The Friday Afternoon Club collection contains club documents such as programs, minutes, constitution and by-laws as well as photograph albums of luncheons and events, presentations, and newspaper clippings.

The Friday Afternoon Club was founded in February 1896 by seven women who responded to a letter asking them to consider forming a literary society. According to their 1986 constitution, the object of the club was “mutual improvement of its members in literature, art, science, current events, and to promote sociability.” By 1902, the current events section became independent and later called itself the Ontario Woman’s Club. In addition to improving its members, the club also improved its community, giving $1,000 toward the purchase of land for the Carnegie library at D Street and Euclid Avenue in 1910. It raised money with a salvage shop during World War I to support the Red Cross, and the club bought Liberty bonds used to help San Antonio Community Hospital. The club is still going strong in 2013.

4 firesafe drawers.

Collection open for research.