.
By Charles Hay and Cindy Jeffries
Collection Overview
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
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 3: Subject, 1931-1980
- The Subject Series contains 16 boxes of materials arranged in alphabetical order by topic and chronologically within each subject. The bulk of the series consists of general correspondence of a routine nature from individuals or corporations requesting information about the economic, social, and geographic conditions of Richmond and Madison County. Of particular interest is the All Kentucky City Report correspondence which should be used in conjunction with the Opportunity for Progress publications found in the Publication Series. These reports provide abundant information about businesses, industries, social, political, and economic concerns of Richmond. In 1975 Richmond won the coveted All Kentucky City award and in 1977 was elected to the Hall of Fame. Most of the materials found in the Kentucky and United States Chamber of Commerce files primarily consist of publications from those organizations. The series reflects the concerted effort of Richmond's business and educational leaders to attract industry to the community.
- Box 5
- Barcode: 31234014052235
- Folder 1: Advertising Endorsements, 1963-1968
- Folder 2: Agriculture, 1974
- Folder 3: All Kentucky City Report Correspondence, 1967-1969
- Folder 4: All Kentucky City Report Correspondence, 1970-1974
- Folder 5: All Kentucky City Report Correspondence, 1975
- Folder 6: All Kentucky City Report Correspondence, 1976
- Folder 7: All Kentucky City Report Correspondence, 1977
- Folder 8: All Kentucky City Report Correspondence, 1978
- Folder 9: Annexation, 1971
- Folder 10: Annual Dinner, 1963-1968
- Box 6
- Barcode: 31234014052243
- Folder 1: Annual Dinner, 1973-1977
- Folder 2: Associated Industries of Kentucky, 1965-1970
- Folder 3: Attorney General, 1974-1976
- Folder 4: Bicentennial Activities, 1971-1975
- Folder 5: Bluegrass Area Development District, 1974-1975
- Folder 6: Bluegrass Area Development District, 1976-1978
- Folder 7: Bluegrass Army Depot, 1967-1968
- Folder 8: Board of Directors, 1958-1963
- Folder 9: Board of Directors, 1964-1969
- Folder 10: By-Laws and Constitution
- Box 7
- Barcode: 31234014052250
- Folder 1: Carson and Barnes Wildlife Circus, 1979
- Folder 2: Cash Discounts of America, 1971
- Folder 3: Cassius Clay Marker, 1976-1978
- Folder 4: Chamber of Commerce-Other Cities, 1967-1969
- Folder 5: Chamber of Commerce-Other Cities, 1971-1976
- Folder 6: Christmas Activities, 1963
- Folder 7: Christmas Activities, 1964
- Folder 8: Christmas Activities, 1965
- Folder 9: Christmas Activities, 1966
- Folder 10: Christmas Activities, 1967
- Folder 11: Christmas Activities, 1968
- Folder 12: Christmas Activities, 1969
- Folder 13: City Directory, 1968
- Folder 14: Civic Affairs, 1963-1969
- Folder 15: Civic Affairs, 1973
- Folder 16: Clubs and Organizations Lists, 1963-1966
- Folder 17: Colyer, Howard, N.D.
- Folder 18: Committees, 1963-1967
- Folder 19: Community Concerts, 1963-1969
- Folder 20: Complaints, 1967
- Folder 21: Complaints, 1968-1976
- Folder 22: Correspondence, 1936-1962
- Folder 23: Correspondence, Jan-Mar 1963
- Folder 24: Correspondence, Apr-Dec 1963
- Box 8
- Barcode: 31234014052268
- Folder 1: Correspondence, Jan-May 1964
- Folder 2: Correspondence, Jun-Dec 1964
- Folder 3: Correspondence, Jan-May 1965
- Folder 4: Correspondence, Jun-Dec 1965
- Folder 5: Correspondence, Jan-Mar 1966
- Folder 6: Correspondence, Apr-Jun 1966
- Folder 7: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1966
- Folder 8: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1966
- Folder 9: Correspondence, Miscellaneous, 1966
- Folder 10: Correspondence, Jan-Mar 1967
- Box 9
- Barcode: 31234014052276
- Folder 1: Correspondence, Apr-Jun 1967
- Folder 2: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1967
- Folder 3: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1967
- Folder 4: Correspondence, Jan-Feb 1968
- Folder 5: Correspondence, Mar-Apr 1968
- Folder 6: Correspondence, May-Jun 1968
- Folder 7: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1968
- Folder 8: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1968
- Folder 9: Correspondence, Jan-Feb 1969
- Folder 10: Correspondence, Mar-Apr 1969
