Ida Weis Friend papers

Manuscripts Collection 287
Friend, Ida Weis, 1868-1963
papers, 1868-1963, n.d.
11 linear feet (18 manuscripts boxes)

Papers, club records, journals, clippings, and other documents pertaining to Ida Weis Friend, a New Orleans native active in civic and social affairs.

New Orleans-born Ida Weis Friend was active in civic and social affairs in New Orleans during the first half of the 20th-century. She founded and served as the first president of the New Orleans Hadassah in 1917. She also served as president of the New Orleans Consumers League, the Tulane Lyceum Association, the Voter's Registration League, New Orleans Traveler's Aid, the Public School President's Cooperative, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Urban League, the Dilbert Memorial Hospital, the New Orleans Home for the Incurables, and many others.

Friend received many local and national honors for her service. Among them were national awards by the American Red Cross (1946), the National Council of Jewish Women (1955), and the National Jewish Welfare Board (1959). Locally, she was chosen "Woman of the Year" by the Quota Club (1946), received the Times-Picayune Loving Cup (1946), and was honored by the New Orleans Urban League in 1960. Her husband was Joseph Friend of the firm Julius Weis & Co., cotton merchants.

Source of acquisition: Mrs. Julius Friend (daughter-in-law) donated the Ida Weis Friend papers to the Tulane Manuscripts Department.

Please cite this collection as follows:

Ida Weis Friend papers, Manuscripts Collection 287, Manuscripts Department, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans LA 70118
Other sources: Documenting the history of women in New Orleans, preserving the heritage of the New Orleans Jewish community, and documenting social welfare activities are all special commitments of the Tulane Manuscripts Department. The Tulane Manuscripts Department has extensive resources in each of these areas. Researchers are encouraged to consult our catalog or web site for further information.

Box-level Inventory

  1. Correspondence 1877-1939
  2. Correspondence 1940-1963
  3. Biographical material, including certificates (1868-1960, n.d.), photographs, literary manuscripts, reports, speeches, and list of offices held by Mrs. Friend
  4. Huey Long material, including Federation of Women's Club material (1916-1924); petitions, news releases, charters, reports and minutes of various organizations, bills receipts, statements, French Opera rebuilding committee material, Ida Weis Friendly news, Bunny Friend bookplate, lecture flyers.
  5. Invitations: 1876-1962, n.d.
  6. Programs: Lyceum Association., Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, Philharmonic Society, misc.
  7. Postcards, travel notes and itineraries, souvenirs, menus, bulletins, misc. printed material, map of 12th Ward New Orleans with a list of residents, autobiography of Julius Weis, copy of congratulatory address presented to Julius Weis.
  8. Journals, 1926-36
  9. Journals, 1937-44
  10. Journals, 1945-51
  11. Journals, 1952-54 and memorabilia (tickets, name cards, bookplates, political memorabilia, buttons, misc.)
  12. Journals 1955-1957, 1960 desk calendars, 1915-1952
  13. Address books, Public School alliance (1900-1914) Lyceum association notes (1920-21, 1925-26, 1927-28, 1928-29, 1934-35)
  14. Albums and notebooks
  15. Pamphlets and books
  16. Newspaper clippings
  17. Newspaper clippings
  18. Newspaper clippings
SCRAPBOOKS
  1. Album of testimonials presented to Ida Weis Friend by the State of Israel Bond Committee 1953.
  2. Scrapbook of newspaper clippings 1900-01
  3. Photograph Album containing pictures of India
  4. Album of poetry dedicated to Ida Weis Friend
  5. Mat for the Jewish Ledger (metal on Wood)
Special Collections Home Page

updatedMarch 3, 1996; lcm