University Wives records

Collection

Identifier: 04.UW

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The University Wives records includes materials produced by the Faculty Dames/Faculty Wives/University Wives society at Eastern Michigan University. The date range of the materials is approximately 1916 to 1998, with the bulk of the material being dated 1916 to 1990.

The University Wives records have been divided into five record series: Administration and history, Membership, Programs, Publicity and Outreach, Creative Cookery. The Administration and history series includes materials pertaining to the founding and operations of the society, particularly meeting minutes, officers' reports, and financial materials. The Membership series includes rosters of members, obituaries of former members, and membership directories. The Programs series includes materials related to the programming and activities of the society, such as their Antique Interest sub-group, the Creative Cookery project, and the society's silver service. The Publicity and Outreach series includes materials produced and distributed by the society, including photographs, clippings, scrapbooks, and pamphlets. A comprehensive collection of the Creative Cooking Club materials was added to the collection in 2021.

Dates

Creation: 1916 - 2011

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Administrative history

The University Wives, also known as the Faculty Dames, was established at Michigan State Normal College in 1916. Membership was open to any spouses of University faculty, and their activities included the organization of campus-wide events to support faculty and staff, particularly new faculty members and their families. In 1959, following the College name change to Eastern Michigan University, the Faculty Dames voted to change their society name Eastern Michigan Faculty Wives. In 1965 the society's constitution was changed to include spouses of professional staff as well as of faculty, and the name was changed to University Wives. At a meeting on March 4, 2001, members of "Eastern Michigan Wives and Associates (formerly EMU Faculty Wives) voted to become part of the Eastern Michigan university Women's Association."

Extent

7.6 Linear Feet (4 record center cartons, 4 archive boxes, 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The University Wives, also known as the Faculty Dames/Faculty Wives, was established at Michigan State Normal College in 1916. Membership was open to any spouses of University faculty, and their activities included the organization of campus-wide events to support faculty and staff, particularly new faculty members and their families. Eventually membership was expanded to include spouses of professional staff as well as faculty.

The University Wives records includes materials produced by the Faculty Dames/Faculty Wives/University Wives society at Eastern Michigan University. The date range of the materials is approximately 1916 to 1998, with the bulk of the material being dated 1916 to 1990.

Arrangement of Materials

The University Wives records have been divided into four series: Administration and history, Membership, Programs, and Publicity and Outreach. The Administration and history series includes materials pertaining to the founding and operations of the society, particularly meeting minutes, officers' reports, and financial materials. The Membership series includes rosters of members, obituaries of former members, and membership directories. The Programs series includes materials related to the programming and activities of the society, such as their Antique Interest sub-group, the Creative Cookery project, and the society's silver service. The Publicity and Outreach series includes materials produced and distributed by the society, including photographs, clippings, scrapbooks, and pamphlets.