n2021-4_b020_f01_x04_01

DEDICATED to all those who have been instrumental in making the club what it is today. -------- by Lena F. Borland

Looking back through the corridors of time, memory, with the aid of time-worn files, bring to light the things of other days. The read is long and winding, and though we see dimly, those days long past live again in our hearts and we view them with hearts full of pride and thanksgiving.

Having insight into the future and looking far ahead, there were women in the Capital City who were inspired to become instruments in helping to shape the kind of city Tallahassee should be, and to instill in the hearts and minds of other women something tangible for the betterment of civic, cultural, and social activities in order to create an atmosphere in which life would be worth living. Surrounded by beauty and all the little things that count, in the march of time, marvelous objectives have been accomplished, all of which will be a heritage for generations to come.

It was back in 1903 when a group of Tallahhassee women banded into an organization which was named the Tallahassee Woman's club. These women, inspired as they were, held their first meeting in the old City Hall over the Surprise store, where the organization took place. They banded for a common cause, and their efforts have ripened into one of the largest organizations in the Florida federation of women's clubs. The charter members of the club planted the seed and fertilized them. Others came along, and still others, all putting their shoulders to the wheel, and with every revolution something tangible was produced in the way of a landmark for civic, cultural, and social improvement.

The club is, in reality, a mother, and her children are the many projects she has mothered throu lean and fat years. These projects had to be schooled in order for them to do the things for which they were created, and through proper functioning, the desired re-

sults were accomplished.

In the early years the club did not have a home it could call its own, and the building of a clubhouse was one of the main objectives all through the years until the building was an actuality and today the clubhouse stands as a monument to the untiring efforts of all club members throughout its many administrations.

The mother club, with all her duties in conceiving and raising a large family of projects, has always found time out for acting as hostess to state federations, legislative receptions, to Florida's governors and First Ladies, and to many other notables, including state executive boards, and other civics, patriotic, and cultural organizations when the occasion was at hand. Her welcome is always with a smile, and visitors from far and wide have enjoyed her hospitality. On rare and auspicious occasions, the club calls in her official board for consultation, and they, in turn, set the great wheel in motion, until, in the end, all officers, committee chairmen, department heads, and active members form one large family in the undertaking.

The club, in its triumphant march, has gathered the best materials at every turn in the road. Good material in any organization lightens the load and gives momentum for greater progress. She has to her credit inaugurated new departments and divisions when the need arose, as well as separate and distinct organizations among which are the Leon County Council of Women's clubs, which functioned for a few years, and the Junior Woman's club, which is active and has a large membership.

The forthcoming chapters will deal with the aims of the club, its operations, how it functions, and what it has accomplished through the years.

The Clubhouse

Tallahassee Woman's Club

Club Organized 1903

Federated 1905

Dedicated 1927

The clubhouse, when finished in 1927, cost around $25,000, and the first meeting of the club was held in the new building in May of that year, with Mrs. Edward Conradi, presiding.

The architecture of the building is Italian, the structure being built of concrete, with stucco finish in an Italian tint bordering on delicate shell, and trimmed in a soft shade of green that is most harmonious. The auditorium has a seating capacity of four or five hundred, with a splendid dance floor. A spacious lounge adjoins, with a serving room and electrically equipped kitchen opening from it. On the east side of the lounge is an open terrace which has proved one of the most used features of the club.

On either side the stage in the auditorium are dressing rooms, the stage being two steps above the floor and extending all the way across. At the front entrance to the building are cloak rooms. Furnace heat assures comfort through the winter, and a large fireplace in the lounge lends comfort between seasons.

The building committee: Mrs. Lois Boone, chairman; Mrs. J. Kent Johnston, vice chairman; Mrs. Edward Conradi, Mrs. J. G. Kellum and Mrs. Aaron Levy.

The first lot purchased by the club was back in the early administration of Mrs. T. M. Shackleford. It was located one block west of the Baptist church on Clinton street, (now College avenue). There is no record of the transfer of this property, but it is supposed that some exchange was made for in 1909 a record of the Munroe street property shows that the club paid the sum of $1500 and it was ordered recorded during the administration of Mrs. Charles A. Cay. The club later purchased the Felkel lot on Calhoun street and plans were drawn for a clubhouse. Before this started lots in Los Robles were donated by Messers Lomblah and A. E. Thornton. The Munroe street lot was sold for 18,000 and the Felkel lot for 6,000, and in December of 1926 the building of the clubhouse was begun in Los Robles.

Contributions of the Woman's Club of Tallahassee

State law inaugurating kindergarten in the State School system

Leon High school and the present High school building

Royal Palm Park project

Childwelfare work

Free milk for undernourished school children

Leon county Health Unit

County Nurse

Clinic for babies and school children

Mosquita Control

Abattoir Bill passed

Better Films Council

Flower Show

Beautification movement

Living Christmas Trees

Department for Junior Club Women

Sponsored Girl Scout Movement

Created a group for "Little Women"

Sponsored and aided in Canteen work

Information Center for Vetrans

Changed way of choosing May Queen (in cooperation with schools)

Cooperated with WPA Sewing Room

Furnished Sun Rooms at Veterans hospital