Skip to main content

International Platform Association records

 Collection
Identifier: MS2273

Scope and Contents

This collection contains office correspondence, publications of the International Lyceum Association and the International Platform Association, convention photographs, convention audiotape cassettes, and convention videotape cassettes. The material dates from 1904-2001. In addition to general correspondence, publications, photographs, and audiovisual material, the collection also contains files that were maintained by Dan Tyler Moore, Jr. and Jean Schaeffer.

Dates

  • 1904-2001
  • Majority of material found within 1940 - 1990

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

The International Platform Association was an organization that functioned between 1831 and 2001. The organization began as the American Lyceum Association, and served as a means for people to debate and voice their oppinions in a public setting. In the early years that followed, organizations all across the country began establishing their own lyceums; by 1834, there were several thousand. The Chautauqua Movement grew out of the American Lyceum Association. This was established at Lake Chautauqua, New York, and offered adult education in both science and the humanities. Thousands of people came to sessions to hear lectures made by eminent politicians, artists, and scientists. In 1902, the International Lyceum Association was established and existed until 2001. The association organized to "dedicate itself to the improvement of the lecture, concert, and entertainment fields, to maintain the highest standard of presentations, to increase the welfare of those engaged therein, and to foster and develop goodwill and fellowship among its members." The organization changed its name to the International Platform Association in 1947.

Extent

50.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The International Platform Association was an organization that functioned between 1831 and 2001. The organization began as the American Lyceum Association, and served as a means for people to debate and voice their oppinions in a public setting. In the early years that followed, organizations all across the country began establishing their own lyceums; by 1834, there were several thousand. Thousands of people came to sessions to hear lectures made by eminent politicians, artists, and scientists. This collection contains office correspondence, publications of International Lyceum Association and International Platform Association, convention photographs, convention audiotape cassettes, convention videotape cassettes.

Arrangement

Organized into 7 series: Governance, 1930-1990, Correspondence, 1940-1992, Publications, 1904-1978, Dan Moore's files, 1950-1960, Jean Schaeffer's files, 1978-1992, Photographs, 1962-1986, and Audiovisual, 1977-2001.

Physical Location

Materials are stored off-site, and will require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the International Platform Association/Mark Rhoades, 2009 (Accession 2009.036)

Title
Guide to the International Platform Association records, 1904-2001
Status
In Progress
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America