Temperance Collection, 1815-1959
Call number: MG-154
1 box 11 folders .25 cubic ft.
Repository: LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)
Shelving Location: Archives South, Side 4
Description: The collection includes convention programs of the Lancaster County Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.); a history of the group from 1884-1959; Pennsylvania State W.C.T.U. function programs; and a minute book from the Bart Chapter. Included are handwritten notes on some of the conventions, pro-temperance booklets and newspapers (Moral Reformer and American Reformer), and miscellaneous addresses and articles. Of special interest is a booklet “Operation Interview” in which 36 prominent Lancastrians comment on the question, “Is social drinking necessary for success?”, and a newspaper article reminiscing on the temperance movement in Columbia, Pa.
Creator: Lancaster County Historical Society (Pa.)
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: Donor of each item is unknown unless otherwise noted.
Folder 1 Lancaster County Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Convention Programs. Gift of Mr. George L. Heiges.
1. June 1887. Mid-year W.C.T.U. Convention Program at the Strasburg Presbyterian Church. List of Officers.
2. October 1901. 18th annual W.C.T.U. Convention Program at the Little Britain Presbyterian Church. Lists of officers and superintendents.
3. June 1903. Mid-year W.C.T.U. convention program at the Presbyterian Church, Strasburg, Pa. List of officers.
4. September 1903. 12th annual W.C.T.U. convention program at the Presbyterian Church, Christiana, Pa. Lists of officers and superintendents.
5. May 1904. Mid-year W.C.T.U. convention program at the Presbyterian, Chestnut Level, Pa. List of officers.
6. May, 1906 mid-year W.C.T.U. convention program at St. Paul’s Reformed Church, Manheim, Pa. List of officers.
7. August 1910. 27th annual W.C.T.U. Convention program at the Presbyterian Church, Octorara, Pa. List of officers, superintendents, secretaries and staff.
8. August 1924. 41st annual W.C.T.U. Convention program at the Little Britain Presbyterian Church, Golden Jubilee Year. Lists of officers, superintendents, secretaries and staff.
9. September 1959. 75th annual W.C.T.U. Convention program at the Church of the Brethren, Lititz, Pa. Lists of officers, directors, secretaries, editor and publisher. Photo of Frances E. Willard on cover.
10. Booklet. “The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in Lancaster County 1884-1959.” Gives history of the organization’s activities during that period. Contains some photographs of past presidents, groups and parade. Mr. George L. Heiges is credited for “his interest and helpfulness in compiling and writing this history of the Lancaster County Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.”
11. Pageant program “75 Years on the Highway to Abstinence.” Contains words to the “Anniversary Song” and a list of pageant characters and episodes.
Folder 2
1. “Report of the Pennsylvania State Temperance Union, 1870.” In three parts; history of the reform, the license system, proceedings and work of the union. (copy one of two) Gift of the Dauphin County Historical Society.
2. Insert contains copy two of 1870 report.
3. Proceedings of the thirteenth annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Temperance Union. Held in Williamsport, Pa., 29-30 January 1880. Gift of Chester County Historical Society, 7 October 1955.
4. Program (keystone shape) of the “Senior L.T.L. Banquet” held in Philadelphia in 1904. “Banquet to the National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union given by the Pennsylvania Senior Loyal Temperance Union. Contains menu, toasts and music program.
5. Night program of the state convention held in Washington, Pa., 7 October 1905. Includes photos of Cora E. Seberry, A. Elizabeth Thomas and Frances E. Willard.
6. Complete program of the 31st Annual Convention of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Pennsylvania, October 5-10, 1905 in Washington, Pa. Contains the program, lists of officers, committee chairman and secretaries.
7. Booklet titled “Official Programs, World’s Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.” Philadelphia conventions November 11-22, 1922. Contains complete programs of both conventions and a photograph of Rosalind, Countess of Carlisle.
