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The Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Inc. (PPS Inc), is a member of the National
Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) and was founded on October 21,
1949, under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Folklore Society by Colonel Henry
W. Shoemaker and his sister. Colonel Henry W. Shoemaker (b. 1882, d. 1958) was
a diplomat, historian, author, and newspaper publisher who served as minister
of the United States to Bulgaria, 1930-1933; was chairman of the Pennsylvania
Historical Commission, 1923-1930; a member of the Pennsylvania Geographic Board,
1924-1930; director of the Pennsylvania State Archives, 1937-1948; and a folklorist
with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1948-1955. He was for
many years associated with the Altoona Times Tribune.
The National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. (NFSPS), was organized
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 17, 1959, by Mary B. Wall, after three years
of correspondence with poets all over the nation. The first convention was held
under the aegis of the Louisiana State Poetry Society. National officers were
elected, and the following statement was drawn up: "We are gathered together
today for a most high and serious purpose, namely, the formation of a federation
of state poetry societies, that shall serve to unite poets in bonds of fellowship
and understanding." When the NFSPS Constitution was adopted in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in June of 1960, this statement became the first statement of
"Article XII, Purpose: "Moreover we are aware of the national and international
problems arising from inability of persons and groups to adequately communicate
with each other, and of a self-imposed duty to lead the way. We recognize that
poets, wherever they may be, work for understanding by offering linguistic contexts
that appeal to the mind and spirit of man."
The NFSPS was incorporated in Madison, Wisconsin, in July of 1966, under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes. At that time two amendments were added to the Constitution: "The National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc., will not participate in a political campaign for or against any candidate for public office, or devote a substantial part of its activities to influencing legislation."
The National Federation of State Poetry Societies began with ten charter-member states (in this order):
Louisiana State Poetry Society
Poetry Society of Mississippi
Pennsylvania Poetry Society
Poetry Society of Virginia
Utah State Poetry Society
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets
First State Writers (Delaware)
Iowa State Poetry Society
Idaho State Poetry Society
Nevada Poetry Society
As of August 1, 2005, there were societies of members in thirty-six states.
These records consist of a chapbook collection arranged alphabetically by surname
of poet for the period 1960s to the 2000s. Copyright permission must be obtained
from the individual authors.
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