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A Guide to the Records at the Indiana University Archives

Finding aid prepared by Lindsay Kenderes

Summary Information

Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives

Creator
Hesperian Society (Indiana University)

Title
Indiana University Hesperian Society records,1870-1878

Collection No.
C495

Extent
0.1 cubic foot

Language
Materials are in English

Abstract
The Hesperian Society was established by women at Indiana University on October 28, 1870. The goal of the literary society was to provide an organization dedicated to creating social and cultural activities for IU women students. The Collection consists of one record book consisting of by-laws, constitutions and meeting minutes along with their debate topics and administrative planning for events. The collection also includes documentation on the society's exhibit programs and anniversary celebrations.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.

Administrative History

The Hesperian Society was founded at Indiana University on October 28, 1870. When IU’s first co-ed, Sarah Parke Morrison, entered in 1867, she found the existing literary societies dominated by men who would not grant her membership. The campus female population quickly grew and the Hesperian Society was established with the purpose of creating cultural and social activities for IU women students. The first president of the society was Clara McFord and the secretary was Helen Alford. The society held weekly meetings in Hesperian Hall and held debates on current and past issues. They also hosted exhibits and programs, which included musical performers, oratory essays and poetry readings, and held annual anniversary celebrations on October 28 to celebrate the existence of the Society. In 1890, literary societies at Indiana University began to diminish due to a change in societal and student priorities and interests; it was around this same time the Hesperian Society is suspected to have ended.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in chronological order.

Scope and Content Note

This small collection consists of the records of the Hesperian Society arranged chronologically. Included in the collection are the group's minutes, constitution and by-laws, and anniversary programs. Select topics discussed and recorded in the meeting minutes include debates on current and historical topics such as capital punishment, the execution of Mary Queen of Scotts, and whether the location of a college is better suited for the city or country. Meeting minutes also include administrative planning for anniversary and program events.

• Indexing Terms

• The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the catalog using these terms.

• • Names
  • Hesperian Society (Indiana University) --Records and correspondence.
  • Hesperian Society (Indiana University) --History --Sources.
  • Indiana University --Students --Intellectual life.
  • Indiana University --Students --Social life and customs.
• • Topics
  • Literature --Societies, etc. --History --19th century --Sources.
  • Debates and debating --Indiana --Bloomington --History --19th century --Sources.

Related Material

To view related literary societies visit the following links:
Indiana University Athenian Society records, 1830-1886, bulk 1840-1865
Indiana University Philomathean Society records, 1836-1891

Related photographs may be available in the University Archives Photographs Database:
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/archivesphotos/

Administrative Information

Item List

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