- Collection Overview
- Collection Description & Creator Information
- Access & Use
- Collection History
- Find Related Materials
Expanded View
Collection Overview
- Creator:
- American Committee for Devastated France
- Title:
- American Committee for Devastated France Records
- Repository:
- Public Policy Papers
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/9w032301c
- Dates:
- 1919-1926
- Size:
- 2 boxes, 1 folder, and 2 items
- Storage Note:
- Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-2
- Language:
- English
Abstract
The American Committee for Devastated France collection contains the annual reports, promotional pamphlets and minutes of this post-World War I relief organization. Newspaper clippings and routine correspondence between the group's treasurer and other staff members are also included in the collection.
Collection Description & Creator Information
- Scope and Contents
The collection contains annual reports, minutes, records of account, promotional pamphlets and several news clippings praising the work of the ACDF. A report by an unknown author chronicles the establishment of École de Scoutisme, and recommends facilitating "the scout movement of France." Approximately half of the collection consists of the correspondence (1920-1926) of ACDF treasurer Alexander C. Humphreys. The letters and telegrams document exchanges between Humphreys and several members of the Executive Committee (especially Chairman Anne Morgan) on funds allocation. The correspondence also includes donor acknowledgments and routine messages regarding meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. Several letters contain hand-written calculations.
- Arrangement
The papers in this collection are arranged chronologically.
- Collection Creator Biography:
American Committee for Devastated France
The American Committee for Devastated France (ACDF) had its origins in the Civilian Division of the American Fund for French Wounded (est. 1916) and was organized in 1918 to provide emergency relief and restoration aid to the citizens of post-World War I France. Its original stated purpose was to establish a community center which would determine the needs of French citizens, and act as a liaison between them and American relief workers. The group was also to "further understanding and friendship between France and the United States."
The ACDF, staffed primarily by American women of a professional background, set out first to provide basic necessities: food, clothing, shelter and day care. Beginning in 1919, it concentrated on more constructive aid, such as vocational, educational, and physical training, providing farm equipment, housing and building restoration, public health facilities, libraries and scouting camps. The organization collected nearly five million dollars from over one million U.S. donors and members through canvassing and fund-raising benefits. ACDF received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of French Reconnaissance (1920).
In March 1924, ACDF announced that it had completed its work and officially disbanded. All assets were liquidated and remitted to French organizations to carry on projects begun by ACDF, such as the Camp-École de Scoutisme and the Comité Francais de la Bibliothéque Moderne.
Collection History
- Acquisition:
Princeton University Library purchased the Tournament for the Benefit of Devstated France -- Par Auction Score Card in 2012. The associated accession number is ML.2012.015.
The oversize certificate of appreciation was donated by Jim Poole in 2015 (accession number ML.2015.005) and the medal was donated by Mr. Poole in 2017 (accession number ML.2017.006).
- Appraisal
No information about appraisal is available for this collection.
- Processing Information
This collection was processed by Laura E. Burt in 1994. Finding aid written by Laura E. Burt in 1994.
Access & Use
- Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
- Conditions Governing Use
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. For quotations that are fair use as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission to cite or publish is required. For those few instances beyond fair use, researchers are responsible for determining who may hold the copyright and obtaining approval from them. Researchers do not need anything further from the Mudd Library to move forward with their use.
- Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
- Credit this material:
American Committee for Devastated France Records; Public Policy Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/9w032301c
- Location:
-
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library65 Olden StreetPrinceton, NJ 08540, USA
- Storage Note:
- Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-2
Find More
- Subject Terms:
- Nonprofit organizations -- United States -- 20th century.
War relief -- France -- 20th century.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Civilian relief -- France.
World war, 1914-1918 -- War work -- France.
World war, 1914-1918 -- War work -- United States. - Genre Terms:
- Correspondence.
Reports. - Places:
- France -- Relations -- United States -- 20th century.
United States -- Relations -- France -- 20th century.
