Corporate body

Lewis Society of Detroit

1919-1972

The Lewis Society of Detroit, USA, was founded in approximately 1919 to enable those with connections with the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, who were living in Detroit to meet together for social events and to “foster and preserve the language, traditions, customs and amusements of the people.” There had been meetings of the Society before 1919. There is a subscription log book dated 1919 but no minute book for meetings before 1923. The Society met once a month, sometimes at their respective homes or in town halls etc. They elected a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary to deal with Society business. They also elected a piper(s) and bard to provide entertainment through poetry and piping at their functions and gatherings.
Members were expected to pay a subscription to the Society of $1.
A committee organised an annual picnic which was held which included races and competitions for children.
An entertainment committee was established within the Society which dealt with organising social and entertainment events. Food and drink were provided at these events and a raffle was often held. Movie nights and picture nights were also organised.
There had been meetings of the Society before 1919. There is a subscription log book dated 1919 but no minute book for meetings before 1923.
The Society appears to have corresponded with other Lewis and Harris Associations. Evidence of correspondence with the Glasgow group is noted at a meeting of the Society. At the last noted meeting, March 1972, it is stated that meetings were to be suspended until October 1972. It appears that the society was wound up at this time.

Detroit, Michigan, USA
Isle of Lewis, Scotland

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