Twigs, Inc. North Montgomery County (Pa.) Chapter records


Collection MSS153

1973-1986, undated
(0.8 Linear feet ; 2 boxes)
© Historical Society of Pennsylvania1300 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
215-732-6200

Summary Information

Repository
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Creator
Twigs, Inc. North Montgomery County (Pa.) Chapter
Title
Twigs, Inc. North Montgomery County (Pa.) Chapter records
ID
MSS153
Date
1973-1986, undated
Extent
0.8 Linear feet ; 2 boxes
Author
Finding aid prepared by Katherine Kwiatowski.
Sponsor
EAD encoding of this collection’s finding aid in 2020 was supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and by the Young Friends of HSP.
Language
English
Abstract
The Twigs mothers' club was founded in Yeadon in 1948 as "an association whose objective is to encourage and foster mental, physical, social and cultural development of the children who are members." The organization is national in scope and sponsors a wide variety of activities. The materials in this collection of records of the Twigs Inc. North Montgomery chapter span the years 1973 to 1986 and primarily consist of correspondence, administrative records, and material concerning organizational activities and events.

Preferred citation

Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Twigs, Inc. North Montgomery County Chapter records (MSS153), Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

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Background note

The national organization known as Twigs, Inc., was founded in 1948 in Philadelphia by Clara Bostic and seven other African American mothers, namely Marion Beckett, Evelyn Brown, Margaret Carpenter, Ersula Hawkins, Frances Murray, Lillian Reid, and Mary Varleck. These women wanted to offer their children and families a richer array of cultural, educational, and social opportunities than what they could each provide alone. They met monthly, eventually organizing a variety of activities for children of all ages, ranging from the Young Twigs (nursery school to grade three), Junior Twigs, (grades four through six), Intermediate Twigs (grades seven through nine), and Teen Twigs (grades nine through twelve). The name, suggested by one of the original members, was meant to convey that as twigs depend on the tree's trunk and larger branches for growth, so do children rely upon the care of parents and the larger community.

In 1981, a group of interested women from the northern and central areas of Montogmery County, Pennsylvania, met with a representative from the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, chapter to inquire about forming their own. The North Montgomery County Interest Group of Twigs was formed shortly thereafter, and, with sponsorship by the King of Prussia chapter, was eventually installed as the North Montgomery County chapter in 1982.

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Scope and content note

The materials in this collection span the years 1973 to 1986 and primarily consists of correspondence, administrative records, and material concerning Twig activities and events. Information includes agendas, minutes, constitutions, bylaws, committee files, and directories, as well as newsletters and newsclippings. There are also court documents relating to one member's desire to transfer her membership from the King of Prussia chapter to the North Montgomery County chapter. Some information concerning the national organization and other chapters is here as well.

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Overview of arrangement

Series I: Activities and events (1973-1986, undated)

Series II: General office files (1975-1986, undated)

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

 Historical Society of Pennsylvania 2000.

1300 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
215-732-6200

Provenance

Gifts of Doris Jackson, 1986 and 1990.

Accession nunber M86-62 and M90-39.

Processing note

Finding aid reformatted by Lindsey Schwartz, 2020.

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Related Materials

Related materials

At the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:

Twigs, Inc. Marlton, New Jersey Chapter records (MSS152)

Twigs, Inc. National Office records (MSS 151)

Twigs, Inc. North Montgomery County (Pa.) Chapter photograph (PG379)

Twigs, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Chapter photographs (PG382)

Twigs, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Chapter records (MSS154)

Separated materials

One color photograph has been assigned to PG 379.

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Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

  • Jackson, Doris

Subject(s)

  • African American families.
  • African Americans--Pennsylvania--Societies, etc.
  • African Americans--Societies, etc.

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Collection Inventory

 Series I:  Activities and events (1973-1986, undated) 

Scope and Contents note

This series includes calendars, schedules, fundraisers, ceremonies, and conclave events, news clippings, Twig signs, trip information, and youth activities. Any correspondence relating to these activities and events is also here. Although most of the material pertains to the North Montgomery County Chapter, information on national events and events held my other chapters has also been placed here. Arrangement is alphabetical and chronological.

 Box
1
Box Folder

Calendars and schedules (1982-1984) 

 1 1

Conclave activities (1973-1982) 

 1 2

Conferences (1984-1985, undated) 

 1 3

Correspondence (1978-1986) 

 1 4

Fundraisers (1981-1986, undated) 

 1 5

Newsclippings (1984-1986, undated) 

 1 6

Recognitions, inductions, and installations (1982-1986, undated) 

 1 7

Signs (undated) 

 1 8

Teen Twigs (1984-1985) 

 1 9

Trips (1984-1985) 

 1 10

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 Series II:  General office files (1975-1986, undated) 

Scope and Contents note

Agendas and minutes from the North Montgomery County chapter, the national office, as well as other chapters have been placed within this series. Constitutions, bylaws, correspondence, directories, committee files, financial reports, procedural manuals, and court documents are also here. Arrangement is alphabetical and chronological.

 Box
1-2
Box Folder

Agenda and minutes - Conclave (1982-1984) 

 1 11

Agenda and minutes - King of Prussia chapter (1980) 

 1 12

Agenda and minutes - National Executive Board (1982-1985) 

 1 13

Agenda and minutes - North Montgomery County chapter (1982-1986, undated) 

 1 14-15

Agenda and minutes - Philadelphia chapter (1982) 

 1 16

Budget committee (1983-1985) 

 1 17

Career Awareness committee (undated) 

 1 18

Constitution and bylaws - King of Prussia chapter (1975) 

 1 19

Constitution and bylaws - National (undated) 

 1 20

Constitution and bylaws - North Montgomery County chapter (undated) 

 1 21

Correspondence (1982-1986, undated) 

 2 1-4

Court documents (1982) 

 2 5

Directories (1980-1986) 

 2 6-7

Finances (1977-1985) 

 2 8

History (1981-1982) 

 2 9

Newsletters (1984) 

 2 10

Nomination committee (1982-1984, undated) 

 2 11

Procedure materials (undated) 

 2 12

Reports (undated) 

 2 13

Ways and Means committee (1983-1984) 

 2 14

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