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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Finding Aid Authors: Special Collections Staff.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Pulaski Club Records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Acquisition Information:
Gift via the Williamsburg Historic Records Association. 1990.03 President Carleton Casey 1993.16 Pulaski Club 1994.36 Dr. Carleton Casey 1998.42 Dr. Carleton Casey 2001.33 Susan Prentice 2005.07 Channing M. Hall, III 2005.46 Unknown 2005.60 Channing M. Hall, III 2006.42 Channing M. Hall, III 2007.11 Channing M. Hall, III 2007.14 Channing M. Hall, III 2007.68 Channing M. Hall, III 2007.115 Channing M. Hall, III 2008.66 Channing M. Hall, III
Processing Information
This colleciton ID was changed to MS 00097 in October 2018. It was formerly identified as Mss. Acc. 1990.03.
Accruals
Additions are being added on an ongoing basis.
Historical Note:
In about 1777, a group of Virginians began meeting as a social club at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, Virgina. General George Washington mentions the Williamsburg club in some of his letters, and tradition holds that in 1779, the members accepted the General's recommendation to venerate the memory of Casimir Pulaski and name their group in his honor as a tribute to Pulaski's valiant service and personal sacrifice in the cause of American freedom.
Herbert L. Ganter, for years archivist at the College of William and Mary, and Dr. Henry E. Davis of Eastern State Hospital, club members, spent hours in the early 1960s researching the club. Based on the information they collected, including published accounts and the club's surviving minutes, it appears that the organization lapsed sometime during or after the "Late Unpleasantness of 1861-1865." It reappeared in the guise of a college club sometime between 1870 and 1875, when Henry Denison "Den" Cole of Williamsburg was a student.
Cole, evidently, carried the club from the college to his family-operated business-the Cole Shop-on Duke of Gloucester Street. Gradually the group comprised businessmen of the town and college professors, many of them prominent citizens. As the years went by, it was not unusual for members to be found at the Cole Shop sitting around a wood stove in the back room.
The club has records that go back over 100 years. It is probable that any older records were lost or destroyed during the "Late Unpleasantness" of 1861-1865.
Content Description
Records of the Pulaski Club of Williamsburg, a men's social club, named in honor of Count Pulaski of American Revolutionary War fame. Includes minutes, correspondence, photographs, poetry, stationery and clippings. Two letters by John D. Rockefeller are included.
Related Material
Related artifacts described in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection (Mss. 1.03):
Framed Watercolor "Wood for the Pulaski Club Stove" (Mss 2014.005.01)
Separated Material
Related artifacts described in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection (Mss. 1.03):
Framed Watercolor "Wood for the Pulaski Club Stove" (Mss 2014.005.01)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- Membership lists
- Men--Virginia--Societies and clubs
- Minutes
- Photocopies
- Photographs
- Poems
- Pulaski Club (Williamsburg, Va.)
- Reports
- Resolutions (administrative records)
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History
- Williamsburg (Va.)--Social life and customs
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History
- Williamsburg (Va.)--Social life and customs
Container List
About fifty items dating from 1877 to 1989 of records of the Pulaski Club of Williamsburg, Virginia, a men's social club, named in honor of Count Pulaski of American Revolutionary War fame. Includes minutes, correspondence, photographs, poetry, clippings. Two letters by John D. Rockefeller are included. An original pen and ink Christmas Card featuring members of the Pulaski Club signed by John C. Osborn and dated December 25, 1931. 1994.36 combined with 1990.03. Photocopy of Will Molineux's letter accepting invitation to join the Pulaski Club, March 27, 1993. Lists of Pulaski Club members from 1992, 1993 and 1994. (Mss. Acc. 1990.03, 1994.36)
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
Puliaski Club notesundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 2
Pulaski Club framed member listundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 3
Photographs and newspaper clippings1920-1982EnglishScope and Contents
Photographs and newspaper clippings of the photographs of the Cole Shop, the Pulaski Club in 1920, Pulaski Club officers in 1962, Pulaski Club members in 1982, and a portrait of Count Casimir Pulaski from Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4
Pulaski Club minutes and membership election1930-1993English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5
Miscellaneous materialundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6
Photocopied articles about the Pulaski Club1779 April 16-1990 MarchEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7
Publications about Williamsburg before the Restoration1978-1988English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8
Poems about the Pulaski Club1923-1989EnglishScope and Contents
Poems about the Pulaski Club written by the History Committee Henningham Harrison and Ludwell Johnson.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9
Pulaski Club printed memorabiliaundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10
Bills, receipts, and membership lists, and dues lists1927-1994English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 11
Letters of application for and declining membership1877 May-JuneEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 12
