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2.1.1. Philis Wheatley Literary and Social Club, 1916 - 2006

 File

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The McCottry Smith Family papers was created by Cynthia McCottry Smith. The bulk of this information was collected between 1950 and 1996 by members of the McCottry and Smith families. The arrangement of materials are organzed into 3 main series: The Families, Lowcountry Materials, and Media.

1. The McCottry, Turner, and Smith Families, 1881-2009

1.1. Family History, 1923-2002

1.2. Family Members, 1881-2009

2. Lowcountry Materials, 1888-2014 2.1. Avery Research Center and College of Charleston 2.2. Organizations, 1888-2013

2.3. Community Members, 1920-2014

3. Media, 1911-2011

3.1. Newspapers, 1942-2011

3.2. Magazines, 1957-2005

3.3. Yearbooks, 1943-1975

3.4. Avery Publications, 1925-2003

3.5. Other Publications, 1911-2009

3.6. Photographs and Scrapbooks, 1910-2008

Dates

  • Creation: 1916 - 2006

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Materials are in English.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Historical

The Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club: Fostering Civic Engagement, Intellectual Exchange and Female Solidarity.

This group was one of the earliest black women’s clubs in Charleston and was founded on December 5th, 1916 by Jeanette Keeble Cox. Mrs. Cox was the wife of Benjamin F. Cox, the first African American principal of the Avery Normal Institute. The mission of the club was “to promote interest in literary and community work and to lift others as they climb to higher heights.Members of the club were lovers of literature and stated among their goals the promotion of self-expansion by establishing a forum for discussion of literary works, and contributing to the welfare of the Charleston community.

Cynthia McCottry Smith has been considered a lifelong ambassador for this organization. The items within this collection include memorabilia, literature, meeting notes, and member lists from her time with this group.

Extent

From the Collection: 14.38 linear feet (29 Boxes) : 12 full holinger. 1 half holinger. 3 full legal boxes. 13 oversized boxes.

Repository Details

Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository

Contact:
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608