American Red Cross, Dayton Area Chapter Records

The records document the establishment and growth of the Red Cross in Dayton. The minutes, correspondence, and annual reports of the various offices, boards, and committees provide a clear picture of the programs and activities of the chapter. Local and national publications present the purpose and goals of the Red Cross and the methods for accomplishing those goals pursued over the years. Scrapbooks, photographs, and financial ledgers provide a more intimate picture of the functioning of the Dayton Area Chapter. The collection also includes a wealth of historical material on the early years of the Red Cross in Dayton, as well as correspondence and records of the Greene County and Preble County chapters prior to their merger with the Dayton Chapter in 1960. The collection is arranged into 13 series.

Series I, History and Background Materials, 1917-1981, includes histories of the National Red Cross as well as the local chapter; correspondence related to development of the chapter by-laws; materials associated with the chapter merger in 1960, the 50th anniversary of the chapter in 1967, and the centenary celebration in 1981; and histories of the Greene and Preble County chapters. Of particular interest are the numerous awards and certificates bestowed upon the chapter (also see oversize materials), and folders containing biographical data of past chapter personnel.

Series II, Annual Reports and Programs, 1918-1998, contains annual reports, annual meeting programs, and annual financial reports for a significant span of the organization’s existence. All of these items are also available on microfilm (MFM 24, Roll 2). Annual Statistical Reports of the chapter, which were published from 1948 1969, are also recorded on microfilm (MFM 24, Roll 3). The originals of these were not retained. Please note that more financial records in the form of ledgers and campaign reports are located in Series IX, Financial Ledgers, 1917-1951, 1972-1996.

Series III, Minutes, 1917-1978, includes minutes of the Board of Directors (also on MFM 24, Roll 1), early minutes of the Miamisburg Red Cross, minutes of the Executive Committee, and minutes of approximately 35 other chapter committees and special groups. Many of the latter are sparse and/or incomplete.

Series IV, Correspondence, 1917-1997, is very diverse. The early correspondence of the Dayton Chapter and other Montgomery County Chapters is classified as general and is arranged chronologically. After 1941, however, the correspondence was voluminous enough to divide into categories by program, including: Administrative and Financial, Legal, Board of Directors, Disaster Services, Nursing Services, etc. The annual campaign correspondence will be of especial value to researchers interested in the history of community fundraising in Dayton. Also included is correspondence of the Southwest Ohio Association of Chapters and the Western Ohio Division. Each of these categories contains a wealth of correspondence related to the specific programs concerned. Correspondence from the early years in Dayton is particularly interesting for those researching the roots of the Dayton Area Chapter and the broad community support the chapter enjoyed.

Series V, Greene County, 1936-1964, 1974, 1980, contains minutes, annual meeting programs, correspondence, award certificates, and campaign materials from the Greene County Chapter before it was merged with the Montgomery County and Preble County chapters in 1960 to form the Dayton Area Chapter of the Red Cross. This series also contains documentation specific to Greene County following the merger, such as the Xenia Tornado in 1974.

Series VI, Preble County, 1917-1959, contains history and by-laws of the chapter, minutes, correspondence, and certificates and awards documenting the chapter prior to its merger with Montgomery and Preble counties in 1960 to form the Dayton Area Chapter of the Red Cross.

Series VII, Publications, 1913-1998, contains both nationally and locally generated publications, many of which were part of the Dayton Area Chapter’s Library. Of special interest are the historical publications, Dayton chapter directories, and strong run of Dayton chapter newsletters. Also included in this series are speeches, plays, and publicity scripts used in the Dayton area. The remainder of the publications are filed by program area, and in many cases provide a chronology of pamphlets documenting the development of the various Red Cross programs.

Series VIII, Scrapbooks, 1930, 1942-1961, 1966, contains six scrapbooks maintained by different chapter offices, and a series of four scrapbooks created by Mrs. L. A. Sutermeister (covering the years 1942 1961). A large scrapbook documenting the nurse's aide program in Dayton is housed with the oversize materials.

Series IX, Financial Ledgers, 1917-1951, 1972-1996, consists of the earliest ledgers in the organization’s history. In addition are financial planning, budgets, and reports for the capital campaign in the 1980s-1990s. For more financial reports from the annual membership campaigns, see Series IV, Correspondence, containing campaign binders for 1990-1995. For an overview of chapter financial development from 1918-1980, see Series II, Subseries 3 containing annual financial reports.

Series X, Photographs, 1898-1996 (bulk 1940-1970), contains the photographic history of the Red Cross. The photographs derive from the national and international Red Cross, as well as the Dayton Area Chapter. Several photographs are by Preston Mayfield. The series is divided by category: Historical, Buildings, Personnel, Annual Meetings, the various programs, Junior Red Cross, etc. Also included are photographs mounted on cardboard by the organization for display and exhibition. A number of group photographs are housed with the oversize materials.

Series XI, Audio/Visual Recordings, 1998, Undated, consists primarily of prepared public service spots on audio discs. A recording of an undated annual meeting is also in this series, along with a VHS tape of the 1998 Miami Valley Hero’s Breakfast.

Series XII, Newspaper Clippings, 1931-1979, 1991, contains a sizable number of clippings, many of which are pasted to paper with the publication and date identified. The clippings are primarily organized by county and region. Clippings on particular topics are under Subseries 9. Clippings on the topic of the Xenia Tornado in 1974 are also available on microfilm (MFM 24, Roll 4).

Series XIII. Ephemera, 1940-1945, Undated, includes three dimensional artifacts such as ribbons, pins, and buttons distributed to the public, and worn by Red Cross volunteers. Clothing patterns for making uniforms are also in this series.