- Folder 11: Correspondence, May-Jun 1969
- Folder 12: Correspondence, Jul-Aug 1969
- Folder 13: Correspondence, Sep-Oct 1969
- Folder 14: Correspondence, Nov-Dec 1969
- Box 10
- Barcode: 31234014052284
- Folder 1: Correspondence, 1970-Mar 1971
- Folder 2: Correspondence, Apr-Jul 1971
- Folder 3: Correspondence, Aug-Dec 1971
- Folder 4: Correspondence, Jan-Dec 1972
- Folder 5: Correspondence, Jan-Apr 1976
- Folder 6: Correspondence, May-Aug 1976
- Folder 7: Correspondence, Sep-Dec 1976
- Folder 8: Correspondence, Jan-Feb 1977
- Folder 9: Correspondence, Mar-Apr 1977
- Box 11
- Barcode: 31234014052193
- Folder 1: Correspondence, May-Jun 1977
- Folder 2: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1977
- Folder 3: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1977
- Folder 4: Correspondence, Jan-Mar 1978
- Folder 5: Correspondence, Apr-Jun 1978
- Folder 6: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1978
- Folder 7: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1978
- Folder 8: Correspondence, Jan-Mar 1979
- Folder 9: Correspondence, Apr-Jun 1979
- Folder 10: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1979
- Folder 11: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1979
- Box 12
- Barcode: 31234014052185
- Folder 1: Correspondence, Jan-Feb 1980
- Folder 2: Correspondence, Mar-Apr 1980
- Folder 3: Correspondence, May-Jun 1980
- Folder 4: Correspondence, Jul-Sep 1980
- Folder 5: Correspondence, Oct-Dec 1980
- Folder 6: Downtown Richmond Development Corporation, 1976
- Folder 7: East Central Kentucky Development Council, 1971
- Folder 8: Eastern Activities, 1962-1965
- Folder 9: Eastern Activities, 1966-1969
- Folder 10: Eastern Activities, 1969-1977
- Folder 11: Fantus Company, 1967-1968
- Folder 12: Federal Building
- Folder 13: Financial, 1963
- Folder 14: Financial, 1964
- Box 13
- Barcode: 31234014052177
- Folder 1: Financial, 1965
- Folder 2: Financial, 1966
- Folder 3: Financial-Income Tax, 1962-1966
- Folder 4: Fire Prevention, 1963
- Folder 5: Fire Prevention, 1964
- Folder 6: Fire Prevention, 1965
- Folder 7: Fire Prevention, 1966
- Folder 8: Florida Tile
- Folder 9: Fort Boonesborough Restoration, 1971-1973
- Folder 10: General, 1970-1975
- Folder 11: Girl's State Basketball Tournament, 1978
- Folder 12: Governor s Tour, 1963
- Folder 13: Highway and Safety, 1963-1964
- Folder 14: Highway and Safety, 1965
- Folder 15: Highway and Safety, 1966
- Folder 16: Highway and Safety, 1967-1969
- Folder 17: Highway Newsletter, 1968
- Folder 18: Historical Articles and Literature
- Folder 19: H.K. Porter Plant, 1975
- Box 14
- Barcode: 31234014052169
- Folder 1: Incorporation Charter
- Folder 2: Industrial Appreciation Dinner, 1967
- Folder 3: Industrial Appreciation Luncheon, 1976
- Folder 4: Industrial Appreciation Luncheon, 1977
- Folder 5: Industrial Appreciation Week, 1967-1969
- Folder 6: Industrial Appreciation Week, 1970
- Folder 7: Industrial Appreciation Week, 1971
- Folder 8: Industrial Foundation
- Folder 9: Industrial Resources Book
- Folder 10: Industry, 1963
- Folder 11: Industry, 1964
- Folder 12: Industry, 1965
- Folder 13: Industry, 1966
- Folder 14: Industry, 1967-1969
- Folder 15: Industry, 1970-1972
- Folder 16: Industry, 1973-1974
- Folder 17: Industry, 1975-1976
- Folder 18: Internal Revenue Service, 1975-1979
- Folder 19: KEOS Newsletter, 1967
- Folder 20: KY Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, 1968-1969
- Folder 21: KY Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, 1971-1976
- Box 15
- Barcode: 31234014052136
- Folder 1: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1963
- Folder 2: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1964
- Folder 3: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1965
- Folder 4: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1966
- Folder 5: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1967
- Folder 6: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1968
- Folder 7: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1969
- Folder 8: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1970-1972
- Folder 9: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1973-1976
- Folder 10: Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 1977-1979
- Folder 11: Kentucky City Bulletin, 1966-1968
- Folder 12: Kentucky-Commerce Department, 1966-1969
