Gold Star Mothers Scrapbooks, 1946-1966
Collection
Identifier: MS-1990-001
Content Description
Materials in this collection include three scrapbooks with histories of the group and its formation, photographs and newspaper clippings. Scrapbooks were arranged by the creator and remain in original order. Collection materials dated 1946-1966.
Dates
- 1946 - 1966
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to duplicate or publish material from this collection must be obtained from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
Biographical / Historical
The American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold, mother of deceased soldier George Vaughn, and later incorporated on January 5, 1929. George was deployed to England and served in the British Royal Flying Corps in France, 148th Aero Squadron. He died in August 1918, but his family was not notified until that October.
Grace decided to devote her time and effort to visiting and comforting mothers who lost their sons to war. During World War I, women flew flags with a blue star in the middle for each family member serving overseas. If a relative died, a gold star was sewn on top of the blue one. Families also hung a gold star in their windows to honor their fallen sons, hence the name of the organization.
The Charlotte Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers was voted into existence on March 17, 1948 through the efforts of Mrs. Peter F. Burns, Mrs. LG Brewer, and Mrs. Almetta McClain. The group met at Efird’s Dining Room. The organization determined the rules and regulations of membership and operation, but the official charter was not obtained until February 28, 1948.
The chapter constructed and dedicated a monument for the Gold Star Mothers organization at the entrance to Evergreen Cemetery on Albemarle Highway. The total cost was approximately $12,000 and was built by the Scoggins Art Shop. The entire monument was paid for by generous donations from the community who wanted to award special honor to those who sacrificed their lives for the country. The roster of men who died are inscribed on the monument to honor them and their families.
As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts.
Grace decided to devote her time and effort to visiting and comforting mothers who lost their sons to war. During World War I, women flew flags with a blue star in the middle for each family member serving overseas. If a relative died, a gold star was sewn on top of the blue one. Families also hung a gold star in their windows to honor their fallen sons, hence the name of the organization.
The Charlotte Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers was voted into existence on March 17, 1948 through the efforts of Mrs. Peter F. Burns, Mrs. LG Brewer, and Mrs. Almetta McClain. The group met at Efird’s Dining Room. The organization determined the rules and regulations of membership and operation, but the official charter was not obtained until February 28, 1948.
The chapter constructed and dedicated a monument for the Gold Star Mothers organization at the entrance to Evergreen Cemetery on Albemarle Highway. The total cost was approximately $12,000 and was built by the Scoggins Art Shop. The entire monument was paid for by generous donations from the community who wanted to award special honor to those who sacrificed their lives for the country. The roster of men who died are inscribed on the monument to honor them and their families.
As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts.
Extent
0.0 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold, mother of deceased soldier George Vaughn, and later incorporated on January 5, 1929 in Washington, DC. As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts.
Materials in this collection include three scrapbooks with histories of the group and its formation, photographs and newspaper clippings. The scrapbooks are in good condition but face preservation issues with fragile binding, non-archival plastic enclosures, and non-archival adhesives. Dated 1946-1966.
Materials in this collection include three scrapbooks with histories of the group and its formation, photographs and newspaper clippings. The scrapbooks are in good condition but face preservation issues with fragile binding, non-archival plastic enclosures, and non-archival adhesives. Dated 1946-1966.
Arrangement
Scrapbooks were arranged by the creator and remain in original order.
Arrangement
Scrapbooks were arranged by the creator and remain in original order.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room by an unidentified donor c1990.
Bibliography
"Our History: Then and Now.” American War Mothers. Accessed November 2019. https://www.goldstarmoms.com/our-history.html.
Condition Description
Materials are in good condition, but face preservation issues with fragile binding, non-archival plastic enclosures, and non-archival adhesives. Newspapers are also yellowing and will become brittle over time.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of this collection was completed by Sydney Carroll, February 2021.
- American Gold Star Mothers, Inc
- Clubs and Organizations Subject Source: Local sources
- Military Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Newspaper clippings Subject Source: Local sources
- Scrapbooks Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- War Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women--Societies and clubs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Gold Star Mothers Scrapbooks, 1946-1966
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Sydney Carroll
- Date
- 2021-02-03
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Repository
Contact:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library-Main
310 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte NC 28202 USA
carolinaroom@cmlibrary.org
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library-Main
310 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte NC 28202 USA
carolinaroom@cmlibrary.org
