Description
Chiefly minutes, membership and financial records, and a scrapbook; together with a small amount of ephemera, bulletins, and
clippings documenting the Sequoia Club's activities from its founding in 1892.
Background
The Sequoia Club was one of the oldest social clubs in San Francisco, founded in 1892 by seven or eight wives of Bohemian
Club members who wanted to meet together with their husbands to appreciate the arts. At that time, only artists and writers
were allowed; later, a wider range of associates were permitted to join, opening the Club to men and women with interests
and achievements in the creative arts, music, drama, and science. The Sequoia Club was governed by four officers and five
directors. Notable officers and members of the Club included: Senator James D. Phelan, Gertrude Atherton, Mrs. Fremont Older,
Evelyn Wells, Tommy Noonan, Ethel Cotton, Mrs. F. H. Colburn, and Arthur Chamberlin. Other prominent artists were A. C. Best,
Ethel Wickes, Charles Henry Grant, Maynard Dixon, James Holden, Emerson Lewis, Percy Grey, and Lee Bates. The purpose of the
Club was to promote cultural advancement, social activities, and friendship. Meetings were held each Thursday evening at the
California Club Rooms, 1750 Clay Street. Activities included formal dances, lectures, motion pictures, drama and short plays,
art and floral exhibits, annual picnics, golf tournaments, card parties, costume balls, and special dinners and dances.