A panoramic photograph of the Golden Jubilee - General Federation of Women's Clubs

Atlantic City, New Jersey: Central Studios, 1941. A three-and-a-half foot panoramic photograph taken at the Golden Jubilee Triennial of General Federation of Women's Clubs, which was held 19-24 May 1941 in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the Dennis Hotel. Although the organization celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its founding on April 24, 1940, it was decided to mark the occasion at their convention the following year. The program for this convention was "developed around two central ideas - a review of our past accomplishments and a forecast of the opportunities and responsibilities ahead" (from a "call to convention" letter). A "New York Times" article from May 19, 1941 reports: "Pageantry provided the highlight here tonight at the opening of the golden jubilee celebration of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Quaint bonnets and hoop skirts, lace mitts and Paisley shawls were prominent in the stately processional that opened the fiftieth annual meeting in Convention Hall, dedicated to the heroines and the pioneers of half a century of activity in the far-flung organization, now more than 2,000,000 strong." The Canadian pianist, composer and conductor, Gena Branscombe, worked for a year to create a concert program for the event and sent instructions to club choruses in advance. With only one rehearsal, the 1000 women chorus reportedly gave a stirring concert.

The General Federation of Women's Clubs was founded in 1890, although its history goes back to the Sorosis Club founded by journalist Jane Cunningham Croly in 1868. It currently includes 80,000 members across the United States who "work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding."

Original silver-gelatin photograph measuring 41 ½" x 10". An astute previous owner has identified and penned the names of approximately half a dozen attendees on the photograph. Small tears and pin holes to the margins with a 1" closed tear along the left edge; creasing in quite a few places; rolled.