Historical Note
The Walla Walla Woman’s Reading Club was founded in 1894 as a reading
group devoted to “a critical study of such writings as may be deemed best to
promote the literary culture of its members.” The club’s officers typically
consist of a president, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding
secretary, and treasurer. Membership is limited to 30 women; new members are
nominated and voted upon by the club. In 1896, the club became a charter member
of the Washington Federation of Women’s Clubs.
At weekly or bimonthly meetings, the Woman’s Reading Club discusses
literature and presents papers written by the members. Primarily a study club,
the group has occasionally become involved in philanthropic endeavors and civic
improvements in the town of Walla Walla, most notably participating in the
effort to establish a public library from approximately 1896 to 1905.
Content Description
The first two boxes contain annual programs which document the dates
and locations of meetings, the reading list for the year, and the membership of
the club. The richest sources of information are the secretaries’ books, which
contain minutes of the club’s meetings. The minutes record information about
the day’s program, motions made, committees appointed, planning for special
events, and amendments to the club constitution and bylaws. There are also four
scrapbooks, which contain the annual programs, newspaper clippings,
photographs, and ephemera. The scrapbook presented to the club in 1922 by Mrs.
Howard S. Brode contains several histories of the club written by members.
The collection also contains meeting programs and resolutions issued
by the Washington State Federation of Women’s Clubs (WSFWC) and the General
Federation of Women's Clubs. The Walla Walla Woman's Reading Club was active in
the WSFWC, and the two programs document WSFWC conventions held in Walla Walla.
The General Federation of Women's Clubs presented the resolutions at its
Seattle convention in 1932.
