US-RUn-msg112 Guide to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union Collection 1922-1977 Finding aid prepared by Ruthann Gildea. University of Rhode Island Library 2009 July 21
University Library, Special Collections and Archives 15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011Tel: 401-874-4632E-mail: archives@etal.uri.eduWebsite: http://www.uri.edu/library/special_collections/
 Finding aid encoded by Hailie D. Posey 2009 July 21 English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) English Special Collections and University Archives
15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu
 Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Rhode Island. Woman's Christian Temperance Union Collection 1922-1977 2.25 linear feet 3 box(es) This collection contains the papers of Edna Maine Spooner (1891-1981) that relate to her participation in the local, state, and national chapters of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mss. Gr. 112 Historical note

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) is described as the "oldest voluntary non-sectarian woman's organization in continuous existence" on the W.C.T.U. website.

The women of Fredonia, NY were the first local group to use the name "Woman's Christian Temperance Union" in 1873. The National W.C.T.U. was founded in Cleveland Ohio in 1874. Local Chapters are called "unions" and function autonomously but are linked to state unions and national headquarters. For further information, see Subject Files, folder 4, N.W.C.T.U. -- Organizational Structure. The W.C.T.U. advocates abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and other substances.

Open for research.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.

Preferred Citation

Woman's Christian Temperance Union Collection, Mss. Gr. 112, University of Rhode Island Library.

 Scope and Content Note

Edna Maine Spooner (1891-1981) was a resident of Cranston, RI and an active member of her local, state and national W.C.T.U. This collection is that portion of her papers pertinent to her involvement with the W.C.T.U.

This collection is divided into two series:

Subject Files, which consists of printed materials, assorted propaganda, pamphlets, leaflets, and broadsides arranged alphabetically by subject. These printed materials were published by either the W.C.T.U. Press or the Signal Press or unidentified publishers.

The Outlook, 1922-1973, consists of scattered issues of The Outlook, the official publication of the W.C.T.U. of Rhode Island.

This collection was donated in 1996 by Mrs. Spooner's daughter and son-in-law, Lucille and Fred Votta. A significant portion of Mrs. Spooner's papers relating to the W.C.T.U. were donated to Brown University. A copy of the finding aid prepared by Brown University describing the records donated in 1997 is included with this collection. Records of the W.C.T.U. of Rhode Island as well as some local Rhode Island unions are located at the Rhode Island Historical Society.

 Arrangement

This series is arranged into two series: 1. Subject Files 2. Outlook

Acquisitions Information

This collection was donated in 1996 by Mrs. Spooner's daughter and son-in-law, Lucille and Fred Votta.

Names Spooner, Edna Maine. Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Rhode Island. Subjects Spooner, Edna Maine -- Archives. Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Rhode Island. Temperance -- Rhode Island -- Societies, etc. RIAMCO Browsing Terms Race, Ethnicity and Gender Titles Outlook. Inventory Series 1 1-2 1-17 Subject Files1926-1977

The papers of Edna Maine Spooner relating to her membership in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) are arranged alphabetically by subject. They include convention programs, administrative programs and directives, and propaganda.

Among the subjects included are the Loyal Temperance Union (L.T.L.), the National Woman's Temperance Union (N.W.C.T.U.), and the Youth Temperance Council (Y.T.C.).

 1 1 1945, undated Loyal Temperance Union (L.T.L.) and Youth Temperance Council (Y.T.C.) -- Pamphlets 1 2 1928-1929, undated Prohibition Pamphlets 1 3 1945-1948, 1950-1951, undated L.T.L. and Y.T.C. -- Printed Materials 1 4 undated National Women's Christian Temperance Union - Organizational Structure 1 5 1927-1929, 1937-1951, undated N.W.C.T.U. -- Plans of Work + Programs 1 6 undated N.W.C.T.U. -- Printed Materials 1 7 undated N.W.C.T.U. -- Printed Materials 1 8 1926-1928, 1946, 1950, undated N.W.C.T.U. -- Printed Materials 1 9 undated Norris, Kathleen 1 10 undated Prohibition -- Ballot 1 11 1926-1943, undated Prohibition -- Printed materials 1 12 undated Songbooks and Lyrics 2 13 undated White Ribbon Recruits 2 14 undated Willard, Frances 2 15 1928-1977 W.C.T.U. of Rhode Island -- Conventions 2 16 1926-1973 W.C.T.U. of RI -- Printed Materials 2 17 undated Young People's Branch Series 2 2-3 1-8 Outlook1922-1973

This series contains scattered issues of The Outlook, the official publication of the W.C.T.U. of Rhode Island, from 1922 to 1973. It is arranged arranged chronologically. The December issues, number 10, for the years 1924 through 1930 are smaller pamphlets. They are in folders separate from the oversized publication. Some issues are torn.

2 1 1924-1925 The Outlook 2 2 1926-1927 The Outlook 2 3 1929-1930 The Outlook 2 4 1940-1944 The Outlook 2 5 1945-1947 The Outlook 2 6 1948-1951 The Outlook 2 7 1952-1977 The Outlook 3 Oversize 8 1922-1938 The Outlook