Hide Article Text (OCR)
To Celebrate 80th AnniversaryThe Valparaiso Woman’s Club will be observing its 80th anniversary Tuesday at 12:30 p m with a luncheon meeting at the club house, the Sarah Porter Kinsey Memorial, at 102 N. Washington. Mrs Myrick Crampton is presidentThe organization began in the winter of 1895 with the Harriet Beecher Stowe Heading Circle and Mrs N. L. Agnew as the first president Membership was limited to 25 with meetings held in private homes. In 1901, Mrs 0 P. Kinsey was elected president She believed in opening club doors of the Woman’s Club to all women of Valparaiso who cared to join The name was changed to the Valparaiso Woman’s Club and in 1905 became affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s ClubsMrs Kinsey was president for five years No other president held office more than two years consecutively. She started the building fund and gave the first donation of $100 Remaining donations during her term were deposited in the building and loan association, going thereafter to the building fund. From 1906 to 1910, Mrs. Kinsey was director from Indiana on the board of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and Mrs. C. W Boucher was the secretary for the GFWC. In 1917, the Bouchers, then living in Marion, came to Valparaiso Boucher became an instructor at Valparaiso University.In October 1916, the possibility of securing the use of house was discussed if the businessmen did not buy it for a VMCA building In March 1917, the committee reported unfavorably In a few days the nation was engaged in the World War, and in 1918 the club withdrew $500 to purchase a second Liberty Loan BondIt was Mrs Boucher, elected the 17th president in March 1923, who saw the feasibility of acquiring the home in 1923 At that time, there were 247 active, 32 associate and four corresponding members of the clubIn October, 1923, letters of incorporation were taken out with Mrs Boucher, president; Mrs A R. Putnam, secretary; and Mrs Harry Pagin, treasurerThe Valparaiso Woman’s Club met at the Central School building Aug 23, 1924, to make the final decision on the purchase of property for a club house A committee from the Elks, owners of the property, were present and presented their offer which was acceptedBuilt in 1906, the building was to be vacated as soon as the Elks Temple was completed Almost a year elapsed after the purchase before the building was turned over to the club On July 24, 1925, the new officers named to the finance committee were Mrs M. S. Campbell, president; Mrs. W I Wilson, secretary; and Mrs. G. L Hinkle, treasurer They met with the officials of the Elks Lodge at the old Farmer's State Bank to finish the conveyance of the property By Sept 21. 1925, complete with a new interior, the building was ready for the dedicationMrs Robert Trowbridge, pianist, will play background music Tuesday for the “Old-Fashion Style Show,” presented by members of the club
Newspaper Details
Valparaiso Vidette Messenger
Valparaiso, Indiana, US
Sat, Feb 08, 1975
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Porter C.
IN, USA 23 May 2025
Other Publications Near Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso Vidette Messenger
Valparaiso Torch
Valparaiso Porter County Vidette
