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Richmond Chamber of Commerce Records

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

Minutes

Publications

Subject

Scrapbooks



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Richmond Chamber of Commerce Records, 1931-1983 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Charles Hay and Cindy Jeffries

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Collection Overview

Title: Richmond Chamber of Commerce Records, 1931-1983Add to your cart.

Primary Creator: Chamber of Commerce (Richmond, Ky.) (1931-)

Extent: 9.02 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 05/30/2002

Subjects: Kentucky--Richmond, Richmond (Ky.)--History.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

In the summer of 1982, the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce voted to deposit permanently all their non-current files in the Eastern Kentucky University Archives. The records were removed from the Chamber's office on two separate occasions. At all times the Archives staff has tried to maintain the original order of the records. There are, however, several large gaps within the records. Subject files for the first twenty-five years of the Chamber's history are virtually non-existent, and the minutes of the Board of Directors meetings for the last decade are incomplete. Researchers will find some information in the Scrapbook Series that will help supplement these areas of insufficient documentation According to the provisions of the Agreement of Permanent Deposit the entire collection is open to research.

The major portion of the Chamber's records chronicle the economic history of Richmond, Ky. during much of the twentieth century. Like most chambers across the United States, the Chamber has actively promoted commercial and industrial development in Richmond. But the Chamber has also concerned itself with the social and cultural life of the community. Information in the Scrapbook Series is especially useful in documenting the Chamber's efforts to help develop Fort Boonesborough and White Hall as major tourist attractions. The Chamber injected itself into local, state,and at times national political issues. When threatened with the closing of the Blue Grass Army Depot, members of the Chamber vigorously lobbied state and national political leaders to keep the Depot open. The Chamber's records reflect these issues and others.

The Archives is indebted to Mrs. Sue Chenault, Executive Director of the Greater Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, for helping secure the records.

Biographical Note

The Greater Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce was established in late 1931. A group of concerned progressive minded civic and business leaders with conservative fiscal views desired a Chamber that could "deal effectively with local civic problems and it would be the instrument, thru which the business welfare of the city could be promoted."1 (See the Richmond Register, November 18, 1931, p. 1). Chamber's of Commerce experience rapid growth throughout the United States during the 1920s in response to greatly expanded business and industrial activities. Creation of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce was in part a response to this development and also a reaction to the growing economic depression which gripped Kentucky and the nation. Richmond Mayor William O'Neil, cashier of the Madison Southern Bank and active Chamber supporter, felt that the "time is here when Richmond and Madison County must present a united front to the world if we hope to hold the business we now have and get that which should come to us."2 (See the Richmond Register, November 27, 1931, p. 1)

The initial organizational meeting of the Chamber was held on November 17, 1931 at the Hotel Gibson. Postmaster Burton Roberts assumed the position of chairman for the organizational campaign. Roberts appointed five captains--George Fawkes, manager of Kentucky Utilities; G.L. Borders, insurance agent; William DeBardeleben, manager of Woolworth's; J.W. Elder, Elder Dry Goods Company; and H.B. Willoughby, Willoughby Coal Company-to seek members and solicit funds for the Chamber. A community dinner held at the First Baptist Church in early December 1931 helped to generate interest and growth in the new Chamber. By the time of the Chamber's first general meeting on December 14, 1931 there were approximately 160 individuals, firms and associations who had become charter members.

On December 23, 1931 officers and a Board of Directors were selected by the membership. Original Board members included--B.E. Willis, G. Marshall Brock, David J. Copeland, H. Bennett Farris, George W. Fawkes, J.W. Hamilton, W.P. Millard, Burton Roberts, George T. Ross, H.B. Willoughby, Allen H. Douglas, and Keen Johnson. The first offices elected were-President - H. Bennett Farris; Vice President - Burton Roberts; Treasurer Allen Douglas; and Secretary - Marshall Brock. A full time secretary, Frank H. Shaffer of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was also employed. Chamber headquarters were located in the Hotel Glyndon and remained there until 1975 when it was relocated to its present location at the corner of Irvine and First Streets.

Through the years the Chamber has experienced a remarkable degree of consistency and stability largely due to the able direction provided by its executive directors--C.D. Oldham, Howard L. Colyer and Sue Chenault. The Chamber has had four different names through the years--Richmond Chamber of Commerce (1932-1945), Richmond Board of Trade (1945-1961), Richmond Chamber of Commerce (1961-1975), and Greater Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce (1975- ).

Although through the years the Chamber has witnessed many striking changes in the history of Richmond, its goals remain virtually unchanged. The Chamber has stood for improving the community's economic status by encouraging business and industry to locate in Richmond, it has actively promoted Madison County's unique historical and scenic tourist attractions, strongly encouraged the development of a county airport facility, helped to control fraudulent business and advertising schemes, and served as a liaison between the Blue Grass Army Depot and Eastern Kentucky University and the community.

