Guide to the Athenaean Society Records, 1817-1887
No restrictions.
Athenaean Society: Records, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
Begun as a rival to the Peucinian Society in 1808, the Athenaean Society was said to have been founded by a disgruntled Peucinian who did not graduate. The literary and debating society was disbanded in 1811, revived in 1813, disbanded again in 1816 and revived again in 1817. An intense rivalry existed between the Athenaean and Peucinian Societies. Unlike the Peucinian Society, the Athenaean Society initiated freshmen in order to attract the youngest students and initiate them before they could be recruited by the Peucinian Society. This policy forced the Peucinian Society to admit freshmen as well. The Athenaean Society was the first to form its own library with books purchased from dues paid by inducted members. The rise of Greek letter fraternities at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century spelled the end for the literary societies. After a period of relative dormancy, the libraries of the Athenaean and Peucinian Societies were merged in 1880. Two attempts to revive the society failed. In 1886, the Athenaean Society was granted a bequest of $1000 by Samuel Hazen Ayer, class of 1839. Since the society ostensibly had ceased to exist, the bequest formed a book fund. The Athenaean Society had an annex scientific society, Phi Alpha.
This collection contains records of the Athenaean Society of Bowdoin College. Catalogues of books in the Athenaean Society library, meeting minutes, and financial records are included.
Athenaean Society n.d., 1817-1841
Athenaean Society 1842-1866, 1887
Athenaean Society Account Book ca. 1840-1850
Athenaean Society Catalogue of the Library, 1822
Athenaean Society Catalogue of Books
Athenaean Society Catalogue [of Books] 1838 [interleaved and annotated through 1849]
Athenaean Society Catalogue [of Books] ca. 1850-
Athenaean Society Catalogue of Books Volume 1
Athenaean Society Catalogue of Books Volume 2
Athenaean Society Catalogues 1838-1861
Athenaean Society Check Book
Athenaean Society Gift Accession Book 1839-1851
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1837-1839
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1841
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1841-1847
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1848
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1849
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1849-1851
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1850
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1851-1852
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1852-1854
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1856
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1856-1857
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1857-1858
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1858
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1858-1859 Part 1
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1858-1859 Part 2
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1859 Part 1
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1859 Part 2
Athenaean Society Librarian's Book 1860
Athenaean Society Library and Catalog
Athenaean Society Library Catalog A-L before 1880
Athenaean Society Library Catalog M-Z before 1880
Athenaean Society Library Records 1841-1843
Athenaean Society Library Records 1842
Athenaean Society Library Records 1843-1846
Athenaean Society Library Records 1844-1847, 1863
Athenaean Society Library Records 1852
Athenaean Society Library Records 1870-1876
Athenaean Society Library Records 1873-1877
Athenaean Society Loan Records 1848-1850
Athenaean Society Loan Records 1859-1861
Athenaean Society medals
Athenaean Society reading room sign
Athenaean Society Record Book 1840-1848
Athenaean Society Record Book 1853-1875
Athenaean Society Records 1836-1840
Athenaean Society Records 1848-1853
Athenaean Society Records and Constitution 1820-1887
Athenaean Society Standing Committee Records 1825-1841
Athenaean Society Standing Committee Records 1841-1842
Athenaean Society Treasurer Book 1837-1840
Athenaean Society Treasurer Book 1842-1849
Athenaean Society Treasurer Book 1857-1874
Book of donations to the Athenaean Society February 1836
Catalogue of the Athenaean Library 1830 Sep
Catalogue of the Athenaean Library 1836- 1839
Catalogue of the Athenaean Society 1838- 1861
Catalogue of the Athenaean Society 1838
Catalogue of the Athenaean Society 1853
Constitution of the Athenaean Society 1848-1874