Woman's Wednesday Club of Belton
Belton, Bell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded in 1898 as a literary society with twenty-five members, the Woman's Wednesday Club is the oldest active club of its kind in Bell County. Initially meeting in the Central Hotel in downtown Belton, the club members were devoted to the study of literature and history. Each member donated books to begin a library. They were instrumental in persuading Andrew Carnegie to donate funds to the city for a public library, and their collection of books formed the nucleus of the institution's holdings. The club has been a driving force in the cultural life of the city. (1990)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1898 as a twenty-five-member literary society meeting in Belton's Central Hotel, the Woman's Wednesday Club devoted itself to the study of literature and history. Members pooled donated books and successfully lobbied Andrew Carnegie to fund a public library, seeding its first collection.
Why it matters
Women's clubs like this one quietly built much of America's public library and cultural infrastructure at the turn of the century, well before women could vote.
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Related people
- · Andrew Carnegie
Themes & tags
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