Mary Atwater Kelsey
Mary Atwater Kelsey | |
|---|---|
 Mary Atwater Kelsey, from a 1915 publication | |
| Born | Mary A. Atwater February 6, 1860 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Died | August 24, 1915 (aged 55) Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Occupation | Clubwoman |
| Known for | President of the National Federation of Music Clubs |
Mary Atwater Kelsey (February 6, 1860 – August 24, 1915), usually known socially as Mrs. Charles B. Kelsey, was an American clubwoman. She served two terms as president of the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Early life[edit]
Mary Atwater was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Luman R. Atwater and Ann Farnsworth Atwater. Her father was a businessman.[1]
Career[edit]
Kelsey was a church organist in Grand Rapids.[2] From 1898 to 1902 she was president of the St. Cecilia Society of Grand Rapids, which she helped to organize in 1883.[3][4] She welcomed the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) to Grand Rapids in 1899.[5][6] She was also chair of the Civic Music Committee of Grand Rapids.[4] She took particular interest in bringing musical performances to disadvantaged audiences, including disabled veterans, prisoners, orphans, factory workers, and residents of the local "poor farm".[7]
Kelsey was president of the National Federal of Music Clubs (NFMC) for two terms, elected in 1907, and re-elected in 1909. During her presidency, the number of local clubs doubled, and a vice president was appointed for each state;[7] the NFMC also established prizes for living American composers.[8] After her active presidency, she attended British meetings of music clubs representing the NFMC.[7][9]
Personal life[edit]
Mary Atwater married banker Charles Bert Kelsey in 1888.[10] They had a daughter, Ann, born in 1897. She died in 1915, in Grand Rapids, five weeks after suffering a stroke in San Francisco,[2] where she was visiting the Panama–Pacific International Exposition with her daughter. She was 55 years old.[1][3] Her music library was donated to the Grand Rapids Public Library.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Hundreds Mourn Death of Grand Rapids' Greatest Patron of Music". The Musical Monitor. 5 (1): 30. September 1915.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Kelsey Passes Away". Musical Courier. 71 (9): 21. September 2, 1915 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Farwell, Arthur. "Mrs. Kelsey's Death Great Musical Loss" Musical America (September 4, 1915): 19.
- ^ a b "In Memory of Mrs. Charles B. Kelsey". The Musical Monitor. 5 (2): 89. October 1915.
- ^ Anthony, Susan B.; Harper, Ida Husted (1902). The History of Woman Suffrage. p. 323.
- ^ "Programme of the Thirty-First Annual Convention". National Suffrage Bulletin. 4 (7): 2. March 1899.
- ^ a b c "What One Woman Has Done for Music in United States". Musical America. 14 (3): 9. May 27, 1911 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Federation Prizes for U. S. Composers". Musical America. 10 (2): 1. May 22, 1909 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Federation... Through the Years". Music Clubs Magazine. 39 (3): 8–9. January–February 1960 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Mrs. Charles Kelsey, Noted Musician, Dies at Grand Rapids Home". Lansing State Journal. August 24, 1915. p. 29. Retrieved June 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Notes from the Field". Michigan Library Bulletin. 8 (2): 29. March–April 1917.