- Folder 13: Kentucky-Commerce Department, 1971-1976
- Box 16
- Barcode: 31234014052128
- Folder 1: Kentucky-Governor s Office, 1972-1980
- Folder 2: Kentucky-Human Resources Department, 1973
- Folder 3: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1964
- Folder 4: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1965
- Folder 5: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1966
- Folder 6: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1967
- Folder 7: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1968
- Folder 8: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1969
- Folder 9: Kentucky Retail Federation, 1973-1976
- Folder 10: Kentucky-Secretary of State, 1976
- Folder 11: Kentucky Travel Council, 1965
- Folder 12: Labor Marketing Information, 1967-1969
- Folder 13: Legislative and National Affairs, 1963-1964
- Folder 14: Legislative and National Affairs, 1965-1968
- Box 17
- Barcode: 31234014052110
- Folder 1: Legislative Committee, 1970-1976
- Folder 2: Legislative Committee, 1977-1978
- Folder 3: Legislative Conference, 1971-1972
- Folder 4: Madison County Association for Retarded Children, 1971
- Folder 5: Member Relations, 1961-1966
- Folder 6: Membership Committees, 1963
- Folder 7: Membership Drive, 1971-1977
- Folder 8: Membership Dues, 1963-1969
- Folder 9: Membership Lists, 1971-1976
- Folder 10: News Clippings, 1931-1963
- Folder 11: Okonite Company, 1968
- Folder 12: Oldham, C.D., 1963
- Folder 13: Open Concern, 1971
- Folder 14: Publicity and Promotion, 1963-1965
- Folder 15: Publicity and Promotion, 1967-1969
- Box 18
- Barcode: 31234014052144
- Folder 1: Publicity Brochure, 1963-1964
- Folder 2: Radio Auction, 1966
- Folder 3: Realtors
- Folder 4: Retail Division-Alert Bulletins, 1969
- Folder 5: Retail Division-Alert Bulletins, 1971-1976
- Folder 6: Retail Division-Calendar of Events, 1968-1969
- Folder 7: Retail Division-Calendar of Events, 1971-1972
- Folder 8: Retail Division-Downtown Richmond Association, 1976-1977
- Folder 9: Retail Division-Eastern Student Appreciation Day
- Folder 10: Retail Division-General, 1963
- Folder 11: Retail Division-General, 1964
- Folder 12: Retail Division-General, 1965
- Folder 13: Retail Division-General, 1966
- Folder 14: Retail Division-General, 1971-1972
- Folder 15: Retail Division-Richmond Day, 1966-1969
- Folder 16: Retail Division-Richmond Day to Sidewalk Sales
- Folder 17: Retail Division-Store Hours, 1968-1969
- Folder 18: Retail Notes, 1964-1965
- Folder 19: Retail Notes, 1967-1969
- Box 19
- Barcode: 31234014052151
- Folder 1: Richmond Citizen Advisory Committee
- Folder 2: Richmond City Ordinances and By-Laws, 1948-1956
- Folder 3: Richmond Data, 1958-1968
- Folder 4: Richmond Data, 1971-1976
- Folder 5: Richmond Mayor and City Council, 1967-1968
- Folder 6: Rural-Urban, 1964-1966
- Folder 7: Schools, 1968
- Folder 8: Schools and Kindergartens, 1974-1976
- Folder 9: Secretaries of other Chambers of Commerce, 1963-1966
- Folder 10: Service Clubs Council, 1963
- Folder 11: Shopping Centers, 1967-1969
- Folder 12: Small Fry Bowl Game, 1966
- Folder 13: Solicitation, 1968-1969
- Folder 14: Solicitation, 1976
- Folder 15: Solicitation, 1977-1978
- Folder 16: Solicitation, 1979-1980
- Box 20
- Barcode: 3123401/052086
- Folder 1: Standard Market Data, 1958
- Folder 2: Sunday Closing Laws, 1971
- Folder 3: Survey Trading Area, 1965
- Folder 4: Thien, Maurice P., 1977-1978
- Folder 5: Tobacco Sales Reports, 1965-1968
- Folder 6: Todd, Russell I., 1978
- Folder 7: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1964
- Folder 8: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1965
- Folder 9: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1966
- Folder 10: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Jan-Apr, 1967
- Folder 11: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, May-Dec, 1967
- Box 21
- Barcode: 31234014052102
- Folder 1: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1969
- Folder 2: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1970
- Folder 3: U.S. Highway 25 Association, 1964-1969
- Folder 4: Wilderness Road, 1979-1980
- Folder 5: Workshop
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Minutes, 1931-1977],
[
Series 2: Publications, 1963-1977],
[Series 3: Subject, 1931-1980],
[
Series 4: Scrapbooks, 1934-1975],
[
All]
