Eastland Disaster Historical Society records

Collection

Identifier: Midwest-MS-EDHS

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Various historical records pertaining to the Eastland Disaster (1915), including a ledger of employees from the Western Electric Co., a list of relatives employed after the disaster, four memorial cards of victims, and photographs and postcards (both real photo postcards and art cards) relating to the company, the ship, Chicago, and the disaster.

Dates

Creation: 1900-1946
Event: Majority of material found in 1915

Creator

Eastland Disaster Historical Society (Organization)

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unprocessed and is available by appointment only. Please contact reference@newberry.org at least 5 business days in advance to request an appointment.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (1 volume, 3 boxes and 2 oversize folders)

Additional Description

Abstract

Historical records and data pertaining to the Eastland Disaster (1915), assembled by the Eastland Disaster Historical Society (EDHS), which was founded in 1998 by Susan Decker and Barbara Decker Wachholz, granddaughters of an Eastland survivor.

Records include documents from the Western Electric Company and the American Red Cross. Also includes numerous photographs and postcards donated by to the EDHS from collectors and descendants of survivors and others affected by the disaster.