Woman's Literary Club 125th AnniversaryThe Woman's (yes, singular) Literary Club of Holland was founded in 1898. There was a precursor, the Bay View Reading Club, that started in 1894. Bay View Reading Clubs were formed across the country with a 4-year curriculum focusing on literature, history, and science. The women would study and present papers from the material. After the 4 years was completed, many of the women wanted to continue with a similar experience. Anna Coatsworth Post was the founder of the literary club. She was also a charter member of Hope Reformed Church. The organization was modeled after the Ladies Library Association of Kalamazoo. The Literary Club selected a topic for discussion every year and checked out 50 books from the state library of Michigan. The books covered history, arts & literature, science, education and misc., and music. There were committees that developed programs for each of these areas of the topic over the course of the year. In 1905 the club joined the Michigan General Federation of Women's Clubs. Alice Kremers, the wife of Dr. Henry Kremers, was a member of the Lit Club. They bult an annex on the back of their house on 12th and Central that the club used for meetings and their public health activities. This is the same house that was the location of the first hospital and later the museum. The Lit Club bought and sold multiple properties before securing the property on which the building was finally built. Each time they sold property they made a profit. Since women were not allowed to own property at this time, they formed an organization that included men for the purpose of buying property and building. The building was completed in 1914. The Lit Club building was the location of many activities as the club rented it out to pay for its upkeep. The club was very active in health work, including maternity classes. In 1916/1917 they loaned money to women wanting a college degree at Hope College. The expenses were then $125/yr. Later this was turned into scholarships. The club sold trees at cost to residents living on 9th through 16th streets to provide shade. When WW1 started the women registered men for the military, became active in the Red Cross, and continued their hospital work. It was at a Literary Club meeting that Lida Rogers proposed what would become Tulip Time. Currently there are 119 members who still work on beautification projects, discuss books, and have the annual conference. |
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