American Committee for Devastated France

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The American Committee for Devastated France (ACDF) had its origins in the Civilian Division of the American Fund for French Wounded (est. 1916) and was organized in 1918 to provide emergency relief and restoration aid to the citizens of post-World War I France. Its original stated purpose was to establish a community center which would determine the needs of French citizens, and act as a liaison between them and American relief workers. The group was also to “further understanding and friendship between France and the United States.”

The ACDF, staffed primarily by American women of a professional background, set out first to provide basic necessities: food, clothing, shelter and day care. Beginning in 1919, it concentrated on more constructive aid, such as vocational, educational, and physical training, providing farm equipment, housing and building restoration, public health facilities, libraries and scouting camps. The organization collected nearly five million dollars from over one million U.S. donors and members through canvassing and fund-raising benefits. ACDF received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of French Reconnaissance (1920).

In March 1924, ACDF announced that it had completed its work and officially disbanded. All assets were liquidated and remitted to French organizations to carry on projects begun by ACDF, such as the Camp-École de Scoutisme and the Comité Francais de la Bibliothéque Moderne.

From the guide to the American Committee for Devastated France Records, 1919-1926, (Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn McDonnell, Anna Lander West, 1876-1966. Anna Lander West McDonnell papers, 1849-1964. University of Nevada, Reno, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
referencedIn Webster, Henry Kitchell, 1875-1932. Henry Kitchell Webster papers, 1880-1932, bulk 1900-1932. Newberry Library
referencedIn Postlethwaite family. Postlethwaite family papers, ca. 1778-1938 (bulk 1806-1838). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf American Committee for Devastated France Records, 1919-1926 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Public Policy Papers.
referencedIn Vaux, Constance Johnson. Papers, 1923, 1946. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Moore, Anne Carroll, 1871-1961. Anne Carroll Moore papers, 1898-1960, bulk (1920-1960). Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Jenkins, Mamie Elizabeth, d. 1957. Papers, 1920-1935. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn American Fund for French Wounded. Madison Branch (Wis.). Records, 1915-1919. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Zimand, Gertrude Folks, 1894-1966. Gertrude Folks Zimand and Savel Zimand papers, 1911-1958. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf American Committee for Devastated France. [Letters from France, [microform] By Anne M. Dike, chairman of the committee, and others; for circulation among individuals and committees. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Zimand, Gertrude Folks, 1894-1966. Papers, 1917-[ca. 1966] Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Watkins, M. F. Photograph album, 1918. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Anne Carroll Moore papers, 1898-1960, 1920-1960 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Bartol, John G.,. Scrapbook, [ca. 1920-1925]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Cunningham, Sarah Alexander, 1887-1976. Sarah Alexander Cunningham collection, 1803-1939. Georgia Historical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Fund for French Wounded. Madison Branch (Wis.) corporateBody
associatedWith Cunningham, Sarah Alexander, 1887-1976. person
associatedWith Dike, Anna M. person
associatedWith Jenkins, Mamie Elizabeth, d. 1957. person
associatedWith McDonnell, Anna Lander West, 1876-1966. person
associatedWith Moore, Anne Carroll, 1871-1961. person
associatedWith Postlethwaite family. family
associatedWith Vaux, Constance Johnson. person
associatedWith Watkins, M. F. person
associatedWith Webster, Henry Kitchell, 1875-1932. person
associatedWith Zimand, Gertrude Folks, 1894-1966. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
France
United States
Subject
American history/20th century
European history
Nonprofit organizations
War relief, France
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War I
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1898

Active 1960

French

Information

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