American Committee for Devastated France Records, 1919-1926

Contents and Arrangement

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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 copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

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.

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