost its earlierstrength due to aging membership and few new members. The society dissolved in 1990.

Finding Aid : Finding Aid in print form is available in the Repository.

Preferred Citation : Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Provenance : Gift of David Buck, Worcester, Mass., n.d.

MARC Access : Collection is cataloged in MARC under the following subject headings (Icsh, aat,tgm, gmgcp)

North Worcester Aid Society (Worcester, Mass.)North Worcester Benevolent Society (Worcester, Mass.)Charities - Massachusetts - Worcester.Women - Societies and clubs - Massachusetts - Worcester.Clubs - Massachusetts - Worcester.Community organization - Massachusetts - Worcester.North High School (Worcester, Mass.) - Students - Yearbooks.Consti tut ions.Fliers (Printed matter)

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Historical Notes

On March 18, 1874, the North Worcester Benevolent Society was founded as an organization forwomen to aid victims of the Civil War. Soon after, men in North Worcester formed the NorthWorcester Aid Society for similar purposes. Within a few years the two organizations mergedunder the name of North Worcester Aid Society. The society women sewed clothing for needymembers of the North Worcester area, and the organization raised funds for helping the needythrough suppers, quilting parties, and fairs. The Society owned its own quarters on Holden Streetin North Worcester, where public fund-raising activities took place. The Society also organizedparties for neighborhood children at Christmas, Easter, and May Day.

During the early 1940s, the Society expanded its scope by eliminating the requirement thatmembers be residents of North Worcester. Membership expanded to around 350, with anequivalent expansion of its services. The Society provided aid to the needy, and assisted familiesin the event of fire or other disaster.

With the advent of social service organizations with professionally trained staff after World Warn, the Society shifted its focus from direct help to the needy, to fimd raising to help supportvarious social service agencies.

However by the last half of the twentieth century the Society, like many similar organizations,found that changes in society and leisure activities, coupled with increasing mobility of people,was eroding the membership base, and that the number of new members was rapidly declining.By the late 1980s the Society membership had dropped to about 50, most elderly, and many nolonger able to be active in the affairs of the Society. The remaining officers began the legal stepsnecessary, and the Society was dissolved in 1990.

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Scope and Con ten t

The collection includes administrative records, histories, program brochures, letters, andmiscellaneous items.

Administrative records include copies of the charter, constitution, and by-laws; typescript of thedeed and plot plan of the society's property on Holden Street, Worcester; Telephone Committeereport, 1983; and related documents.

Histories of the society were written in 1899 on the occasion of the 25̂ anniversary, also in 1917,1927, and 1937. Membership list (n.d.) of long-standing members lists those who joined between1900 and 1920.

Letters include a letter relating to committee vacancies and nominations, and a letter relating toclarification of the deed to the property, 1987, and other legal matters.

Fliers and brochures of programs include programs and activities for 1945/1946, special 90̂anniversary program held in 1964, lOO"* anniversary program held in 1974, and programs andactivities 1986/1987.

Clippings highlight the dedication of the society's quarters in 1887, several events and programsduring the 1950s- 1970s, and clippings relating to the dissolution of the organization in 1990 anddisposition of its property.

Miscellaneous items include Northern Lights, 1927, yearbook of North High School, Worcester,Mass., and snapshots found in the volume.

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Series Description

Series 1: Administrative Records. Includes copies of charter, constitution and by-laws,committee reports, and related records.

Series 2: Letters. Includes letter regarding renomination of oflScers, 1986, and letter fromattorney regarding restriction in deed to society's property.

Series 3: Histories. Organizational histories written between 1890s and 1930s, list of members(ca. 1940)

Series 4: Programs. Brochures and fliers of programs held on special occasions, 1940s - 1970s.

Series 5: Clippings. Newspaper clippings relating to dedication of society's quarters in 1887,special events/speakers/programs, 1950s - 1970s, and article relating to dissolution of the society,1 9 9 0 .

Series 6: Miscellaneous. Includes North High School (Worcester, Mass.) Yearbook, 1927, andsnapshots of students.

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North Worcester Aid Society Records2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4

Series 1, Administrative Records

Box # F o l d e r # Accession # Description

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 1 Charter, North Worcester Aid Society : photocopy /Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1880. 2 p.

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 2 North Worcester Aid Society constitution, n.d. 3 p.

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 3 North Worcester Aid Society By-Laws, 1971.Annotated. 5 p.

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 4 Deed from Eben Jewett to North Worcester AidSociety, 1887. Typescript copy. 2 copies.

