New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-10-21
Jubilee PROGRAM
| OF WOMANS Club
Fiitieth Anniversary Observed
i, With Interesting Exercises

Britain held Its october neetlhg al
the Shuttle Meadow Meadow club on
Tuesday afternoon.
The occasion was one OF great
interest to all those present, mark
ing the Goth anniversary OF the
founding Of the organization. Van-
Gus committees had been busy deco
rating the clubhouse with golden
leaves and chrysanthemums, while
the figures 1S75-1925 were plainly
marked on a background Of the
golden foliage OF autumn. The
president, Mrs. John c. LOOMS,
presided, and after cordial greet
ing to all, announced that the pro-
gram for the afternoon was In
charge of Mrs. Harris B. Humason
and Mrs. George w. Traut.
The historic paper, prepared with
much care and thought by Mrs.
Pumason, was listened to with keen
interest, as she took her audience
back so years and even beyond.
telling OF the first organizations of
women In New York city and 3os-
ton, as early as 1868. In Rhode
Island, Wisconsin and Ohio, wom-
ems educational clubs were formed
a few years later. but interest
chiefly conferred 10 the Woman's
club OF Grand Rapids, Michigan,
started in 1873, as being the mother
to the Woman's club of New Britain.
Mrs. Thomas Conklin had re-
turned from a, visit to that city in
1875, and soon interested her friends
here In forming an association to
be kEown as the Ladies' Literary
Eociety." At that time. New Britain
was a town of only 10000 inhabi-
4 tants, having had it's charter scarce
liz five years, but Its educational a,d-
Santages we're being rapidly de-
ve1oped, and the city's growth was
assured. It was a new Idea to
have a. strictly woman's organization
and thirteen women banded together
on Monday, October 4, 1875, as
charter members, with the following
officers: President, Mrs. Mahlon
=. Woodruff; president. Mrs.
Thomas Conklln: secretary. Mrs.
George Clary.
At the second meeting SO MEM
bers were enrolled, certain rules
and regulations" were adopted and
various committees were appointed.
For II years the Literary society
met at the homes of its members,
and then, having outgrown such
accommodations, the meetings were
held In Odd Fellows hall on Main
street, and later at the Institute.
In 1892 the name was changed
from the Ladies' Literary society to
the more formal one of the Wom-
ans Club of New Britain, and at
the same time printed programs
were introduced at the meetings.
The membership OF the club has
Increased in remarkable manner
from 142 In the year 1900, TO All
at the present time.
Twenty-four women have served
as president. bringing much o.
noble inspiration and unselfish de
votion to the club In furthering itt
interests, and making the organiZa'
fion real mower for good in the
city.
Mrs. Charles r. Mitchell and Mrs
Edward L. Prior, the only charter
members of the Woman's club now
living In New Britain, were present
and Mrs. Mitchell gave an interest
ING account of the first meeting 81
wears ago held at the house of Mrs
Peck on Pearl street. She also reac
!, letter from Mrs. Mahlon ]. Wood
rufy the first president, sending con
ordinations and expressions of he
continued interest in the club.
fitting tribute was paid to tn
men,orv of Miss Alice Gray Stanley
bv Mrs. William ?. Felt who voiced
ti,s feeling of the club membership
In EXPRESSIONS of loving appreciation
~ her long connection with the clu
a.. ,oval and devoted member a
we'll az president during four years
several of the Younger member
NJ the club in costumes half a cen
tnrv old gave a. very realistic por
trayaI of the first meeting of 9Th
literary society, rendering in
da,ightful manner parts of the mus
cal and dramatic programs of for
mer wear. Mrs, George Flanaga
had charage of this part of tn
Anniversary program, which wa
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