Resident Hostess Club of Oregon State College Records (RG 133)
1948-1967
1 reel microfilm
Scope and Content Note
The Resident Hostess Club of Oregon State College Records relate to the activities
and organization of the club. Records are organized into five series: I. Minutes;
II. Letter and Report; III. Dues Record Book; IV. Financial Statements; and V.
Gavel. Series I consists of minutes of monthly meetings and an undated
constitution of the organization. Series II consists of a letter, 1952, and a
financial report regarding a tea party, 1966. Series III includes a dues
record book indicating membership lists and amounts paid for dues. Series IV
includes bank statements, invoices, checkbook registers, and cancelled checks
for 1965-1967. Series V is an image of the gavel used by the organization.
Historical Note
The Resident Hostess Club of Oregon State College was officially named as such in
1948, but apparently existed without a formal name for some time previously. The
club consisted of the housemothers, or resident hostesses, of organized living
groups on campus, including both male and female living groups. By 1955 the Greek
fraternities had housemothers, or hostesses, living in each house, also.
According to its constitution, the purpose of the club was "to promote friendliness
among the membership." The hostesses met monthly to discuss problems at the
living groups and to plan social events for the residents. Most meetings
included a program conducted by the Dean of Women. The club disbanded sometime
after 1967.
Related Materials
The Dean of Women's Records (RG 57) have related materials, as the Dean of Women
and her assistants were members of the Resident Hostess Club. Two memorabilia files
contain materials related to the subject of housemothers: MC - Housemothers for
Fraternities and MC - Housemothers Conferences, 1940-1963. The Daily
Barometer (PUB 15-11b) contains several articles about housemothers, or hostesses, from 1955
and 1956, as well as an article on the Resident Hostess Club in 1948.
Shelf Location
Prepared by: Janet Wendt
