Donelson Progressive Club records, 1925-1939.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organization: by record type;,Arrangement: chronological.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

Housed with Marriage and Obituary Scrapbook.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: Records of the Donelson Progressive Club, and its predecessor, the Men's Progressive Club (of Donelson) include membership rolls (1925-1927) and meeting minutes (1925-1939), along with a few cancelled checks issued by Donelson Bank and Trust Company (1934).

Subjects detailed in the minutes include: support for various activities relating to Donelson High School and the Donelson grammar school; school athletics; fundraising and social activities; road and traffic improvements, including state highways; the move to erect a sign to welcome travelers to Donelson; the development of a park, sponsored in part by the club; advocacy efforts and cooperation with county government officials, and Congressional delegation, upon various matters, often relating to transportation; and preparations for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's visit in 1934. Minutes also detail routine club business such as election and activities of officers; appointments and actions of committees; list of members in attendance at each meeting; new members; dues; and publicity.

Cite as: Donelson Progressive Club Records, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

Metro Archives,Transfer to Special Collections Division;,2015.,Special Collections Acc. RT-385.

Charles A. Anderson,Gift;,1994.,Metro Archives Acc. 0166.

It is unclear when the Donelson Progressive Club was established, or when it ceased to exist. Early records give the name of the organization as the Men's Progressive Club; in February 1932 the name changes to the Donelson Progressive Club. They routinely met at Donelson High School. The 1932 constitution and by-laws of the organization state its purpose as: "to promote the worthy organizations and enterprizes [sic] for the best interest of the community, and to arouse the interests of all citizens for community betterment."

The club throughout the documented time period was a major supporter of Donelson High School, the Donelson grammar school, and school athletics, and undertook fundraising efforts to develop a college loan awarded by the club. The group also advocated for community betterment through beautification, landscaping and parks; traffic and pedestrian safety; road, highway and other transportation improvements, including bus routes, railroads, and streetcars; and a variety of other causes. Other actions of the club, notably in 1934, included supporting the proposed redevelopment of Blackwood Field near The Hermitage as a major airport; and taking an active role in providing a rousing welcome to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as he travelled through Donelson on his way to visit The Hermitage.

In English

Donated in 1994 to Metro Archives of Nashville and Davidson County by Charles A. Anderson, who appears to have been a member and officer of the Donelson Progressive Club. Transferred from Metro Archives to the Special Collections Division of the Nashville Public Library Jan. 12, 2015.

process,2016;,Linda Barnickel.

No further accruals are expected.