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COLORADO SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION RECORDS

 Collection
Identifier: WH78

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The bulk of the papers in this collection stem from the activities of General Irving Hale. Hale served as the second president of the Colorado Society, beginning his term in 1899. Many of the items reflect patriotic themes, especially legislation and reverence to the flag. Much of the material documents events and donations after the end of Hale's three-year term as president. His correspondence with individuals and organizations is found throughout, including his 1897 application to join the Society.

Attempts to merge the Colorado Society of the Sons of the American Revolution with the Colorado Society of the Sons of the Revolution are documented in these papers. Some events sponsored by the Colorado Society of the Sons of the Revolution are represented here, some of which included General Hale's participation.

Numerous clippings and several booklets related to flag protective legislation supported by the Colorado Society are included in this collection. Several Denver newspapers commemorating the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's 1809 birth are also preserved here.

SERIES 1 PAPERS, CORRESPONDENCE 1897-1903 BOX 1

This series contains materials related to the founding of the Colorado Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Most of the documents were addressed to, or originated with, General Irving Hale. These materials are organized chronologically.

SERIES 2 OVERSIZE MATERIALS 1900-1909 OVFF1-OVFF3

Records in this series comprise reprints and original newspaper articles. Many original newspaper articles have been folded and are very fragile. They are retained because of the color printing used, especially in the centenary editions commemorating Abraham Lincoln's birth.

Dates

  • 1899-1929

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research.

OWNERSHIP:

This correspondence is the physical property of the Denver Public Library.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

COLORADO SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ORGANIZATIONAL NOTE

Organized on July 4, 1896, the Colorado Society of the Sons of the American Revolution became the 33rd member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Seeds of the national organization were planted in San Francisco, California, in 1875 with the first state society. After several other states established their own societies, the National Society formed in 1889. The Colorado Society held its first meeting in the store of Kelly and Westling, booksellers and stationers, at 727 16th Street, Denver.

By the end of its inaugural year, the Colorado Society had 47 members, and Joseph F. Tuttle as its president. At the end of its first decade, the Society boasted 195 "registered compatriots." In August 1906, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Colorado Department of State.

In June 1907, the Colorado Society hosted the National Congress of the Sons of the American Revolution. This was the first time the national organization had held its annual congress in the West. Twenty-two states were represented by 96 delegates and three general officers.

In 1908, the Colorado Society numbered 234 members. That same year Colorado Springs applied to form a separate chapter with 25 members. Chapters were eventually created in Greeley (1908), Denver (1909), Ft. Collins (1911), Mesa County (1915), Grand Junction (1916), Pueblo (1916) and Longmont (1917). Many Society meetings were open to the public and attendance sometimes exceeded 500. The Colorado Society's membership peaked in 1921 with 344 members. Six years later, it had declined to 244 members. In 1956, members numbered 137 growing to 235 in 1984, with 1,414 cumulative members since the Society began. The roster of members had declined to 227 in 1996.

Extent

1 box (.25 linear feet)

3 OVFF

Language of Materials

English

PROVENANCE:

Donor and date of donation unknown.

Physical Description

3

SIZE:

Number of Boxes: 1 (.25 lf)

OVFF: 3

LOCATION:

WH78

PROCESSED AND ENCODED BY:

Roger L. Dudley

March 2008

PROJECT MANAGER:

Ellen Zazzarino

Title
COLORADO SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION RECORDS
Date
2008
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository

Contact:
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver CO 80204 United States