Folder 3 A handwritten “Report of State W.C.T.U. held at Washington, Pa.” Consists of informal notes on the convention, trip thereto, and personal activities of the writer.
Folder 4 Handwritten notes and report on Washington Co., Pa. convention.
Folder 5
Insert 1 “An essay on the evils of using arden spirits.” An abridgment of a Connecticut pamphlet here “published by request of the committee appointed to alleviate the sufferings of the poor in the Borough of Columbia, Pa.” 25 March 1815.
Insert 2 A booklet, “Common Sense; or the Folly of the Prohibitory Liquor Law Displayed,” by George Brubaker, Esq., 1863.
1. A booklet, “Operation Interview.” Contains short interviews with 36 “Well-known Lancaster leader(s) in business or the professions” as recorded by High School Students, listed by name and school, in answer to the question “Is social drinking necessary for success?”
Folder 6 The 12 September 1844 issue of the Moral Reformer. Printed and published by J. M. Willis Geist in Lancaster, Pa. and “devoted mainly to the cause of temperance and morality.”
Folder 7 The 25 July 1846 issue of The American Reformer and Pennsylvania State Temperance Organ, of Harrisburg, Pa. Motto “Love, Purity and Fidelity.” Editors were J. M. W. Geist and V. J. Jones.
Folder 8 The 19 September 1846 issue of The American Reformer and Pennsylvania State Temperance Organ, of Harrisburg, Pa. Motto “Love, Purity and Fidelity.” Editor J. M. Willis Geist.
Folder 9 The 19 March 1966 copy of the Strasburg Weekly News. The front page has an article “History of Strasburg’s Temperance Hall.”
Folder 10
Insert 1 Newspaper article (2 copies) “Prohibition Movement Reached Lancaster in 1808.” Has photographs of Temperance Hall.
Insert 2 1. An article written by the “Bart Society” for publication in the Moral Reformer.
2. Copy of a personal advertisement from the Moral Reformer titled “Stray Cows” dated 15 August 1844.
Insert 3 1. Notice advertising lecture by Frances E. Willard, President of the National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, at the Lancaster Court House, 4 December 1884.
2. Supplement to newspaper Our Message, printed September 1919 in Lititz, Pa. Contains a “compilation of material for programs for Frances E. Willard Day,” includes biography, poems, songs, etc.
Insert 4 A handwritten address delivered before the Eastland Female Temperance Society by E. W. Harlan.
Insert 5 1. A copy of a newspaper article about Letitia Brosius, poet and Mother of Statesman. 30 June 1929.
2. A copy of a newspaper article about Mrs. Benjamin F. Eckman, Author of W.C.T.U. pageant. 3 September 1959.
Insert 6 1. A reprint titled “Benjamin Franklin’s Experience,” from his autobiography, on his experience with beer drinking by his fellow employees. Reverse has article “How Liquor Affects the Heart” quoting Dr. Sir Benjamin W. Richardson.
2. One page history titled “Lancaster County Temperance Society,” from the papers of A. Hunter Rineer.
3. Breakfast menu from Haddon Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sunday, 29 December 1912.
4. “Report of the condition of the National Bank of Chester Valley of Coatesville, Pa.” as of 15 September 1922. Photograph of Board Room.
5. Photocopy of daily express newspaper article 15 November 1871, titled “Reminiscences of the Temperance Movement in the Borough of Columbia.” Many names listed.
Folder 11 Minutes of the Bart Chapter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, kept by Mrs. Josephine Jackson. Contains meeting proceedings and lists of members. 1898-1911. (Volume is in poor condition.) Gift of Eleanor B. Alexander, 27 October 2006.
Insert 1 Loose items from minute book: Oath signed by Frances Aikin, Christiana, 7 August 1909; Calendar card for 1906 showing Friends’ Academy in Locust Valley, Long Island, New York; Draft of a resolution discouraging the use of funds in private schools and instead using those funds in public schools. No date; Obituary of Mrs. Josephine Jackson. No date.