Scope and Content Note
The records of the Veg Society of DC (VSDC) span the years 1862-2022, with the bulk of the material dating from 1990 to 2010. The collection documents the organization's history as the oldest continuously operating vegetarian society in North America, as well as its activities promoting an all-plant based and vegan lifestyle in the Washington, D.C., area. The collection is organized into three series: Office Files, Programs and Events, and Printed Matter.
The collection focuses primarily on the history of VSDC and its commitment to growing and sustaining a vegetarian and vegan community in D.C. The material meticulously documents board activities and other administrative concerns, including strategic planning and financial considerations. It is especially rich in content pertaining to the organization’s various educational programs and events, especially the Eat Smart Program, annual Thanksgiving dinners, VegFest DC celebrations, VSDC GreenRewards Discount Program, and the seventy-fifth anniversary exhibit. These papers lend insight into the ways VSDC prioritized community outreach as well as the vast network of medical professionals, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations that supported their mission and programming. A small amount of material traces the broader history of the vegetarian and vegan movement in the United States back to the nineteenth century.
The collection’s series are listed and briefly described below. A fuller description of each series and a list of its contents can be accessed in the series descriptions within the container list.
The Office Files series documents the administrative, business, and financial aspects of VSDC.
The Programs and Events series documents outreach initiatives, educational programs, festivals, and other social events implemented by VSDC.
The Printed Matter is comprised of VSDC publications and educational material about veganism.