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Old Town Merchants and Manufacturers Association Records, 1884-1980 MS. 2652
Old Town Merchants and Manufacturers Association Records, 1884-1980
Maryland Historical
Society
(Text converted and initial EAD tagging
provided by Apex Data Services, March 1999.)
Old Town Merchants and Manufacturers Association Records, 1884-1980 Contact Information:
Maryland Historical Society
Manuscripts Department
Maryland Historical Society Library
201 West Monument Street
Baltimore MD 21201-4674
410.685.3750
Fax: 410.385.2105
library@mdhs.org
www.mdhs.org
Descriptive Summary
OLD TOWN MERCHANTS AND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION RECORDS
MS. 2652
Maryland Historical Society
Baltimore MD 21201-4674
Scope and
Content
The Old Town Merchants and Manufacturers Association (OTMMA) was formed in 1883 to promote the interests of wholesale and retail merchants located in the Old Town area of East Baltimore, Md. It was disbanded in the early 1980's, ending a century of social and civic-oriented activities. Through proposals to the City Council, letters to state and local government officials, and contributions to charities and civic organizations the members of OTMMA fought to prevent the economic stagnation of Old Town. Members of the Association included individuals as well as businesses, ranging in prominence from Gov. Theodore McKeldin to department stores to shoe repair shops. It is possible to trace the financial climate of the 1930's through the 1960's in Old Town, as members give notice of relocations, bankruptcies, and deaths. The OTMMA collection is strongest in its representation of a variety of urban problems common in large cities between the 1930's and 1960's. These include abandoned housing, sanitary conditions, shoplifting, juvenile delinquency, taxation, and transportation problems such as parking, road repair, and bus service occasionally. Finally, the Depression and World War II were the two landmark events of this period for the OTMMA, and members responses are revealed through correspondence, the minutes, and in their charitable contributions. The OTMMA as a social organization is also well-represented. Meetings involved refreshments, films, and presentations as well as discussions about pressing concerns. The Annual Banquet consistently produced a modest profit and was well-attended by Baltimore's business leaders. Finally, the Annual Outing was an opportunity for travel with no other purpose than cameraderie. This collection spans the years 1884-1981, with the bulk of material falling between 1930 and 1960. Type of records include minutes, cash books and ledgers, bank statements, membership cards, correspondence, reports, bills, and receipts. The Association's minutes provide the most comprehensive look of OTMMA's activities, with reports on business-related problems, membership updates, presentations given during meetings, and planned social activities. Financial records such as the ledgers, cash books, bills, and receipts show income from membership dues, savings account interest, and banquet profits; disbursements include officers' salaries, charitable contributions, and meeting expenses. Correspondence (1933-1962) includes letters to and from the Maryland House of Delegates, the Maryland Senate, the Baltimore City Council, and various mayors, as well as organizations with similar goals as the OTMMA. by Susan Weinandy Nov. 1986
Container
List
Box 1 Constitution and by-laws, 1933 Minute book cover page, 1933 Minutes, 1942-1950 Minute book, 1950-1967 Ledger book “A”, membership dues, 1884-1888 Ledger book “B”, membership dues, 1888-1901 Box 2 Ledgerbook “C”, membership dues, 1901-1915 Ledgerbook “D”, membership dues, 1913-1923 Index to ledgerbook “D”, 1913-1923 Box 3 Cashbook, receipts, 1912-1924 Cashbook, receipts, 1925-1931 Cashbook, receipts, 1932-1977 Cashbook, receipts and disbursements, 1935-1948 Cashbook, receipts and disbursements, 1949-1957 Voucher stubs, 1910-1916 Box 4 Voucher stubs, 1925-1948 Check stubs, 1940-1942 Check stubs, 1942-1952 Box 5 Check stubs, 1952-1979 Cancelled checks, 1935-1936; 1957-1964 Cancelled checks, 1965-1979 Savings account statements, 1967; 1970-1975 Checking account statements, 1976-1980 Bank deposit books and electronic code cards, 1929-1933; 1940-1981 Bank deposit tickets, 1957-1977 Directory of the Mutual Savings Bank of the United States, 1927 Income tax forms, 1968-1974 Financial Committee reports, 1933-1943; 1957 Financial correspondence, 1933-1941 Bills and receipts, meeting services, 1934-1943 Box 6 Bills and receipts, florists, 1933-1940; 1956 Bills and receipts, printers, 1932-1967 Bills and receipts, miscellaneous, 1932-1940 Bills and receipts, miscellaneous, 1940-1974 Membership cards, inactive, A-I, 1941-1978 Membership cards, inactive J-Y, 1941-1978 Membership cards, sustaining fund, inactive, 1942-1969 Membership cards, active, 1969-1978 Box 7 Membership applications, 1933-1969 Membership due bills, 1934-1975 Membership lists, 1910; 1931-1976 Correspondence, membership status, 1933-1973; n.d. Correspondence, general, 1933-1962, n.d. Nominating Committee and Lists of Officers, 1936; 1942-1958; n.d. Reports and Resolutions, 1934-1958 Notices of meetings and events, 1941-1954; 1957-1963; n.d. Annual banquets, 1934-1960; n.d. Seventy-first Annual Banquet, 1954 Seventy-third Annual Banquet, 1956 Seventy-fourth Annual Banquet, 1957 Membership in other organizations, 1933-1954; n.d. Death Notices, 1961-1977; n.d.
