Miami Pioneers Inc. records - 1936-1994

6.70 linear feet (17 boxes)

The Miami Pioneers Club collection consists primarily of  records pertaining to the group’s general operations since its formation in 1937 up to the 1990s, with the majority of the documentation dating from the 1940s-1960s. Among the records are minutes, financial documents, charters and by-laws, lease and insurance records, newspaper clippings, correspondence, event programs and other ephemera, bond stub books, and scrapbooks. Tax records, invoices, newsletters, board information, and data relating to ownership and maintenance of the clubhouse and marina dockage are also included.

Of particular value to genealogists and other researchers are the membership lists and applications which detail the family histories of early Miami residents. Two card files list names, addresses, and phone numbers of club members. Also contained in the collection are applications for membership and yearbooks from the Miami Pioneer Descendants.

The photographic prints include images of  Miami Pioneer Club activities, members, and the marina dockage, as well as historical prints of  Florida sites and reproductions of historical prints of the Kitchell family. Some of the photographs of Miami Pioneers Club members and activities are attached to 11 x 14 poster board with newspaper clippings glued underneath them.

Three scrapbooks, dating from 1968 to 1991, contain newspaper clippings, photographic prints, cards, and other ephemera. Ten audio cassette tapes hold recordings of club meetings at which guest speakers presented programs on various historical persons, places, and events. A large poster-sized family tree of the Shelley family is also contained in the collection. Also included are completed family tree forms which The Miami Pioneers Club distributed to its members in order to consolidate the documentation of early Miami families. Histories of Eastern Airlines and Fort Dallas are also part of this collection.

The files of the Miami Pioneers Club collection are arranged alphabetically by subject. Membership lists and applications are ordered alphabetically by members’ last names. An alphabetical arrangement is also used for the card files containing members’ names and addresses. The audio cassettes are ordered chronologically.

Gift Miami Pioneers, Inc, 1995. Gift of Claire Weintraub-Ceballos, 1999.

Miami Pioneers Descendants records are described separately. Several artifacts used in the Miami Pioneers clubhouse and/or for daily operation of the group during its early years are in the HistoryMiami Objects Collection.

Other Information

Accessions

1995-341

1999-360

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