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Atlanta Dogwood Festival records of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS718

Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence, clippings, financial records, and programs that provide a history of the festival. Additional material provides details of events, performances, and pageant contests. Of special interest is a scrapbook providing images of parade floats and participants.

Dates

  • 1936-1988

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival began in 1936 to celebrate springtime in Atlanta, Georgia, through the arts. The festival was organized by Mayor James L. Key, a board led by president and chairman Walter K. Rich, and Atlanta garden clubs. The week long festival included three operas performed by the Metropolitan Opera, a parade, dance events, art exhibits, and music concerts. Garden clubs sponsored and promoted the planting of dogwood trees to beautify the city. The annual festival continued until 1941 when it was suspended due to World War II. In 1950 the Women's Chamber of Commerce became involved in the festival and in 1968 the organization was granted permission to fully produce and coordinate the festival. The same year, the festival was revitalized and expanded to include the opening of Underground Atlanta, a sculpture competition, and lighted Dogwood trails. Piedmont Park hosted many of the events. Other events in the 1980s included a fashion show, beauty pageant, and balloon race. Additional events have been added to the annual festival to attract more tourists to the city, encourage community pride, as well as promote the planting of dogwood trees. The festival is overseen by a board of directors, including chair, vice chair, and treasurer.

Extent

5.004 linear ft. (12 document cases and one audio recording)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically within each year according to titles supplied by staff.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

The audio recording on 45 rpm disc can be made accessible only through conversion to digital audio. Patrons who request access to audio content in this collection are responsible for digital conversion cost.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1988, with subsequent additions

Description Control

This collection was reprocessed in 2017.

Title
Atlanta Dogwood Festival records of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta
Author
Jennie Oldfield
Date
August 2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040