Phrenokosmian Society records
Scope and Contents
The Phrenokosmian Society records, 1860-1924, has been organized into six series: Constitution, bylaws, and letters of certification; Financial records; Meeting minutes; Membership; Programs; and Publications.
The Constitution, bylaws, and letters of certification series (1880-1890 and undated) contains several versions of the Phrenokosmian Society constitution and bylaws in both English and Swedish, as well as a letter and certificate of organization from Secretary of the State of Illinois.
The Financial records series (1867-1916) contains Treasurer's books, dues books, and receipts.
The Meeting minutes series (1877-1924) contains the minutes from meetings between 1877 and 1924.
The Membership series (1886-1914) consists of an attendance book and membership lists.
The Programs series (1860-1914) contains a list of program topics arranged by date as well as printed programs from various events.
The Publications series (1874-1913) consists of every issue of the weekly newsletter, the "Phrenokosmiana." This newsletter was handwritten in both Swedish and English.
Dates
- Creation: 1860-1924
Creator
- Augustana College and Theological Seminary (Rock Island, Ill.). Phrenokosmian Society (Organization)
Language of Materials
English and Swedish
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.
Historical Note
The Phrenokosmian Society is one of Augustana College's oldest student organizations. During the year of the founding of the college (1860), a meeting of students was called to discuss the possibility of founding a literary society. This discussion led to the creation of the Phrenokosmian Society. According to its constitution, the object of the Phrenokosmian Society was to "promote a Christian life, literary improvement, and intellectual development in general among its members." The Society met weekly for debates, declamations, addresses and discussions. Membership was limited to current Augustana College and Theological Seminary students, but honorary members (faculty and community members) were admitted. Meetings were conducted alternately in English and Swedish.
The Phrenokosmian Society published a weekly paper called "Phrenokosmiana," from 1874 through 1913. The group also partnered with the Adelphic and Linnaean Societies to publish a literary magazine, Lyceum Annual, from 1890 to 1894.
Extent
3.0 Cubic Feet (/ 6 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Abstract
The Phrenokosmian Society is one of Augustana College's oldest student organizations. According to their constitution, the object of the Phrenokosmian Society was to "promote a Christian life, literary improvement, and intellectual development in general among its members." The Society met weekly for debates, declamations, addresses and discussions. The Phrenokosmian Society records, 1860-1924, has been arranged into six series: Constitution, Bylaws, and letters of certification; Financial records; Meeting minutes; Membership; Programs; and Publications.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Processing Information
Processed by Emily Hughes Dominick, 2007. Revised by Atticus Garrison, February 2016.
- Title
- Phrenokosmian Society records, 1860-1924.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Atticus Garrison
- Date
- February 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States
specialcollections@augustana.edu