United Stamp Societies (Organized 1919)

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History
New England has long been known as one of the most active philatelic areas in the United States. Throughout the region there are literally dozens of stamp clubs and societies. Many of these groups sponsor their own shows, which range from small one day exhibitions and bourses to the former three day Boston Show (co-sponsored by the Boston Philatelic Society and the ASDA).

In the autumn of 1977, James T. De Voss, Executive Secretary of the American Philatelic Society, met informally with a number of area stamp collectors to present the idea of forming a federation of stamp clubs in the northeastern part of the country. A steering committee consisting of six members from various stamp clubs was formed. This steering committee met several times during that year, and delegates from throughout New England attended the two organizational meetings.

The second of these organizational meetings was held at the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum (now the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History) in Weston, Massachusetts. At that meeting, 33 delegates adopted a set of bylaws and, most importantly, a name: The Northeastern Federation of Stamp Clubs.

Immediately after the "birth" of the Federation, the following slate of officers was elected: Arthur B. Lohan, president; Thomas G. Barrett, vice president; Mrs. Katherine M. MacIsaac, secretary; and Hugh J. McMackin, treasurer. Also elected was aboard of directors that included, in addition to the officers, Gilbert P. Bemis, Fotios Drakos, Lester Goverman, Herbert Keough, George Norton, and Tony Paonessa.

The first meeting of the Federation was held at Boston Show 78, and a number of suggestions for activities were discussed. In the fall of 1978 the Federation accepted the role of host group for the 1979 American Philatelic Society Stampshow and Mrs. Katherine M. MacIsaac accepted the position of general chairman of the convention/exhibition.