New Britain herald., 1925-10-24
ACTIVITIES AMONG
WOMEN'S CLUBS

Thirteen of the younger members
Of the New Britain Womans club
dressed in quaint old fashioned
gowns of fifty years ago played an
important part in the meeting held
Tuesday afternoon at tho Shuttle
Meadow club to commemorate the
golden anniversary Of the orgaliza-
ton. With Mrs. Harris HumaSon and
Mrs. George Traut in charge the
members were taken back TO a tnc
50 years ago when IS ladies gather
ed at the home of Mrs. Charles Peck
TO form the Ladies' Literary society,
an organization which has snce
grown into the present Woman's
club with membership Of All. The
historic paper which Mrs. Humason
read during the pantomime' scene
Of the early meeting took the au-
dience back so years and beyond,
telling OF the first organization of
women in New York city and Bos-
ton, as early as 1868. In Rhode
Island, Wisconsin and Ohio, wom-
ems educational clubs were formed
a. few years later, but interest
chiefly centered in 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 visit to that city IN
1875, and soon interested her friends
here in forming an association to
/ be known as the Ladies' Literary
Society,"" At that time, New Britain
was town Of only 10000 inhabi-
tants, having had its charter scarce
ly five years. but its educational ad-
yantages were being rapidly de-
veloped. and the city's growth was
assured. 1t was a new idea 70
have a strictly woman's organization
and thirteen women banded together
on Monday. October 1. 1878, q:
charter members. with the following
officers: President, Mrs. Mahlor
]. Woodruff; president, Mrs
Thomas Conklin; secretary. Mrs
George Clary.
At the second meeting So mem.
bers were enrolled, certain "rule'
and regulations" were adopted ant
various committees were appointed
For II years the Literary societ!
met at the homes Of Its members
and then. having outgrown sucl
accommodations the meetings wer,
held In Odd Fellows hall on Mail
street, and later at the Institute.
In 1892 the name was change
from the Ladies' Literary society {,
the more formal one OF the Won
ans Club of New Britain, and a
the same time printed program
were introduced at the meetings.
Twenty-four women have serve
as president, bringing much o
noble inspiration and unscltish de
votion TO the club, in turthcring 1t
interest, and making the organiza
ton a real power for good in til
city.
Mrs. Charles E. Mitchell and MR.
Edward L. Prior, the only charte
members Of the Womans club no.
living in New Britain, we're presen
and Mrs. Mitchell gave an interest
: ing account of the first meeting 5
years ago held at the house OF Mr.
Peck on Pearl street. She also rea
: a letter from Mrs. Mahlon ]. Wood
D ruff, the first president. sending cor
1 gratulations and expression of hi
Q continued interest in the club.
D A fitting tribute was paid 10 II
S memory of Miss Alice Gray Stanle
e by Mrs. William P. Felt, who voice
/. the feeling OF the club membershi
i in expressions of loving appreciate
!, of her long connection with the clC
: as a loyal and devoted member
i we'll as president during four year
f Mrs. George Flanagan, charms
u Of the dramatic department OF Il
Ii was In charge OF the club portra'
e ing the early meeting OF the clu
: The IL members taking part inclut