Homestake Veterans Association Records

Collection

Identifier: 5008

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of organizational and administrative records of the Homestake Veterans Association created from 1905 to 1989, including correspondence, financial records, minutes, newspaper clippings, and yearbooks. The bulk of the materials date from 1936 through 1975. Of particular note are the Secretary’s Records, which contain meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and correspondence pertaining to the administration of the organization. Included within the Secretary’s Records are some records created and used by Homestake Veterans Association presidents. Several files pertain to the Homestake Veterans Association Widows Benefit Fund. These materials are primarily financial and document the recipients of fund payments. Additional information, including thank you notes from widows and family members, are located within the correspondence files. Information on membership and the careers of individual Homestake Veterans may be found in the Lists of Homestake Veterans, Secretary’s Records, Forty-Year-Award Letters, and Yearbooks.

Dates

1905 - 1989

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment.

Biographical / Historical

The Homestake Veterans Association, founded in December 1905, is a fraternal organization made up of longtime Homestake Mining Company employees. Initially, employees became eligible for membership in the Veterans Association after 21 years of employment by Homestake. In 2006, several years after the closure of the mine, a change in bylaws allowed all former Homestake employees to apply for membership. On February 6, 1906, the Homestake Veterans Association held its first regular meeting. Richard Blackstone was the first president, and the club counted 103 charter members. In 1920, the organization had 157 members, and that number continued to grow. New membership classes were added annually by the 1950s, as part of the Homestake Veterans Association’s annual meeting and banquet. By 2005, roughly 1,705 employees had belonged to the organization. In addition to fostering camaraderie among members, the Homestake Veterans Association contributed to a variety of community and social initiatives. The group’s first project was giving money to the Salvation Army to supply Christmas trees and gifts for local children in 1906. In 1914, the Homestake Veterans led the charge to erect a statue of Thomas Grier, former Homestake superintendent. The statue initially stood in front of the Homestake Recreation Center before it was moved to the Christ Episcopal Church. During World War I, the Veterans Association was one of the first groups in Lead to raise money for the Red Cross and the YMCA. The Veterans organized the Homestake Golden Jubilee Celebration in 1926, which drew large numbers of visitors to Lead. In later years, the organization has provided scholarships for local students. For its members, the Homestake Veterans Association provided additional benefits, including the Widows Benefit Fund. This fund, instituted in 1936, provided a financial safety net for widows and other beneficiaries of Homestake Veterans. Participation was optional. To join the fund, Veterans initially paid $1 and committed to paying $1 upon the death of each participating member. When a member died, the fund paid $100 to his or her beneficiary. Due to declining participation, the fund was disbanded in 1964.

Extent

3.91 Linear feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Homestake Veteran’s Association, founded in December 1905, is a fraternal organization made up of longtime Homestake Mining Company employees. This collection consists of organizational and administrative records of the Homestake Veterans Association created from 1905 to 1989. The bulk of the materials date from 1936 through 1975. The collection includes correspondence, financial records, minutes, newspaper clippings, yearbooks, and records of the Homestake Veterans Association Widows Benefit Fund.

Arrangement

Records in boxes 1-2 are arranged alphabetically by subject the financial records in boxes 3-4 are arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were transferred as a portion of one donation, accession number 2005.001, from the Homestake Mining Company on May 26, 2005.

Related Materials

Additional Homestake Veterans Association Yearbooks are available in the Adams Museum Collection.

Processing Information

This collection was processed November 2017-January 2018 by Jenna Himsl. Additional materials were processed and added to the collection June 2019 by Hannah Marshall Bawden.