Finding Aid for the Telephone Pioneers of America

Title: Finding Aid for the Telephone Pioneers of America
extracted text: Telephone Pioneers of America- Council #38

Collection Summary
Title
Telephone Pioneers of America-Chapter #38 papers
Date
1919-1970
Extent
3 series, including 1 encapsulated oversize map
Name and Location of Repository
Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence (Mo.)
Reference code: MGC 1023-TPAP
Processed by: Nicole Pye, 2012; Finding aid created by Amy Luther, 2012

Name of Creator
Telephone Pioneers of America-Chapter #38
Administrative History
Telephone Pioneers of America was established in 1911 as an organization for employees of the
telephone industry. Members had to be veterans of the field, most councils required the employee to
have worked 21 years or longer. Original members were employed at companies such as American
Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) and Southwestern Bell Telephone System. Separate councils
were organized in cities that were telephone hubs, like Kansas City, Missouri.
By the 1950s, the Telephone Pioneers of America had shifted their focus towards community outreach
and service. Additionally members could join as soon as them became employed in the telephone
industry.
In the early 21st century, the organization’s name was changed to Telecom Pioneers to reflect the shift
from telephones to telecommunications. In 2009, the name once again changed to Pioneers.
Scope and Content
This collection contains historical documents pertaining to the telephone industry in Kansas City,
including: history, photographs, and a map. In addition, there are administrative materials and
newsletters from the Kansas City Long Lines Council-Charles S. Gleed Chapter. The newsletter titles are
Pioneer Smoke Signals and News Around 811. There are significant gaps for which no records exist from
1919-1934 and 1952-1967.

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Telephone Pioneers of America- Council #38

Collection Inventory
System of Arrangement
These records are arranged in three series.
Series 1, Historical Background
Folder 1, Autobiography of Harvey F. March, 1928-1953
Folder 2, Outline of plan to replace cables on 12th Street Bridge, 1940
Folder 3, Photographs of 12th Street Bridge cable replacement, 1940
Series 2, Kansas City Long Lines Council-Charles S. Gleed Chapter newsletters and administrative
materials
Folder 1, 1967
Folder 2, 1968
Folder 3, 1969-1970
Series 3, Telephone wire map, 1919 [oversize]

Rights and Access
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use by appointment.
Physical Access
All records within this collection are housed in file folders.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the Midwest Genealogy Center.
Languages and Scripts of the Material
Materials in the collection are entirely in English.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated by Wendell Olson.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected for this collection.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals owned by the Midwest Genealogy Center.
Notes
The following website was consulted during the preparation of the administrative history:
 Pioneers. “Mission.” Accessed December 28, 2012.
http://www.telecompioneers.org/aboutus/missionstatement/default.aspx

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Part of Finding Aid for the Telephone Pioneers of America - Chapter #38 Papers