New-York tribune., 1903-05-04
HOME CULTURE CLUBS.
With Nr. Carnegie's Gift the Work
WiU Be Much Ertended.

Andrew Carnegie's recent gift of $4,000 TO the
Home Culture Clubs Of Northampton calls atten-
rion 70 interesting institution. which origi-
mated with George W. Cable the author. and which
has been carried on mainly under his guidance.
with the assistance Of the Smith College girls. The
Home Culture Clubs started in 1887. and have
grown so rapidly that extensive property has re
Gently been purchased that the work may be car
RED more widely.
The organization was originally circle OF social
and educational clubs. modelled somewhat after the
university settlements and neighborhood guilds in
large cities. In 1855 small reading was
opened in i Main-st. block by Mr.. Gable for the
use q men and boys habituaIly on the streets. AT
once those rooms overfoved with those whom the
club desired 20 reach, and the quarters were soon
TOO small Larger rooms were twice secured. but
with the formation Of classes for instruction in
various subjects under the direction of the Smith
students the need for still commodious quar-
rers became imperative Edward Hutchinson Rob
bins Lyman stepped in al this Juncture and pre-
sented the Methodist Church 10 the Home Cult
ure Clubs Ii was intended that they should pay
for the property when able to CO so: but upon Mr-
Lyrran's death. in 1898 the building and land. to
sethe- with the janitcr's house in the rear. were
gwen 70 them outright by his son and daughter.
Frank Lyman and Mrs. Alfred T White, while
s GO vas added from the estate Of Mrs. E. q r
Lyman
The growth OF the Home Culture Clubs has been
almost Phenomenal They offer instruction in
many branches and have an able corps Of in
srrUctors- About serenty-ive Smith students gave
instruction last year the different subjects. and
over one hundred were registered for that purpose
For the last ten years the Smith students have
abored enthusiastically and unti-ngly. and il is in
large measure due their efforts that the clubs
have reached such prominent position Of useful
ness II the community Among the subjects in
which Instruction Is given algebra, arithmetic
banjo. bookkeeping. cooking. current events. dane
Ing. drawing. dressTnaking. elocution embroidery.
English, French. geometry, grammar. gymnastics
and history There IS attendance Of about nine
hundred and sixty men ana boys and one thousand
and nine women each month. The gymnasium
@ Of ne s stset and give them heT proper Ts n m9se o
ne1l and training among proper surroundings. and
tne domestic science department. attrac-
lon 70 the girls and women.
Ia January OF 1888 M Gable organized an auxil-
material asslstance 10 the work and provides for
is l'erPeIuaJou This is known as the Home CUT
n & cG2 1oIIlSL any adult person & nterestsq IN IN
- el4lottL yy ne eIeclorai committee, anu L4Ls
alc Tie membership of the sub-Organlzau0n now
T56-1E 5--lt---. - 1S3i - 7;yi1 ~ Nc +b-sa cFan
te-s--the woneu's chapter which has charge of
ne household economy, care and training OF chill
dreI. domestic science and the relations Of the
c-uo 70 The home. and Is composed OF about II
= omen prominent in social and religious circles:
ne rlen.s chapter comprising four citizens VINO
nave charge of the mems reading room. smoking
similar activities. and the college chapter com
prlslng nearly fifty Smith College students. whose
II - ysr a. rj 81 eaI5I,etfion ' Nv was sdded To-
ana others offered prizes and competitions have 4
oeen held each year since that time.
Ihe property which has been purchased IS 4
csea the WhitCGmb estate. and will give the CLUBS
nearly Of land. well a large. 4
'oornT house. with the opportunity 10 build more
extensively necessity demands Mr. Carneg1e's (
recent gift Of $4,000 imposed certain conditions.
@alcn are already partly filed The Home Culture
i-bs are required 10 double their revenues Tor the
which amount 10 $50 70 5000 ana air Gable has
secured one-hsIf Of the additional $500 annual
ese-.ue through gifts from Frank Lyman Mrs
Altred T White. Mr. and Mrs Arthur James and .
-cRzTd BOdman all NeW-fork people. but Tor .
nerly q Northampton