Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Virginia Extension Homemakers Council Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Acquisition Information

Virginia Extension Homemakers Council Papers were donated to Special Collections in 2011. Additional material was donated to Special Collections in 2013.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Virginia Extension Homemakers Council Papers, Ms2011-090, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Virginia Extension Homemakers Council was completed in October 2011. Additions to the collection were completed in April 2014.

Historical Note

The Virginia Extension Homemakers Council (formerly the Virginia Home Demonstration Club and currently the Virginia Association for Family and Community Education) was founded in 1923 and was one of the founding members of the National Home Demonstration Council in 1936 (which changed its name to National Extension Homemakers Council in 1963 and later to National Association for Family and Community Education). These groups focus on programs that provide education on family and women's issues as well as provide opportunities for leadership development within the community. The organizations are affiliated with the Associated Country Women of the World.

Scope and Content Note

This collection includes records, publications, yearbooks, slides, videos, and artifacts from the National and Virginia chapter of the Extension Homemakers Council (currently named the Virginia Association for Family and Community Education). Materials in the collection date from 1948 to 2007.

These records mostly pertain to the administrative and financial organization of the institutions but also encompass various programs and projects undertaken by the VEHC. There is a significant amount of information on the VECH Bicentennial tapestry project, both in written records and multimedia. Many of the slides pertain to 4-H club activities and camps. Artifacts in the collection consist of a 50th Anniversary commemorative plate and bell, 4-H award plaques, as well as the seal of the National Extension Homemakers Council and the Bedford 4-H crest and flag.

Arrangement

Series I: National Extension Homemakers Council includes materials relating to the national organization. Materials consist of newsletters, meeting minutes, administrative records, and memorabilia from Virginia meetings. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series II: Virginia Extension Homemakers Council consists of three subseries. Subseries A: Administration and Organizational History includes annual reports, meeting minutes, and membership materials. Subseries B: Programs and Projects consists of various programs like the Bicentennial Tapestry and local heritage projects that were undertaken by VEHC. Subseries C: Scrapbook and Memorabilia contains VEHC scrapbooks. All subseries are arranged chronologically.

Series III: Associated Country Women of the World includes pamphlets, circulars, and the executive minutes of the Associated Country Women of the World organization. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series IV: Virginia Association of Extension Home Economists consists of the history of home demonstrations, as well as both state and district reports from the National Home Demonstration Council. This series is organized chronologically.

Series V: National Virginia Family and Community Education includes yearbooks, correspondence, and other organizational material related to the organization. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series VI: Other Organizations contains material related to the VA Mother's Committee and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Civil Rights Compliance organization. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series VII consists of four subseries. Subseries A: Audio contains recording reels related to the Bicentennial Quilt Project. Subseries B: Photographs and Negatives includes photographs related to the Bicentennial Tapestry, as well as many unlabeled negatives. Subseries C: Slides consists of picture slides of organization activities, many of which document 4-H camps and projects. It also includes slides and presentation materials on such topics as "How to Give a Good Speech" and the "Growth and Development of Youth." Subseries D: VHS Tapes includes a variety of videos on such topics as "Puppy to Do Training," and "Self Esteem in School-Aged Children." Many of the VHS tapes relate to the 4-H program. All subseries are arranged chronologically.

Series VIII: Artifacts contains artifacts related to VEHC including 4-H award plaques, the NEHC seal, the Bedford Country 4-H Flag, a 50th anniversary commemorative plate and bell, and the Extension Homemakers Crest. The series is arranged chronologically.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• National Extension Homemakers Council. Virginia Chapter. (U.S.)
• National Home Demonstration Council. Virginia Chapter. (U.S.)
• Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.

Subjects:

• 4-H clubs
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Virginia Cooperative Extension Service