Salmagundi Club Records, 1962-2004

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator: Salmagundi Club

Title: Records, 1962-2004

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection: 0.33 cubic feet

Locator Number: Mss. BP S171

Scope and Content Note

Records consist primarily of membership documents, including membership lists, nominee lists and ballots, and hosting schedules for monthly club meetings. Correspondence documents Salmagundi’s participation in the centennial celebration of Louisville’s Olmsted parks, including the club’s donation of funds for parks signage. Other correspondence relates to Grady Clay’s Louisville Encyclopedia entry on Salmagundi. Of particular interest are two club histories written by member Alexander Booth, one of which includes list of founding members, original constitution and a comprehensive listing of hosting schedules and topics presented from 1912-1982.

Historical Note

Founded in 1879 in Louisville, Kentucky, the Salmagundi club was an all-male social and literary devoted to conversation and the exchange of ideas. The club’s constitution restricted membership to 24, with new members nominated by club members and elected by secret ballot. Members rotated responsibility for hosting meetings at which the host presented an essay on the topic of his choice. Topics ranged from parks, to business practices to literature. As members of Louisville’s elite, Salmagundians possessed the resources to put ideas they explored into practice. In 1887, Salmagundi joined with the Commercial Club of Louisville and was instrumental in creating the legislation that established the Louisville parks system.

Folder List

Folder 1: Membership Documents 1962-1990 (49 items)

Folder 2: Membership Documents 1991-2004 (88 items)

Folder 3: Salmagundi Histories (27items)

Folder 4: Salmagundi and Louisville Parks System (82 items)

Folder 5: Salmagundi Entry in Louisville Encyclopedia (26 items)

Folder 6: Salmagundi Essays (99 items)

Folder 7: Miscellaneous (21 items)

Subject Headings

Clay, Grady

Clubs – Kentucky – Louisville

Parks – Kentucky – Louisville

Salmagundi Club