Subject/Index Terms

Kentucky--Richmond
Richmond (Ky.)--History.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Chenault, Sue


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Minutes, 1931-1977],
[Series 2: Publications, 1963-1977],
[Series 3: Subject, 1931-1980],
[Series 4: Scrapbooks, 1934-1975],
[All]

Series 4: Scrapbooks, 1934-1975Add to your cart.
The Scrapbook Series contains 18 volumes consisting primarily of news clippings from the Richmond Register. The materials cover a wide range of Chamber activities and document major developments in the history of the city of Richmond.
Box 22: Scrapbooks, 1934-1941Add to your cart.
Barcode: 3123401922362
Item 1: Scrapbooks, Dec 1934 to Dec 1935Add to your cart.
News clippings covering government and civic affairs, prominent citizens, local businesses and organizations, Eastern, Pattie  A. Clay hospital
Physical Description: 10 x 15
Item 2: Scrapbooks, Nov, 1935Add to your cart.
News clippings covering Chamber of Commerce activities and a  letter signed by Guy B. Parks, Governor of Missouri.
Physical Description: 8 x 12
Item 3: Scrapbooks, Oct 1936 to Dec 1937Add to your cart.
News clippings covering local businesses and organizations, prominent citizens, telephone company rate hike, flood relief,  urban development and improvement, Madison Co sesquicentennial celebration, Eastern.
Physical Description: 10 x 14
Item 4: Scrapbooks, 1941Add to your cart.
News clippings covering local businesses and organizations,  education, World War II, prominent citizens, urban development and improvement, Eastern, Madison County Fair.
Physical Description: 12 x 15
Box 23: Scrapbooks, 1955Add to your cart.
Barcode: 3123401922370
Item 1: Scrapbooks, Mar-Dec 1955Add to your cart.
Third annual report in the KY Community Development Project of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce consisting of news clippings covering civic improvement, education, rural development, industrial development, Main Street modernization.
Physical Description: 11 x 13
Box 24: Scrapbooks, 1957-1959Add to your cart.
Barcode: 3123401922388
Item 1: Scrapbooks, 1957Add to your cart.
KY Chamber of Commerce Community Development contest entry consisting of news clippings covering civic affairs, rural development, education, Main Street modernization, tourist promotion, industrial development, organizations.
Physical Description: 14 x 17
Item 2: Scrapbooks, 1958Add to your cart.
KY Chamber of Commerce Community Development contest entry consisting of news clippings covering civic improvement, rural development, education, Main Street modernizations, tourist promotion, and organizations.
Physical Description: 14 x 17
Item 3: Scrapbooks, 1959Add to your cart.
KY Chamber of Commerce Community Development contest entry consisting of news clippings covering aspects of community life such as the Madison County fair, local businesses, urban and rural development, education, organizations, industrial development.
Physical Description: 14 x 17
Box 25: Scrapbooks, 1962-1971Add to your cart.
Barcode: 3123401922354
Item 1: Scrapbooks, 1962Add to your cart.
Street Plan for Richmond prepared for the KY Department of Highways in cooperation with U.S. Dept of Commerce, Bureau of Public Roads and City of Richmond by Wilbur Smith and Associates.
Physical Description: 10 x 15.
Item 2: Scrapbooks, Oct 3-9, 1965Add to your cart.
Richmond Chamber of Commerce Fire Prevention report comprised of various pamphlets, news clippings and other materials.
Physical Description: 12 x 13
Item 3: Scrapbooks, Jan-Sep 1970Add to your cart.
News clippings covering governmental affairs, various organizations, Pattie A. Clay hospital, Eastern, Bluegrass  Army Depot, urban development and improvement, prominent citizens, education, historical buildings.
Physical Description: 12 x 14.
Item 4: Scrapbooks, Sep 1970 to Sep 1971Add to your cart.
News clippings covering local businesses and organizations, education, urban development and improvement, cultural events, local issues, Pattie A. Clay hospital, Sunday closing law, Bluegrass Army Depot, White Hall.
Physical Description: 13 x 13.
Box 26: Scrapbooks, 1971-1975Add to your cart.
Barcode: 3123401922339
Item 1: Scrapbooks, 12 Oct 1971 to 30 Sep 1972Add to your cart.
News clippings covering Eastern, Boonesborough, prominent citizens, urban development and improvement, local schools, businesses and organizations, local and state elections, Madison County Airport, Pattie A. Clay hospital, Bluegrass Army Depot, local issues and events, Sunday closing law.
Physical Description: 12 x 14.
Item 2: Scrapbooks, Jan 1-Jul 24, 1975Add to your cart.
News clippings covering local organizations, events,businesses, schools, urban development and improvement, local issues and Eastern, prominent citizens, weather, Pattie A. Clay hospital, Bluegrass Army Depot, historical buildings, Boonesborough.
Physical Description: 11 x 13
Box 27: Scrapbooks, 1952-1973Add to your cart.
Barcode: 3123401922347
Item 1: Scrapbooks, 1 Apr 1952 to Feb 1953Add to your cart.
First annual report in the KY Community Development Project of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce consisting of news clippings covering Eastern, businesses and organizations, Bluegrass Army Depot, local issues, education, Pattie A. Clay hospital.
Physical Description: 11 x 13
Item 2: Scrapbooks, Mar 1953 to Mar 1954Add to your cart.
Second annual report in the KY Community Development Project of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce consisting of news clippings covering civic affairs, Bluegrass Army Depot, businesses and organizations, education, Eastern.
Physical Description: 11 x 13
Item 3: Scrapbooks, 1956Add to your cart.
Fourth annual report in the KY Community Development Project of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce consisting of news clippings covering civic affairs, local businesses and organizations, education, urban development and improvement.
Physical Description: 13 x 20
Item 4: Scrapbooks, Oct 1972 to Feb 7, 1973Add to your cart.
News clippings covering local organizations, businesses and schools, Eastern, prominent citizens, local issues and events, Bluegrass Army Depot, Kentucky Bicentennial celebration.
Physical Description: 11 x 13

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Minutes, 1931-1977],
[Series 2: Publications, 1963-1977],
[Series 3: Subject, 1931-1980],
[Series 4: Scrapbooks, 1934-1975],
[All]


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