Mother’s Day, Jarvis and Reist Collection 1930-1939

Call number: MG-145

1 box    11 folders     .25 cubic ft.

Repository: LancasterHistory (Organization); PV7

Shelving Location: Archives South, Side 4

Scope and Content Note: The collection documents the efforts of local attorney Linnaeus L. Reist to establish that Anna Jarvis was the founder of Mother’s Day. It includes correspondence, articles, Mother’s Day buttons, Mother’s Day stationery, and newspaper clippings. Also, objections to PA House Bill #830 and Resolution S. J. #115.

Creator: Reist, Linnaeus L.

Conditions for Access: No restrictions.

Conditions Governing Reproductions: Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.

Language: English

Source of Acquisition: These papers were presented to the historical society in 1991 by the family of Linnaeus Reist.

Administrative/Biographical History: Miss Anna Jarvis was born on 1 May 1864 in Webster, Taylor County, West Virginia. After the death of her father in 1902, she moved to Philadelphia with her mother and a sister. When her mother passed away on 9 May 1905, Anna vowed to fulfill her mother’s wish to have a day to honor and remember mothers. This wish became her life’s work.

Anna succeeded nationally in 1914 when both houses of the United States Congress passed resolutions establishing a Mother’s Day observance on the second Sunday in May. She dedicated her life to promoting Mother’s Day and obtaining legal recognition for this holiday around the world. Mother’s Day is still celebrated the second Sunday in May.

Due to her failing health, Anna’s friends moved her to the Marshall Square Sanitarium in West Chester, Pennsylvania.She passed away on 24 November 1948 at the age of 84 and was interred beside her mother in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.

 

Folder 1
Information written by Linn L. Reist regarding the life of Anna Jarvis and her efforts to establish Mother’s Day as a holiday.
Newspaper article, “Mother’s Day: Local History,” regarding the donation of the Jarvis–Reist papers to the Lancaster County Historical Society, Intelligencer Journal. 1991. (photocopies)

Folder 2
2 buttons with white carnation and green lettering “Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder, Philadelphia.”
Note from Linn Reist regarding receipt of buttons from Anna Jarvis.
Donor information, the Reist family to the Lancaster County Historical Society.
Paper bag which held buttons. McIntire, Magee & Brown Co., Wilkes-Barre, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.

Folder 3
1. Article, “Miss Anna Jarvis Chosen by FIDAC as Outstanding Character in West Virginia.” No date.
2, 3. “Mother’s Day and Its Founder.” Reprint of the address by Hon. John Kee of West Virginia, in the House of Representatives. Congressional Record, 73rd Congress, Second Session. 11 May 1934. Envelope with John Kee’s stamped signature. Given to Linn L. Reist by Anna Jarvis.
4, 5, 6. “Dedication of Capitol of West Virginia.” Reprint of remarks of Hon. Henry D. Hatfield of West Virginia, in the Senate. 15 July 1932.
3 envelopes with H. D. Hatfield’s stamped signature. Given to Linn L. Reist by Anna Jarvis.

Folder 4 Letter from Anna Jarvis to George A. Huggins, Esq. in Philadelphia, introducing Linn L. Reist. 8 December 1934.
Envelope, “This tells of Dad’s interest with Mother’s Day. L. Bradley”

Folder 5 Card and envelope, to Hon. Linn Reist from Anna Jarvis. 1 November 1930.
Mother’s Day greeting card from Anna Jarvis. 12 May 1935.

Folder 6 3 Newspaper Clippings
“Rosemary’s Garden.” No date.
“Founder of Mother’s Day Greets Lancaster Family.” No date.
“Miss Jarvis Guards Mother’s Day Idea,” The Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia. 7 May 1932. Includes pictures of “five mothers made famous by their children.” (Lincoln, Mendelssohn, Jarvis, Washington, and Goethe)

Folder 7
1. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis. Mother’s Day, Inc. letterhead. 16 June 1932.
2a,b. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis, regarding the dedication of a new building in West Virginia. On letterhead. 1 September 1932. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist, Lancaster. 2 September 1932.
3. Letter from the Boy Scout’s Association, Australia, to Miss Anna Jarvis. 13 May 1934.
4. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis regarding a report and Lippincott account books. On letterhead. 13 June 1934.
5. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis. On letterhead. 3 July 1934.
6. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis. On letterhead. 10 July 1934.
7. Letter to Hon. Linn L. Reist from Anna Jarvis, offering to be of assistance. On letterhead. 22 November 1934.
8. Letter to Miss Anna Jarvis regarding the many things being done to further her effort as founder of Mother’s Day. 6 December 1934.
9a,b. Letter to Mr. Reist regarding the Army—Navy game and how people spend their money on gambling and booze instead of the church. No date. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn Reist, Lancaster. No date.

Folder 8
1. Letter to Mrs. Reist from Anna Jarvis regarding the Convention at Harrisburg on January 21. 19 January 1935.
2. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis regarding a bill by Rep. Caputo to make Mother’s Day a holiday. On letterhead. 27 March 1935.
3. Anna Jarvis’ argument for keeping the second Sunday in May as Mothers’ Day, in opposition to PA House Bill #830, Session 1935 which declared August 15 the legal holiday. Enclosed with the 13 April 1935 letter.
4. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis. Sent with Anna Jarvis’ argument against House Bill #830. On letterhead. 13 April 1935.
5. Letter to Anna Jarvis from Mr. Reist. 8 April 1935.
6. Letter to Anna Jarvis from Mr. Linn Reist. 25 April 1935.
7. Letter to Anna Jarvis from Mr. Linn Reist regarding a Congressional Resolution for Mother’s Day and Jarvis’ efforts through President Roosevelt. 8 May 1936.
8. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis regarding how the Mother’s Day Resolution was being handled in Washington. On letterhead. 11 May 1935.
9a,b. Letter to Mr. Reist from Anna Jarvis. On letterhead. 12 May 1936. Envelope with Mother’s Day seal. 15 May 1936.
10. Letter to the Reists from Anna Jarvis. On letterhead. 6 May 1938.
11a,b. Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Reist from Anna Jarvis. 17 May 1939. Envelope. 19 May 1939.

Folder 9
1. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist, Department Revenue, Harrisburg. 5 November 1930.
2. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist, Lancaster. Mother’s Day seal and return address stamped in red. 17 June 1932.
3. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist, Lancaster. 3 July 1934.
4. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist. Return address Miss Jarvis, 2031 N. 12. 10 July 1934.
5. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn Reist. Mother’s Day seal in lower left corner, blue and white.
6. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist, Lancaster. Mother’s Day seal on back of envelope, blue and white. 4 December 1934.
7. Envelope addressed to Mrs. Linn L. Reist. 18 January 1935.
8. Envelope addressed to Mrs. and Mr. Linn L. Reist. Mother’s Day seal on back. 11 May 1935.
9. Envelope addressed to Hon. Linn L. Reist. No date.

Folder 10 A typed list of 22 quotations regarding Mother’s Day. No date.

Folder 11 Objections to Resolution S. J. #115. No date.