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 5 Mortgage deed. North Worcester Aid Society toWorcester Five Cents Savings Bank, December,1928. Typescript copy. 2 copies.

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 6 Plan of land. North Worcester Aid Society, HoldenStreet, Worcester, Mass. : blueprint, 8 x 11 in. /H.L. Robinson, Engineer, Worcester, Mass., June26, 1936.

1 1 2000.F IA.04.1 .7

. 7 a

Letter, David Buck from C.C. Doe, relating to deedand plot plan, 1987.Envelope

1 1 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 1 . 8 Flier to members relating to Holden Streetcondominium project. N.d.

1 1 2000.F IA.04.1 .9 Annual report of telephone Committee, NorthWorcester Aid Society, 1983. 1 p., typescript.

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Series 2, Letters

B o x # F o l d e r # A c c e s s i o n # D e s c r i p t i o n

1 2 2000 .F IA .04 .2 .1 Members , f r om Dor i s B . Adams , Sec re ta r y,concerning renomination of present officers andcommittee members, ca. 1986. Manuscript.

1 2 2000 .F IA .04 .2 .2 Famham Gou ld ing , F i nance Cha i rman , No r thWorcester Aid Society, from Robert C. Sudmyer,Bowditch & Dewey, Counselors at law, Worcester,relating to the organization's legal status andclarification of deed provisions, July 23,1987. 2 p.

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Series 3, Histories

B o x # F o l d e r # Accession # Descr ip t ion

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1 3

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1 3

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2000.F IA.04.3 .5

Early history of North Worcester Aid Society, paperon the occasion of its 25* anniversary, ca. 1900 /A.F. Jewett. Typescript, 2 p.

History of the North Worcester Aid Society / April12, 1917. Typescript, 2 p.

North Worcester Aid Society history / March 16,1927. Typescript, 5 p.

Early history of the North Worcester Aid Society,including that of the North Worcester BenevolentSociety, with names of oflBcers 1905-1937 / ca.1937. Typescript, 2 p.

Loyal andfaithful members of long standing, listsof members joining 1902-1907, and honorarymembers 1902-1920 / n.d. (ca. 1940)

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Series 4, Programs


1 4 2000.FIA.04.4.1 OfiBcers and commit tees, programs and act iv i t ies,1945/1946 : flier / North Worcester Aid Society,1 9 4 5 .

1 4 2000.FIA.04.4.2 90*'' anniversary observance of North Worcester AidSociety : flier with program and list of officers /March 21, 1964.

1 4 2000.FIA. 04.4.3 lOO"* anniversary observance of North WorcesterAid Society ; flier with program and list of officers /March 16, 1974.

1 4 2000.FIA.04.4.4 North Worcester Aid Society, 1874-1987, our 113"'year : flier with officers, programs, etc. /1986.

1 0


Series 5, Clippings

B o x # F o l d e r # Accession # Descr ip t ion

1 5 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 5 . 1 Hall dedication. The North Worcester Aid Societyin its new quarters : clipping / Worcester, Mass.,s.n., March 17, 1887. Aqp. 3 copies

1 5 2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 5 . 2

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2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 5 . 3

2 0 0 0 . F I A . 0 4 . 5 . 4

2000.F IA.04.5 .5

2000 .F IA .04 .5 .6

Cutting Aid Society birthday cake : clipping /Worcester Evening Gazette, March 20, 1957; withAid Society plans centennial fete : clipping /Worcester Telegram, March 14, 1974. Aqp.

Society to honor oldest member i Worcester, Mass.,s.n., March 19, 1964. Aqp.

Holmstrom to address Aid Society i WorcesterEvening Gazette, March 18,1964; with JVbrt/iWorcester Aid Society 90 years old i WorcesterSunday Telegram, March 22, 1964. Aqp.

Aid Society to observe centennial i WorcesterEvening Gazette, March 13, 1974. Aqp.

Passing of aid society marks end of Worcester era iRobert Doolan, staff reporter, Worcester Telegram& Gazette, May 8,1990. 2 p. Aqp.

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North Worcester Aid Society Records2000.F IA .04

Series 6, Miscellaneous


1 6 2000.FIA.04.6.1a-d Snapshots of unidentified students, North HighSchool, Worcester, Mass., 1927. 4 items

1 BV 2000.FIA. 04.6.2 Northern Lights, 1927: yearbook of North HighSchool, Worcester, Mass., belonging to ElizabethCurrier Buck (whose husband donated the collectionafter her death).

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