Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Collection

754 THL

Inventory created by Archives Staff 12/1984. Last revised 02/2022.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 0.42 linear feet

DATE: 1834-1958

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Women’s Christian Temperance Union Collection contains pamphlets and articles about the dangers of alcohol, religious tracts, and other material produced to support their cause. There is also a history of the Winchester Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), information about the Frederick County, VA Temperance Convention in 1834, and news articles.
 

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: The Winchester chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was organized in October of 1884 in response to a call for total abstinence by Miss Jennie Smith at a Market Street Methodist Church revival. Miss Smith was known as the Railroad Evangelist. The union began with about 100 members and about the same number of honorary male members. By 1958, membership had grown to 152, but only 12 honorary male members. The work of the WCTU was mostly educational. By 1958, seven working departments were active in the local union: temperance and missions, Christian citizenship, literature, publicity, flower mission and relief, evangelism, and international relations for peace. The Winchester union held the state convention for the organization in 185l, 1892, and 1909.

CITE AS: Women’s Christian Temperance Union Collection, 754 THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1

“The Alcohol Problem,” By Deets Pickett, 1 item, printed

Alcoholism Pamphlets, 8 items, printed

Bible, Christians and Alcohol, 8 items, printed

“The Drunkard’s Emblem…,” by Dr. Benjamin Rush, no date, 1 item, published
[*Item includes biographical sketches of Dr. Benjamin Rush, Joseph Foster, and Bailey Shumate]

Frederick County Temperance Convention - June 7, 1834, minutes, 1 item, printed

History of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Winchester, VA, no date, 3 leaves, typescript

Minute Book—1884—Sept. 30, 1886, manuscript, unnumbered pages

Minute Book—Oct. 30, 1890-May 29, 1895, manuscript, unnumbered pages, leather bound

“Progress,” Publication of the International Reform Federation, February, April, June and November, 1953, 4 items, printed

Prohibition, 2 items, printed

States and Alcohol Problem, 7 items, printed

Virginia Church Temperance Council, Inc. Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 3, 1953, 1 item, printed

“Voice from the Grave! An Argument for the Temperance Society,” by David Meade. … Winchester, VA, printed at Republican Office, 1861, 15 pages, printed

Winchester W.C.T.U., a Brief History – 1884-1958, 1 item, typescript (copy)

OVERSIZE

MAPCASE 1, DRAWER 1

Broadsides–Temperance Meeting–Frederick County sites, May 10, 1907, 2 items, printed

PHOTOGRAPHS: Photographs and other images belonging to this collection may be accessed online through http://handley.pastperfectonline.com/