Ireland Lyceum Constitution, By-Laws, and Regular Proceedings

1847-1849
1 vol. (0.25 linear feet)
Call no.: MS 481 bd
rotating decorative images from SCUA collections

Obscure in origin, the Ireland Lyceum appears to have been a fairly typical antebellum debating society, organized as an intellectually stimulating social activity for the benefit of its members. Meeting regularly, probably in the city of Holyoke, members formally debated a pre-assigned topic such as "Has America arrived at the zenith of her glory" (decided in the negative) or "are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness inalienable rights," after which the members might hear an address.



A mangled, fragmentary echo of its former self, the Constitution, by-laws, and regular proceedings of the Ireland Lyceum contains the slender records of a typical antebellum men's debating society. The volume was later used as a scrapbook with newspaper clippings covering the pages, however the clippings have been removed from the first several pages by a conservator, revealing some of the original content.

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Background on Ireland Lyceum

Obscure in origin, the Ireland Lyceum appears to have been a fairly typical antebellum debating society, organized as an intellectually stimulating social activity for the benefit of its members. Meeting regularly, probably in the city of Holyoke, members formally debated a pre-assigned topic such as "Has America arrived at the zenith of her glory" (decided in the negative) or "are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness inalienable rights," after which the members might hear an address.

Scope of collection

A mangled, fragmentary echo of its former self, the Constitution, by-laws, and regular proceedings of the Ireland Lyceum contains the slender records of a typical antebellum men's debating society. Although the location of the Lyceum is not specifically recorded, the names of members recorded in the volume suggest that it may have been located in or near the city of Holyoke. (e.g. Dr. Lawson Long, Lyman Thorp, Caleb Chapin, Augustine Ludington). The bulk of the volume was later used as a scrapbook with newspaper clippings covering the pages, however the clippings have been removed from the first several pages by a conservator, revealing some of the original content.

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Provenance unknown (2005-018).

Processing Information

Processed by I. Eliot Wentworth, Dec. 2015.

Language:

English

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: Ireland Lyceum Records (MS 481 bd). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

  • Debates and debating--Societies, etc. --Massachusetts--Holyoke
  • Holyoke (Mass.)--History--19th century
  • Lyceums--Massachusetts--Holyoke

Genres and formats

  • Scrapbooks

Link to similar SCUA collections