Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Thursday Book Club [Blacksburg, Virginia] Records, Ms1997-004, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Thursday Book Club [Blacksburg, Virginia] Records were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1997.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Thursday Book Club [Blacksburg, Virginia] Records commenced and was completed in November, 2023.

Biographical / Historical

The Round Dozen Book Club was founded by women residents of Blacksburg, Virginia, on January 12, 1928. The club set forth its purpose in the minutes of its first meeting: "to try to derive some benefit from the meetings through interchange of thought, and discussion of current events and books." An informal organization, the club eventually settled on a schedule of meetings held on the second Thursday of each month, with the club year running from September to May. In 1932, the club voted to change its name to the Book Club; and in 1937, to the Thursday Book Club. The club maintained a membership of eight to fourteen members; among its earliest members were Mary Apperson, Charlotte Case, Nancy Elcan, Anna Ellett, Olivia Tutwiler Hill, Betty Hofmann, Jack Hoge, Ethlyne Hoilman, Julia Sanders, Peggy Taylor, Nina Waller, and Mildred Wingard. The Thursday Book Club continued to meet as late as 1968.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains records of the Thursday Book Club (orginally the Round Dozen Book Club), organized by women residents of Blacksburg, Virginia, in 1928. The collection includes club meeting minutes from 1928 to 1943, providing brief summaries of the club's monthly meetings, including books and topics discussed and business conducted. Also in the collection are index cards (some dated between 1963 and 1968) listing the order in which books were lent among members and two newspaper clippings, including an article providing a history of the club's first 26 years.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Blacksburg (Va.)
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Montgomery County (Va.)
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Thursday Book Club [Blacksburg, Virginia] Records by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).