The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-04-23
BARRE WOMAN'S CLUB.
Its Activities Described in Christian Sci
ence Monitor.

A brief summary of the work of the
Barre Woman's club during its eight
months of existence was given in Tues.
days issue of the Christian Science Mon.
itor, as follows, together with cut OF
the club president, Mrs. F, J. Martin
"The Barre Woman's club is only eight
months old, but it has been unusually
active. 1t has leased new Fairgrounds
for the children and has secured an in
structor from Boston to take charge
A course of lectures has been given on
various subjects of education and gem
eral interest. Musical entertainments
are in progress and classes in cooking
and domestic economy have been started
The club considers that the spirit OF
democracy is its most noteworthy
achievement. All classes and national
tiles Of Barre mingle at it's functions.
This club is managed by an executive
board, consisting Of the officers, directors
and chairmen of departments. There are
departments of education, music, art,
home economics and civics. The civics
department is the one in which every
member is expected to be a worker and
in which most interest is displayed by
outsiders.
"The department of education has
Mrs. III. III, jackson at its head Its
work has been done largely through lee
lures attended by members and their
friends. A course in parliamentary law
now is being carried on, and the men,
bers find it helpful and enjoyable. A
nature study class is being arranged for
this spring.
"The music department under the d.
rection of Mrs. Il. w. Bisbee has lust
completed series of parlor musicales.
Members are permitted to bring their
friends, thus extending the advantages
beyond the borders Of the club. Several
recitals of high order OF merit have
been given by the department in How
land hail. which is the clubroom. Two
more are scheduled for this spring.
None OF the departments is more
popular than that of home economies,
with Mrs. c. n Benedict directing. Ca
pable lecturers have presented their best
thoughts for the instruction of the club
in this branch of woman's work, and
proficient cooks have given demonstra-
tions of up-to-date cooking, among them
being one from Simmons college, Boston,
and another from the University of Yer
mont.
"The ciyics department is in charge of
Mrs. W. r. Shepard. As soon as the
club was organized this department took
up the work of the playground on Ber-
lin street, which was established few
years ago by the civic federation. an
organization of women now merged in
the new club. A trained instructor from
Boston was secured to direct the play
of the young children.
'In addition to this a large tract of
land on Ayers street was leased for a
term of years and converted into a play.
ground and athletic field for the older
the instructor dividing his time
between this place and the one on Ber-
lin street. 1t is purposed to have two
instructors, man and a woman, this
summer.
"The Ayers street ground has been
used this winter as skating rink, the
city permitting the fire department to
food it for the children Tennis courts
for the older girls were laid out at Elm
wood park, which is easily accessible
from Washington street, Highland ave-
nue. and the Currier park section of the
city.
"This 'Elmwood' the ladies hope to
make one of the beauty spots of Barre.
A beginning has been made by laying
out walks and flower beds, erecting ar
bors, planting shrnbbery, vines and bios
soming plants. =
1.-TWO sewing schools have been in
One of these is in dressmaking for older
-, l.. Il II
work for girls under ID years of age.
The latter has about IS pupils. These
schools doubtless will be open through
the year
"There is a balance in the treasury
Of the lecture committee which shows
how well the public has appreciated the
excellent lecture and entertainment
course which the Woman's club has pre-
sented in the opera house during the
winter This was considered rather a
enterprise financially, for the
reason that the talent engaged was from
the best now on the lecture platform
md consequently expensive and requir-
ng large patronage to support it, but
Is the object was the elevation of pub
lie taste, not revenue. the committee
considered it could not do otherwise than
plunge and hope for safe emergence.
The result has fully justified its iudg- !
nent and fulfilled its hopes.
"The historical committee has been |
lifting up a room which is expected ulti- |
nately to be of great value to the COM |
nunity. The club discovered that many |
articles of value to the historian were |
leing destroyed or carried away from |
he state because no place had been pro- /
'ided in Barre where such objects could |
,e stored in safety. The room and the |
rteles will be arranged in such a man |
Ter that they may be viewed by stu
Tents desiring to know something of |
arly New England domestic customs.
"This room is located on the first floor i
# the city building. As soon as the
asses now being made are finished, the |
ommittee win issue a call for loans or
lifts of historical material for the col
ection. Much has already been prom
sed and more is expected to come when
he public is aware of the movement.
The clubs present membership is
80"