Series 59925
Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society Minute book
Dates: 1863-1874.
0.20 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Scope and Content
This volume contains the minutes of the proceedings of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society (D.A.M.S.). The Society was first chartered on January 17, 1856 by an act of the territorial legislature. Its purpose was to promote the arts of domestic industry and to encourage the production of articles from the native elements, primarily through the establishment of an annual exhibition of products. The minutes record administrative matters and planning issues for the annual "fairs". The minute book also includes the "Act of Incorporation" and "Bylaws" and other administrative and financial documents.
The act talks about holding an annual competition, giving awards, and publishing a list of winners. The society began with fifteen hundred dollars. The By-laws discuss the life-time membership dues of $10.00 and the regular membership fee of $2.00. It was the duty of the Secretary to keep records of the proceedings. After the Act of Incorporation and the By-laws, the volume continues with minutes, elections, expense bills, entries for exhibitions, financial exhibits, life-time memberships granted, lists of awards and premiums, etc.
The volume discusses the fair where there were awards given for field crops, vegetables, cattle, carriages, wagons, farming implements, machinery, leather findings, domestic dry goods, furniture, painting and engraving, hardware, ladies ornamental work, and produce. The book gives a listing of who the winners were in each category and the amount of prize money. It also contains expenses for the fair for 1869 and the balance. During the meetings members also discussed agricultural and home industry improvements such as the introduction of new Angora goats.
Arrangement
Minutes are chronological; the Act of Incorporation and By-laws preface the minutes. Listings are frequently continued on blank pages throughout the volume.
Research Note
The Deseret and Agricultural Manufacturing Society was renamed the State Fair Association in 1907. The State Fair Association then became the Division of Expositions until the fair was reconstituted as a private corporation, the Utah State Fairpark, in 1995. Thus the researcher may also wish to consult records in various repositories under those later agency names as well.
Related Records
Public documents serial set from the Secretary of State, Series 240, summarizes the activities of the agency after 1896.
Biennial reports from the Utah State Fair Association, Series 3370, summarize the activities of the agency after 1896.
Minutes from the Division of Expositions, Series 23071, contains minutes starting in 1906.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Gaps in Series
The volume mentions a preceding minute book A; the location of that volume is unknown.
Processing Note
This volume was microfilmed in 1970. Archival processing was completed by Christie L. Jacobs-Clayson in 1992.
Finding Aids
Other: There is a table of contents which gives a page by page description.
Indexing Terms
- Utah. Division of Expositions—Administration.
- Agricultural exhibitions—Utah.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.