Finnish Socialist Club, Astoria, Oregon records

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: IHRC710

Staff Only

Astoria, Oregon Finnish Socialist Club, Board of Directors Minutes, 1912-1915 (Box 1, Folder 1)

Abstract

Minutes (1912-1915), in Finnish, of the Finnish Socialist Club (Astoria, Ore.), Board of Directors. Although the minutes deal mainly with business affairs, they indirectly reflect much of the cultural and political activity in the Astoria Finnish socialist community during this time. For example, the minutes for 1913 include records of donations to the striking copper miners in Michigan. Except for Board minutes published in the newspaper Toveri, these are the only known extant minutes of the Finnish Socialist Club of Astoria, Oregon.

Dates

1912-1915

Creator

Finnish Socialist Club (Astoria, Ore.). (Organization)

Language of Materials

Finnish

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Finnish Socialist Club of Astoria, Oregon was founded in 1904. In a few years, its membership numbered between three and four hundred. The Club founded the socialist newspaper Toveri, which became one of three major newspapers of the national Finnish Socialist Federation, together with Tyomies and Raivaaja. Toveri was financially dependent upon the Finnish Socialist Club and its staff were influential in Club activities. Another major project of the Club was construction of a large hall in 1911, complete with an opera house, ballroom, bowling alley, library, poolroom, custodial living quarters, and a store. For twelve years, until it burned in 1923, the hall was the center of cultural life for Astoria's socialist Finns. Many prominent Finnish socialists participated in its many activities, among them: Lauri Lemberg; Rosa Lemberg; John Malo; Waino Riippa; and George Altman.

Extent

1 linear inch

Subjects

Copper Miners' Strike, Mich., 1913-1914. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Finnish American Socialists -- Oregon -- Astoria. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Finnish American newspapers. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Finnish American press. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Finnish Americans -- Political activity. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings