Indianapolis Gardeners Benefit Society Records, 1867-1985

Accession A91-50
Collection M46

Table of Contents

• Historical Note
• Scope and Content Note
• Box and Folder Inventory

Historical Note

Mutual benefit societies have served as social support organizations for many immigrant groups, including the German community in Indianapolis. Several societies of this type (known as "Unterstutzungs Vereins" in German) were formed in the city during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Many of these societies drew their members from a specific segment of the German community. One example is the Indianapolis Gardeners Benefit Society. Formed on July 6, 1867, its membership was restricted to Indianapolis area greenhouse and outside gardeners. The society remains active, offering its members sickness and death benefit payments and a monthly fellowship meeting. It is also a member of the city's Federation of German Societies.

Scope and Content Note/a

The collection consists of six series: minutes, accounts, constitution, ribbons, photographs, and poster.

Minutes (1876-1938) are the minutes of the society's meetings. These are in two volumes, the first covering 1876-1897 and the second 1915-1938. The first volume is in German; the second volume is in German from 1915 to September 1934 and in English from October 1934 to 1938.

Accounts (1867-1985) includes both the treasurer's books and members' accounts. The records prior to the mid-1920s are in German.

Constitution (1920; 1935) are two copies of the society's constitution and bylaws. The 1920 edition is printed in both German and English.

Ribbons (no date) are two black (possibly mourning) ribbons worn by members of the society.

Photographs (1901-1962) are three composite photographs of members portraits.

Poster (ca. 1945) is a framed advertising poster for Hoosier Boy bib lettuce, grown by the Marion County Greenhouse Growers, Inc.

Box and Folder Inventory

Box	Folder	Contents                                               Date
1	1	Minutes                                                1876-1897
		Minutes and accounts, 9/3/1876-2/7/1897.
		One volume of 384 pages, handwritten in German

1	2	Minutes                                                1915-1938
		Minutes of meetings, 1/3/1915-2/1938.
		One volume of 500 pages, handwritten in German
		until 9/1934 and in English from 10/1934

2	1	Accounts                                               1942-1985
		Members' accounts, 1942-1985, covering people 
		who joined the society between 1942 and 1976.
		One volume of 472 pages (only first 60 used), 
		handwritten in English

2	2	Accounts                                               1958-1968
		Treasurer's book, 1958-1968.  
		One volume of 130 pages, handwritten in English

2	3	Constitution                                           1920
		Pamphlet "Constitution and By-Laws of the 
		German Gardners' Benefit Society in 
		Indianapolis, Ind."  Printed in both English 
		and German

2	4	Constitution                                           1935
		Pamphlet "Constitution and By-Laws of the German 
		Gardners' Benefit Society in Indianapolis, Ind."

2	5	Ribbons	                                               n.d.
		Two black ribbons (mourning ribbons?) with the words 
		"Deutscher Gartner Unterstutzungs Verein  
		Indianapolis, Indiana" on them

3	1	Accounts                                               1867-1909
		Members' accounts, 1867-1909.  One volume of 
		approximately 200 pages, handwritten in German

3	2	Accounts                                               1923-1925
		Members' accounts, 1923-1925.  One softbound 
		volume of approximately 100 pages, handwritten 
		in German

3	3	Accounts                                               1934-1948
		Treasurer's book 1934-1948.  
		One volume of 146 pages, handwritten in English

4	1	Accounts                                               1912-1957
		Members' accounts, 1912-1957.  
		One volume of 445 pages, handwritten in 
		German 1912-1924 and in English 1925-1957

4	2	Accounts                                               1898-1976
		Members' accounts, 1898-1976, covering people 
		who joined the society between 1898 and 1942.  
		One volume of 373 pages

5	1	Photograph                                             1901
		Composite of members' portraits, 
		"Deutscher Gartner Unterstutzungs Verein."
		Size: 16" x 12", with mat: " x "

5	2	Photograph                                             1913
		Composite of members' portraits, 
		"Deutscher Gartner Unterstutzungs Verein."
		  Size: 17" x 13.5", with mat: 19" x 15.5"

5	3	Photograph                                             1962
		Composite of members' portraits, 
		"Deutscher Gartner Unterstutzungs Verein."
		Size: 13.5" x 9.5"

5	4	Poster                                                 ca. 1945
		Framed poster: "Enjoy a new salad treat!  
		Vitamin Packed, Too!  Hoosier Boy Bib Lettuce.  
		Grown and Packed by the Marion County 
		Greenhouse Growers, Inc." 
		Size: 13" x 21"

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