In 1927, Mary Florence (Rafter) McCusker and Isabel (McMurty) Voigt founded a small group for fellow members of the Brown Alumnae Club of Providence. The group's name became the Pembroke Afternoon Reading Group (PARG) when the Brown Alumnae Club's name was changed to the Pembroke College Club of Providence. Although loosely affiliated with the Alumnae Club, PARG led an independent existence.
PARG's by-laws state that its aims were "sociability, sewing, reading, and handiwork." In her 1967 history (see folder #1), Helen (Thayer) Paxton reported that early meetings consisted of a book review followed by an elaborate tea. In 1928, play reading and drama reviewing were added. The group occasionally raised funds for Pembroke College. The organization dissolved in 1991 after its once large membership had dropped to eleven.
"History of the Pembroke Afternoon Reading Group"
Index cards
(scattered)
List
Includes clipping re: Alice M.B. Eliot.
Card file of addresses, dates
Accounts, reports
Accounts, reports
Accounts, reports
Accounts, reports
Annual reports
Correspondence, most re: gifts Also includes statement by Elizabeth Jeffers Winsor re: PARG's end.
The collection is organized in one series: I. General files, 1927-1991.
The Pembroke Afternoon Reading Group records consist of a history, history notes, membership rosters, clippings, reports, accounts, photographs, and notebooks. The notebooks contain programs, notices, and reports and include such information as the names of the hostess and reader, the subject to be discussed at the meeting, and the number of members present.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Pembroke Afternoon Reading Group records, OF.1S.8ZP, Brown University Archives.
Most of the pre-1984 records were donated to the John Hay Library by the Pembroke Afternoon Reading Group (PARG) in January 1985. The treasurer's accounts, some membership rosters, and a file of correspondence were donated in 1991 by Jessie Barker, PARG's treasurer since 1982. Eleanor McElroy donated the final record book in 1992.
Related artifacts may be found in the University Archives Museum Objects collection, object numbers M912 and M929.