Arm of Honor records
04.AOH

Summary Information

Repository
Eastern Michigan University Archives
Title
Arm of Honor records
ID
04.AOH
Date [inclusive]
1895-2010
Extent
7.2 Linear feet 3 archive boxes, 1 flat file, 3 flat boxes
Language
English
Abstract
Arm of Honor is the oldest active local fraternity in the United States, and was founded at Michigan State Normal College in 1895. Its original stated purpose was to "foster in its members the ability to think, to think extemporaneously," (Putnam, Daniel . "A History of the Michigan State Normal School (now Normal College) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899." (1899).  Books and Monographs. Book 5.) Today Arm of Honor states its purpose as "to promote the highest level of education, social and athletic achievement, as well as promoting the values of brotherhood and loyalty, (from the Arm of Honor student organization web site, 2009). The  Arm of Honor records include materials from the fraternity since its founding. The types of materials include operational records such as constitutions and meeting minutes, programs and invitations from events and activities, memorabilia and scrapbooks.

Preferred Citation note

Please cite materials from the University Archives in the following manner: Item. Collection Title. Eastern Michigan University Archives.

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Administrative History

Arm of Honor is the oldest active local fraternity in the United States, and was founded at Michigan State Normal College in 1895. Its original stated purpose was to "foster in its members the ability to think, to think extemporaneously," (Putnam, Daniel . "A History of the Michigan State Normal School (now Normal College) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899." (1899).  Books and Monographs. Book 5.) Today Arm of Honor states its purpose as "to promote the highest level of education, social and athletic achievement, as well as promoting the values of brotherhood and loyalty, (from the Arm of Honor student organization web site, 2009).

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Scope and Contents

The Arm of Honor records include materials from the oldest local fraternity in the United States, founded at Michigan State Normal College in 1895. The fraternity is still active at Eastern Michigan University. The types of materials include operational records such as constitutions and meeting minutes, programs and invitations from events and activities, memorabilia and scrapbooks. The  Arm of Honor records have been divided into three series:  Administration and History,  Events and Activities, and  Memorabilia. The Administration and History series includes materials relating to the founding and operations of the Arm of Honor fraternity, including a constitution, membership and alumni lists, correspondence, and meeting minutes. The Events and Activities series includes materials produced in relation to Arm of Honor fraternity events, including banquets and dances, and alumni events. Also included in this series are two scrapbooks, dated from 1895 to 1919 and 1968 to 1981. The Memorabilia series includes Arm of Honor items, such as paddles, a matchbook, and a goblet.

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Arrangement of Materials

The Arm of Honor records have been divided into three series:  Administration and History,  Events and Activities, and  Memorabilia. The Administration and History series includes materials relating to the founding and operations of the Arm of Honor fraternity, including a constitution, membership and alumni lists, correspondence, and meeting minutes. The Events and Activities series includes materials produced in relation to Arm of Honor fraternity events, including banquets and dances, and alumni events. Also included in this series are two scrapbooks, dated from 1895 to 1919 and 1968 to 1981. The Memorabilia series includes Arm of Honor items, such as paddles, a matchbook, and a goblet.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Eastern Michigan University Archives 2012 January 12

Halle Library, Room 310
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
734-487-0020

Revision Description

  2012 April 9

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for research. Researchers are asked to request materials at least 24 hours prior to use through the University Archives.

Custodial History note

Some of the Arm of Honor paddles were displayed in Mellencamp's store in downtown Ypsilanti. These paddles were donated by Ken Barna, an Arm of Honor member and Eastern Michigan University alumni.

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Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

  • Barna, Ken

Subject(s)

  • College fraternities
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Fraternities
  • Michigan State Normal College
  • Universities and colleges--Alumni and alumnae--Michigan

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Collection Inventory

Administration and History 1895-2005 

Scope and Contents

This box includes Alumni Directories, meeting minutes, correspondence, clippings, and guest book.

Constitution 1948 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766686)   1 1

Office of Campus Life records 1998 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766686)   1 2

Memberships Lists 1935-1940 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766686)   1 3

Alumni directories 1963-1977 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307024766686)   1 4

Newsletters 1964-1993 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766686)   1 5

Correspondence 1895-2005 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766686)   1 6

Correspondence, Postcards 1976-1977 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766686)   1 7

Clippings 1970-2005 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766686)   1 8

Meeting minutes 1913-1970 

 1913-1918 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766686)   1 9

 1919-1920 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766686)   1 10

 1926-1929 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766884)   2 1

 1940-1943 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766884)   2 2

 1951-1955 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766884)   2 3

 1955-1960 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024766884)   2 4

Box

 1965-1970 

 4

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Events and Activities 1908-2010 

Scope and Contents

This box includes meeting minutes from 1913-1970.

Annual banquet guest book 1948-1961 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766884)   2 5

Programs and invitations 1908-2010 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766884)   2 6

Scrapbooks 
Box

 1895-1919 

 5

 1968-1981 

 6

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Memorabilia 

Arm of Honor match book 


    Box Folder
Mixed Materials (32307024766884)   2 7

Box

Ball of Honor glass goblet 1963 

 3
FlatFile

Scum Borovich/ Sup.Goodsman paddle 1938 

 5C

Spring Dinner Dance paddle 1965 

 5C

Mellencamp's paddle 1965 

 5C

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