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Service Star Legion records

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0222

Scope and Contents

The Service Star Legion records (1905-1985) contain materials concerning the Salt Lake County Chapter, the Utah Division, and the National group of the SSL. The collection contains SSL annual rosters, bylaws, civic service records, constitutions, convention materials, correspondence, essays, financial records, handbooks, histories, invitations, meeting minute records, newsletters, newspaper clippings, programs, publication copies, several scrapbooks, and similar materials concerning Memory Grove Park and Memorial House in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Salt Lake County Chapter annual rosters span the years 1930-1975, but the run is incomplete. There is a 1951 handbook which describes the organization and its purpose, as well as convention programs. There are papers concerning Memory Grove Park and Memorial House histories, projects, and programs. Utah Division papers include their Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, constitution, minutes, and other materials relating to the Utah-Wyoming Division of the early 1930s. The National portions of the SSL papers contain their constitution, convention programs and minutes, copies of The Service Star magazine, histories, and magazine and newspaper articles and clippings. There is also an autobiography of Cora Baker, a national character member, titled "Granny's Story," and the national president endorsements of Clara Miller, a member of the Salt Lake County Chapter.

Dates

  • 1905-1985

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

The Service Star Legion was organized in Baltimore, Maryland on 10 October 1919, and was incorporated under Maryland law in 1930. At first it was an amalgamation of eleven patriotic societies which had grown up during WWI. In Utah the original group, the Salt Lake County Chapter, became known as the War Mothers. The War Mothers was organized in July 1918 and became affiliated with the SSL in January 1920. The purpose of the group was to bring comfort and aid to service men and their families, and to support the country's government. Throughout the years, the national and Utah groups carried on civic projects, such as assisting veterans' hospitals. Since 1926, the Salt Lake County Chapter has improved and supported Memory Grove Park and Memorial House, by planting trees and dedicating Memorial House to the memory of Utah's war dead.

Extent

16.5 Linear Feet (37 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Service Star Legion records (1905-1985) contain materials concerning the Salt Lake County Chapter, the Utah Division, and the National group of the Service Star Legion (SSL). The SSL was a patriotic society, which had its beginnings in Maryland during World War I (WWI). It was organized in Utah, and called that Salt Lake County Chapter, also known as the War Mothers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-2 (1.5 linear feet) were donated by Clara Miller in April 1978.

Boxes 3-33 (15 linear feet) were donated by Isabelle Shaw in May 1987.

Boxes 34-37 (watercolors) were donated by Rhea Stucki and Adelia Knudsen (Service Star Legion representatives) in May 1988.

Separated Materials

See also the Service Star Legion, Salt Lake County Chapter photograph collection (P0304) in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Marlene Lewis, and unknown in 1980 and 1987.

Boxes 34-37 processed by Betsey Welland in 2015.

Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Inventory of the Service Star Legion records, 1905-1985
Author
Finding aid prepared by Marlene Lewis.
Date
1980 (last modified: 2015 and 2019)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.

Revision Statements

  • 2015: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Betsey Welland to include four watercolors into the inventory.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

https://lib.utah.edu/collections/special-collections/index.php
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863

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