Northwest Davenport Liedertafel Ladies [Damen Zirkel] Records

Collection

Identifier: 2015-18

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of materials recording the activities and actions of the Northwest Davenport Liedertafel Ladies.

The collection's materials were mostly handwritten by the executive board and the membership.

Dates

Creation: 1921-2008
Creation: Majority of material found within 1950-1985

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials are available for use in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center only.

Request permission before copying materials.

Personal digital cameras and scanners are allowed in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center on a case-by-case basis. The items that a researcher may want to scan or photograph must be examined and evaluated for physical condition, copyright issues, and donor restrictions by staff.

Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted material.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Biographical / Historical

The Damen Zirkel of Northwest Davenport Liedertafel Ladies Organization was formed in September 1901 by Peter N. Jacobsen, a member of the men's Liedertafel, or singing group, which had been active since March 1885. The men's Liedertafel disbanned around the time of World War I because of anti-German sentiment. Beginning with 24 members, the group has had as many as 350. Monthly meetings were held at the Northwest Turner Hall in Davenport.

The object of the society was both social and beneficial. Dues were collected and benefit members received a $50.00 death benefit. Activities included singing, playing cards and picnics. Most of this information is from an article, "Liedertafel Means Singing" by Sharon Proctor. Published in the Quad-City Times on December 16, 1966.

Charter members named in a 1951 anniversary article include Mrs. Laura Warnken and Mrs. Maria Schreck.

Extent

3.75 Linear Feet (in 1 record center cartons; in 2 5" letter manuscript boxes; in 1 small flat archive box.)

Language of Materials

English

German

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is organized into five series, one of which has been further arranged in subseries. The contents of each series are arranged chronologically with exception to the Realia series which consists of one object. Each of the series more fully describes the contents of the collection. The series and subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Constitution & By-Laws
Organization Minutes
Membership Records
Financial Records
Sub-Series: Audit Records, Membership Dues, Donation Records, Treasurer Records
Realia