Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1890 — A WOMAN’S CLUB HOUSE [ARTICLE]

A WOMAN’S CLUB HOUSE

i NOVEL INSTITUTION AT DECATUR. ILL. . The Wives, Mothers, and Daughter* of That Cltj Can Now •• Go to Club,” Just Bike Their Male Friends—Wliat the New Institution Is. [Decatur (Ill.) dispatch.] Three hundred people, members of the representative families of Decatur, with a number of invited guests from a distance, were present to-uight at the formbl opening of the Woman's Club-house. The, address of welcome was delivered by Mrs. Anna B. Milliken. the first President, who extended the cordial greeting of the club to the admiring company. Mrs. James W. Hayworth gave an interesting history of the lot on which the club-house stands. For many years the lot was the site of Decatur’s first factory, and subsequently the old frame structure was used as a school-house. Musical selections during the evening were rendered by Miss Lizzie Ivineper, Miss Jessie Steele, Mrs. K. Harwood, George Tyner, D. L. Bunn. Ralph Templeton, William Page and Leo Heilbrun. The reception began at 7 o’clock, and did not close until after 11 o'clock. • Few woman societies can boast clubhouses. They are almost unknown, in fact, this side of tlie Atlantic. The club-house of the Woman’s Club of Decatur is distinctly emblematic of the organization which owns and occupies it. The club-house is naturally intended to administer to those functions of the society which may be termed social, but It represents enterprise, the enterprise and advancement which have won for the society an enviable reputation more than local in the field of systematic and successful philanthropy and benevolence. The present officers of the society are: President—Mrs. M. M. T. Rundall. Vice President—Mrs. G. R. Bacon. Secretary—Miss Anna Henkle. Treasurer—Mrs. J. H. Bevans. Among the honorary members of the club are Mrs. Mary A. Livermore of Melrose. Mass., and Miss Kate Field of Washington,

The social work of the club is divided into four sections or classes —one for the study of current lopics, one for the Chautauqua course and history, one for the study of Shakspeare, and .one for the home and philanthropy, so styled. The sewing school for poor girls comes under the last named department. The club building is situated on the north side of Central Park, in the heart of the city, and Is known as the Decatur Woman’s Club House. It is not really the property of the Woman’s Club, but has been built and furnished by a stock company of Decatur women, eighty-three In number, all members of the Woman’s Club. The officers of the Woman’s Club House stock company are: President—Mrs. Anna B. MlUikin. Vice Laura Wikoff. Treasurer—Mr. M. M. T. Randall. Directors—The officers and Mrs. Vail, Mrs. Ida W. Baker, Mrs. J. W. Haworth, Mrs. Dr. A. J. Stoner, and Mrs. C. P. Thatcher. The building is a four-story pressed brick and designed by a Chicago architect. The total cost of the structure is $14,000, not including the outlay for furniture.