Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Ingles and Pocahontas Literary Societies Records, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Ingles and Pocahontas Literary Societies Records , Accession # RU 4.2.1, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Accruals

Additional accruals are not expected.

Processing Information

Processed October 2011 by Gene Hyde.

Biographical Information

The Ingles and Pocahonatas Literary Societies were founded in 1913 as the first extracirricular activities on what is now the Radford University campus. The societies were named to honor outstanding women. The Pocahontas Literary Society,often referred to as Pocas, was named in honor of the daughter of Virginia Indian Chief Powahatan. The Ingles Society was named in honor of Mary Draper Ingles, who was captured by Indians and later made her way back to her home.

Literary societies were often the forerunners of fraternities and sororities. Activity of such societies could include formal debates on issues of the day such as religion or politics. Activities could also include orginial essays, poems or music being presented. In addition, such societies could have a hand in intamural sports and social gatherings. Usually two literary societies existed on each college campus and would compete for members and acknowledgement. Literary Societies began to decline as Greek chapter and organizations of the modern day fraternities and sororities began to be established.

Scope and Content

The Ingles and Pocahontas Literary Societies Records contain official documents from both societies, as well as various handwritten entries, letters, invitations, meeting minutes, envelopes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, literary works, and event programs. These materials are held within two ledgers. The Ingles Literary Society ledger contains handwritten entries plus many items that were glued or pasted in the pages, similar to a scrapbook. The Pocahontas Literary Society ledger holds meeting minutes, dues and a list of member names. These ledgers span the years 1920-1931.

Arrangement

Box 1. Ingles Literary Society Ledger

Box 2.Pocahontas Literary Society Ledger