Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-06-23
COLLEGE
sucH rs THE HOME CULTURE
CLUB OF NORTHAMPTON.
Started in THIS Northern Town by
Well-Known Southerner-What
Work Has Grown To Under
Mr.. George Cable.

-
In one of the fairest New England
cities, Northampton, there has been
quietly carried ON for years a movement
hat has resulted in bringing culture
into many lives that were lacking educa-
tional and social opportunities, a work
that bestows much of the academical
and social life of the college proper.
We speak of the Home. Culture CLUBS,
the idea that of Mr.. George Cable Mr..
Gable is widely known as the author OF
those charming creole tales, but his zeal
and success in lines of social betterment
have beer modestly kept in the back
ground. The recent Carnegie gift to the
Home Clubs now brings this phase OF
the authors life into prominence.
When MI. Cable moved north, ne
either acquired there, or else brougnt
with him a store of inexhaustlDle en-
ergy, and this store he soon began u
put at the service of Others. In 1881 ne
organized the Home Culture cluD, the
object the coming together OF nelgh-
bors for study, discussion ana recrea-
ton. Very shortly 20 clubs were organ
lied. and then the question OF reaching
the young people employed in the mills
was presented. A reading room was
opened for them in 1888, where they
| could come together TO read or for So
cial %ntercourse. The club spirit pre-
vailed; the one reading was twice
enlarged, and finally a clubhouse was
provided.
Not finally, either, for just now the
Home Clubs are establishing themselves
in the beautiful new quarters, the Car
negie house for the Home Clubs OF
Northampton. In this large clubhouse
varied activities of the club life will be
carried on; there is a concert room, and
provision is made for dramatic enter
tainments, one of the features of the or
CARNATIONS; a ballroom is no un1mpor-
tant part, dancing a recreation looked
upon with high favor by the promoters,
the Saturday night dances considered
one of the most attractive of the many
attractive parts of the liberal pro-
gramme.
The aim is to reach People, people gen.
orally, old and young, richand poor, cul-
tured and those longing for culture, edu-
Gated and ~uneducated, men and women,
employed and unemployed. The scope
is SO wide one cannot begin to tell of the
work accomplished, that planned. We
shall speak of certain things hat seem
of especial value. The clubhouse ex-
tends welcome to its lounging-room of
anyone, stranger or townsman, to enter
and rest. He may remain quiet, or he
may take part in conversations; but this
club is his club for the moment, a home
where he may indulge the moments
mood. There is al employment bureau,
where employed and unemployed come
in touch. There are bowling alleys and
billiard tables for those that desire to
play and without games of tennis, foot
ball, many sports.
But we seem slow in getting to the
study part of these Home Culture clubs.
Teachers from the famous woman's COL
lege situate in the town, Smith college,
act as teachers; they and others from
the city giving their services to the
classes. Wide is the range of subjects
studied, and widely differing the stu
dents; there are 20 nationalities repre-
scented in the classes and 70 occupations.