Boston Latvian Student Society records

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: IHRC3338

Staff Only

Abstract

Four notebooks / scrapbooks of correspondence, meeting minutes, financial records, photos, event programs, and clippings.

Dates

1968-1975

Creator

Boston Latvian Student Society (Organization)

Language of Materials

Latvian, some English

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.

For further information regarding the copyright, please contact the IHRCA.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Society was founded on November 4, 1951 by post-WWII Latvian immigrants. Since Boston had many fine universitites it attracted Latvian students from many parts of the United States. The Society organized lectures, film screenings, literature readings, musical events, art exhibits, picnic outings and dances. It provided opportunities for lively discussions of politics and culture. The officers of the Society were elected once a year. Everyone of student age was welcome regardless of whether he or she was currently enrolled in an academic program. As the next generation of students (those born in the US) took over the leadership of the society, more emphasis was placed on organizing dances and outings to the detriment of cultural or political events. Although this generation still spoke the Latvian language fluently and in many cases eventually married within the Latvian American community, they had many more diverse interests and the Society essentially ceased to exist around 1976. (by Martin Duhms, 2004)