Letters to and from Pulaski Club members concerning the Pulaski Club and personal activities1926-1952English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 13
Cards and letters to the Pulaski Club from the family of dead members thanking the Club for flowers and other sentiments of sympathy1927-1956English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 14
Letters and memorials honoring recently deceased members of the Pulaski Club1927-1971English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 15
Gebbie Galt Harrison, Williamsburg Virginia, to the Pulaski Club1931English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 16
Letters to and from non-Pulaski Club members to the Club1931-1953English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 17
The Pulaski Club, Williamsburg, Virginia, to John D. Rockefeller, Jr., New York City, New York1935 September 7EnglishScope and Contents
Appreciation and thanks sent for the set of benches to replace the old benches used by the Pulaski Club.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 18
Letters of application to the Pulaski Club1955-1956English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 19
The Pulaski Club, Williamsburg, Virginia, to U.G. Graffam, Plymouth, Massachusetts1956 February 4English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 20
Pulaski Club StationaryundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 21
Newspaper, The Norfolk Landmark1877 July 15English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 22
Resolutions made by Pulaski Club members to honor their recently deceased members1927-1930English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 23
Receipts from the Daily Press newspaper for publishing resolutions1928English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 24
Speeches to the Pulaski Club by A. Brooks, President, presented during two club banquets1930-1931English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 25
Post cards and newspaper clippings relating to Count Casimir Pulaski1937-1979English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 26
Narrative by a Pulaski Club member about a "miniature" facsimile of the parent Williamsburg Club in Maitland, Floridacirca 1950-1960English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 27
Miscellaneous non-Pulaski Club materialundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 28
The Pulaski Club, Williamsburg, Virginia, to Harry F. Byrd, Governor of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia1929English
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 29
Pulaski Club, MsV1undatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 30
Pulaski Club Minute Book, MsV2undatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 31
Pulaski ClubundatedEnglish
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 32
Pulaski Club Bible, purchased 19251925
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 1 id63395
J. Wilfrid Lambert's Membership Letter and Soap Wrapper1965Scope and Contents
Letter of W. Ray Allen, Williamsburg to J. Wilfrid Lambert informing him of the requirements to become a life member of the Pulaski Club of Williamsburg. Note on back of Octagon Soap wrapper informing Lambert he had become a life member. Mss. Acc. 1993.16 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 2 id63393
Flyer, Stationary and Membership List1995-1997Scope and Contents
The Pulaski Club flyer with stationery relating to the Club. Membership lists of the Pulaski Club, 1995-1997. Mss. Acc. 1998.42 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 3
Ed Spencer's Reminiscences1930's to 1940'sScope and Contents
Ed Spencers Reminiscences of Arriving in Williamsburg.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 4 id63389
Photograph of Pulaski Club, April 19321932Scope and Contents
Photograph of Pulaski Club, April 1932, with identifications on the reverse. Mss. Acc. 2001.33 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 5 id64314
Pulaski Club's 225th Anniversary Dinner1993 and 2005Scope and Contents
Program for Pulaski Club's 225th anniversary dinner, 10/25/2004. Program and menu for dinner held at a Chefs' Kitchen. Mss. Acc. 2005.07 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 6 id63413
Annual Sociable1993 and 2005Scope and Contents
Papers relating to the annual sociable of the Pulaski Club, 2005. Includes correspondence with John V. Quarstein, program of the 2005 sociable, as well as a newspaper clipping, 1993. Mss. Acc. 2005.46 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 7 id63388
Luncheon, Annual Membership Dinner, Virginia Living Museum Photograph2005Scope and Contents
Minutes, Sept 22, 2005, of Pulaski Club luncheon. Flyer for reservation for the Annual Membership dinner, and information regarding photograph for article for Virginia Living Magazine. Mss. Acc. 2005.60 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 8 id63387
Annual Social, Article, Correspondence2006Scope and Contents
Pulaski Club article, "Pulaski Club: No Clubhouse, It Meets on Street", from Virginia Living Magazine, June 2006, by Chiles Larson. Includes drafts. The Pulaski Club Annual Sociable, April 11, 2006, given by Wilford Kale. Invocation, April 11, 2006, given by David J. Tetrault. Correspondence, 2006, of Channing M. Hall, III concerning the event. Mss. Acc. 2006.42 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 9 id63392
Pulaski Club Schedule2007Scope and Contents
Pulaski Club Schedule for 2006-2007. Mss. Acc. 2007.11 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 10 id63414
Programs, Correspondence, Notes2006Scope and Contents
2006 material which includes programs for October 11, 2006 meeting, correspondence and notes from the presiding officer, Channing Hall. Mss. Acc. 2007.14 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 11 id63390
Annual Sociable and Winter/Spring Schedule2006 and 2007Scope and Contents
Papers, 2006-2007, of the Pulaski Club. Program for the April 19, 2007 annual Sociable with a photocopy of the thank you letter to Thomas K. Norment, Jr., speaker and the 2006-2007, winter-spring schedule. Mss. Acc. 2007.68 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 12 id63415
Annual Dinner Records2007Scope and Contents
Thank you letters for performer and meal at Pulaski Club Annual Dinner held November 8, 2007, at Alize Bistro; remarks made at the dinner; and photocopy of program. Mss. Acc. 2007.115 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 13 id63416
Annual Social, Correspondence, Channing Hall Remarks2008Scope and Contents
Pulaski Club Papers, 2008, includes menu for Annual Sociable, 17 April, 2008; program; correspondence with John Quarstein, Wayne P. Wright, Richard W. Tate and Thomas Moyles; toast by Jim Kelly, as well as remarks by Channing M. Hall, III. Mss. Acc. 2008.66 Addition
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 14 id79936
Fall Cookout on the James2010Scope and Contents
Contains material related to the 2010 Fall Cookout on the James, held by the Pulaski Club. Acc. 2010.706 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 15 id87052
Annual Members Dinner2010Scope and Contents
Includes information about the Pulaski Club's Annual Members Dinner. Acc. 2011.123 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 16 id139868
Records2011Scope and Contents
Records. Acc. 2011.358 Addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 17 id112162
Newsletters2011Scope and Contents
Newsletters, 2011, of the Pulaski Club. Acc. 2011.651 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 18 id138109
Pulaski Club Annual Meeting2011Scope and Contents
Contains the remarks given by Channing M. Hall, III, at the Pualski Club Annual Meeting held on 17 November 2011. There is also the registration form for the meeting and a letter about the meeting.Acc. 2012.064 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 19 id149511
Pulaski Club Annual Sociable2012Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence, invitations, and remarks made at the Pulaski Club Annual Sociable. Acc. 2012.164 additon.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 20 id149895
Pulaski Club Correspondence2012Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence about adding three new members and the true age of Count Pulaski. Also included in the accession is a reproduction of a 1939 Zaharov watercolor with order form to purchase. Acc. 2012.220 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 21 id174113
Schedule of Events, 2012-2013Scope and Contents
Acc. 2012.376 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 22 id202048
Pulaski Club Correspondence2012-2013Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence of the Pulaski Club regarding the destruction of their Sugar Maple on Duke of Gloucester Street, appreciation of their Treasurer, and the annual dinner at the Fireside Chop House in Williamsburg, Virginia.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 23 id226218
Pulaski Club Correspondence2013 July-SeptemberScope and Contents
Contains letters written by Channing Hall III regarding the Pulaski Club lunch on August 13, 2013, the donation to the Williamsburg Historic Records Association of Willard Gilley's Zaharov watercolor, the 2013-2014 arrangements calendar, the September 12, 2013 meeting, and the annual members dinner on October 10, 2013. Mss addition 2013.292.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 24 id226222
Pulaski Club Correspondence2013 April-DecemberScope and Contents
Contains a color photograph of Pulaski Club members on April 4, 2013 on the Pulaski Club benches in Colonial Williamsburg, correspondence regarding the 2013-2014 arrangements calendar, and the October 10, 2013 annual members dinner.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 25 id242817
Annual Sociable and Winter Gathering Records2014Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence, speeches, and programs from the 2014 Annual Sociable and Winter Gathering of the Pulaski Club. Addition Mss. Acc. 2014.140.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 26
Pulaski Club Records2014Scope and Contents
Correspondence, brochures and records from 2014. Mss. Acc. 2015.242 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 27
Pulaski Club Records2017Scope and Contents
Records for 2017. Includes Octagon Laundry Soap Membership wrapper from Edgar K. Wells, Jr. 1960.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 28
Pulaski Club Records2014-2019Scope and Contents
Brochures, schedules, correspondence and more. Mss. Acc. 2019.010 addition.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 29
Letter of Appreciation and Donation to Colonial Williamsburg2019 January 20Scope and Contents
Mss. Acc. 2019.045 addition.
Contains administrative records, scrapbooks, and other material related to the Pulaski Club of Williamsburg, Virginia. Included in the addition are photographs of members and Pulaski Cub Dinners from 1928-2011; scrapbooks containing clippings, photographs, and letters documenting the history of the Pulaski Club; and administrative records consisiting of letters, clippings, and membership rosters from 1976-2011.
- Mixed Materials box: 3
Correspondence to and from members of the Pulaski Club2002 October 26-27
Correspondence and Annual Sociable ephemera. Ephemera includes memorial toast information for Willard Sheally Gilley.
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Correspondence and Annual Sociable ephemeraMixed Materials box: 3 2017-2023