Guide to the Decorative Art & Women’s Exchange Minute Book Collection (Unprocessed)

Overview +

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Collection Number

HS

Creator

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Extent

Number of Containers:  One (1) Box
Linear Feet:  1.0 Linear Foot

Repository

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Archives
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Abstract

This collection consists of a minute book.

Location

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA

Preferred Citation

The Decorative Art & Women’s Exchange Minute Book Collection, The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the head of Archives at MAH.  Researchers may be responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use material not produced by museum personnel.

Process By

???

Date Completed

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History +

The Society of Decorative Art of Santa Cruz, a women’s organization, was founded on June 1, 1885, “for the promotion of art in Santa Cruz, and for the establishment of a depot where artistic products might be displayed and sold.” Its first president was Georgiana Bruce Kirby. F. A. Hihn donated the use of rooms on the second floor of his building at the corner of Pacific and Walnut Avenues. A woman manager was permitted to sell art and needlework supplies as compensation for her services. Art, embroidery, and china painting classes were offered, and little girls were taught sewing. Art objects were loaned for exhibit. Guest speakers helped raise funds to support the group’s efforts. In 1891 a Woman’s Exchange opened, where members could sell their art and handiwork. Later, scholarships were given to students to attend art school. The name of the organization was changed to Decorative Art Society and Woman’s Exchange in 1898. In 1910 the society purchased a lot on Walnut Avenue from Hihn. The organization’s building, designed by William H. Weeks, now 125 Walnut Avenue, was completed in 1913. After fifty-four years, the Decorative Art Society and Woman’s Exchange went out of existence in 1939. The minute book includes Board of Directors and membership meetings and a copy of the members’ approval to get a loan from Harriet Blackburn in 1913.