January 12, 1888, Blizzard Club (Lincoln, Neb.)

RG3658.AM:  January 12, 1888, Blizzard Club (Lincoln, Neb.)

Records:  1940-1977
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb.:  Commemorative Association
Size:  1.0 cu.ft.; 3 boxes

BACKGROUND NOTE

The January 12, 1888, Blizzard Club originated on January 10, 1940, at an informal gathering in the State Capitol during a recess of a special session of the Unicameral. W. H. O'Gara, former Speaker of the Nebraska House of Representatives, suggested a dinner to commemorate the Blizzard of 1888. At that dinner, held at the Lindell Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 12, 1940, a permanent organization was formed under the name of the Greater Nebraska Blizzard Club.

The society has continued to hold annual reunions of survivors of the storm. In 1944 the name was changed to the "January 12, 1888, Blizzard Club," in order to avoid confusion with the Blizzard of March 12-14, 1888, which struck New York City. The club also collected stories from survivors of the blizzard and published them in 1947 in a book entitled, In All Its Fury. Subsequently it has issued a series of brochures which contain additional accounts of the Blizzard of 1888. In recent years the club has gathered accounts of other blizzards.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection of the records of the January 12, 1888, Blizzard Club is arranged in the following way:

Series 1: Records of the Blizzard Club, 1940-1976, n.d.
Subseries 1 - Correspondence, 1940-1976, undated
Subseries 2 - Minutes of meetings, 1941-
Subseries 3 - Announcements and programs, 1941-
Subseries 4 - Financial records, 1941-
Subseries 5 - Membership lists, undated
Subseries 6 - Miscellany, 1946-

Series 2: Reminiscences
Subseries 1 - Reminiscences of the Blizzard of 1888
Subseries 2 - Reminiscences of other blizzards

Series 3: Manuscripts, 1947-
Subseries 1 - Manuscript of In All Its Fury, 1947
Subseries 2 - Manuscript of In All Its Fury, fifth brochure, January 1975
Subseries 3 - In All Its Fury, sixth brochure, June 1977

Series 4: Newspaper clippings, 1948-1973

Series 5: Printed material, 1947

Correspondence may also be found in reminiscences and manuscripts series.

Nebraska History magazine contains several articles about the Blizzard of 1888. See the NSHS Library for issues of Nebraska History as well as copies of the book, In All Its Fury. Photographs of the Blizzard Club and the 1888 blizzard are available in the Blizzard collection [RG3139.PH].

DESCRIPTION

Series 1: Records of the Blizzard Club, 1940-1976, n.d.
Subseries 1 - Correspondence, 1940-1976, undated

Box 1
Folder

1. 1940-1958
2. 1962-1967
3. 1970-1976
4. Undated

Subseries 2 - Minutes of Meetings, 1941, 1971-1974

1. 1941, 1971-1974

Subseries 3 - Announcements and Programs, 1941-1974

1. 1941-1974

Subseries 4 - Financial Records, 1941-1967

1. Dues records, 1954-1960
2. Bills and receipts, 1941-1967

Subseries 5 - Membership Lists, Undated

Box 2
Folder

1. Membership lists, undated

Subseries 6 - Miscellany, 1946-1969

1. History of the Blizzard Club, 1946
2. Membership Card
3. Speech by O'Gara, January 11, 1969

Series 2: Reminiscences
Subseries 1 - Reminiscences of the Blizzard of 1888

Box 2
Folder

1. A-D
2. E-J
3. K-P
4. R-Z
5. Reminiscences by county (in order by last name) - A-D
6. Reminiscences by county (in order by last name) - E-L

Box 3
Folder

7. Reminiscences by county (in order by last name) - M-P
8. Reminiscences by county (in order by last name) - R-Z

Subseries 2 - Reminiscences of Other Blizzards

1. Reminiscences of the Blizzards of 1865, 1870, 1878, 1886, 1949, and 1971

Series 3: Manuscripts, 1947-
Subseries 1 - Manuscript of In All Its Fury, 1947

1. 1947

Subseries 2 - Manuscript of In All Its Fury, fifth brochure, January 1975

1. Original letters submitted for inclusion in brochure
2. Typed copy for brochure

Subseries 3 - In All Its Fury, sixth brochure, June 1977

1. Original letters used in brochure

Series 4: Newspaper clippings, 1948-1973

1. 1948-1973
2. Newspaper clippings (See OB033)

Series 5: Printed material, 1947

1. Pamphlets and promotions, 1947

 

ADDED ENTRIES

Blizzards -- Nebraska
Frontier and pioneer life -- Nebraska
January 12, 1888, Blizzard Club (Lincoln, Neb.)
Weather -- Nebraska

 

Revised 02-13-2008   TMM

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