The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-27
Il SUCCESSFUL ROMANS CLUE.
Grand Rapids Has such an Organization
What IL Does

From N, CHICAGO Tribune
One OF the most prosperous and useful wo-
mems clubs In the United States is located ut
the handsomest cities In the West. and con-
tans hosts OF handsome women, But tho
1t lie that their club is not mere social organ.
ization, means for exchanging choice gossip,
has grown until there 10 no room for it to grow
any moro. In fact it became SO large several
Ing" and the West Side Ladies' Literary
ization., was formed. Now again it has grown
portions TO secure its greatest efficiency.
The Ladies' Literary Club OF, Grand Rapids
among the women Of Grand liaplds by Mrs L.
II. Stone OF kalamazoo, woman who has been
instnr str In forming several other wom9ns
for study had been excited. 4 meeting Of six
Fuller, wealthy woman widely known for her
ORIGINALITY and culture as well as for her
ton and issued n call to the women of
the city who ;, we're antesrrested q the
in April 1872 The membership SON reached
nun aIn ,hh IN S bas o ae cup In
present membership is ovor 500 and embraces
not only ma5X women OF wealth. but many
meetings which are held every week. is about
ship OF moro than 500 the club cannot work to
so good an advantage as with o smaller num-
her They have decided; accordingly, to limit
therefore. until the number falls below !uO.
Dec. Il. 1887, was q red-letter day for tho
club. That day the ladies dedicated n club
house. erected under their own direction for
their own exclusive use. Up to that time.
although they had a library of nearly 1,OO0
n m N.Il nf
photographs. piano. a cons iderable amount
OF furniture. and other, pnrapherna!ia for club
rooms. Living in rented rooms did not satisfy
these progressive women; they decided to buy
N5 a1d Ogld Heuie Of 1hei own The
an annual income Of 5000, and relentless de-
termination. Tho last mentioned item was tho
several times as much cash as both the others
combined. 4 lot was purchased on sheldon
street, one Of the finest streets IN the city and
July 80 1887. the corner stono Of the new club
house was laid. Five months later the house
The club house is two stories in height at tho
front. with n lofty single story in the rear for
the main hall or auditorium, II Is built. Of
slate rooi,sained glass. and French plate glass
windows. At the front on the first floor tho
hall with handsome, broad winding stair
case leading to the upper room" as the
side is a commodious and convenient toilet
room; At the left OF the main entrance on tho |
library room about twenty, five feet square. |
The library. opens into the AUDITORIUM. a room !
ono feet high. embracing dome and sky |
light at the centre. At the further or west |
end Of tn the auditorium is rSo large stage
auditorium is slightly inclined toward thu |
stage. 1t is covered with handsome body |
brown Is tn prevailing tint, harmonizng. per
lectly with the beautiful DECORATIONS OF the
ana ana d%m ph0 G1s ana 6%eS in soft
bloom which adorn the ceiling produce highly |
artistic effects; The library is tlnishGd in OAK
are darker than those OF tho an itorum, but
are complementary TO them. The handsome
i paiSs ana OAK mantes simple in oFm aTo
lecture. Above the mantel in the auditorium
Is, a. beautiful plnte-Elnss mirror q the full
?aken Panel above the mantel bears the word !
Books In bold; carved letters; surrounded by
pastimes and our happiness will grow"
regular meeting OF the, club is hold every
saturday afternoon. and lasts two hours. OK
8 usually taken. or the meetings are limited
q ono hour, As provided by tho constitution
loyoted to the consideration Of subjects por-
aiming 10 art and literature. to be brought be-
orc the club by committee Of three who
months. For The second SaturdayGf the month
similar committee furnishes topIcs on edu-
,htion, and for the third Saturday another
committee furnishes subjects in history The
meeting OF the fourth week is in charge of
IN Entertainment committee" and when
'ver this committee furnishes an evenings
not only do all members of tho
Tub have standing invitation. hut each mem
ler may invite one person to accompany her.
Tho hours for entertainment are from 10 10
;; NJ. The entertainment generally includes
lays. music. readings recitatonS &C. Cards
nd refres hments arc prohibited When
tth SATURDAY occurs In any month II il called
Presidents Day" and on that day the lresi
IS as she sees fit
The programme committees lay out their
FORK Systematically and carefully. and copies
re printed and distributed among members
? advance, thus giving memherS chance TO
tudy the subjects before their presentation at
le club,