Collection Guide
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Guide to the Wednesday Club Collection
MS 80
MS 80
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Table of contents
Title: Wednesday Club Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 80
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.75 Linear feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1898-2009
Abstract: This collection contains papers of the Wednesday Club, a women’s club operating in San Diego, from the late 1890s to the early
2000s.
creator:
Wednesday Club of San Diego .
Biographical / Historical Notes
The Wednesday Club is a women’s club formed in San Diego in 1893 to discuss literature and art. On June 4, 1895 ladies Arndt,
Hamilton, Horton, Ingle, Luce, McDonald and Woodward reformed it as a literary club and on June 11 Mrs. A.E. Horton was elected
president. The first literary discussion was about Oliver Wendell Holmes. His works were presented and discussed. Several
days later a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The goal of the club was artistic and literary culture, but in 1913 the
members added, “and the study of the problems of our time.” Initially the membership was limited to 50 and the initiation
fee was $3.00 with the yearly dues costing $2.00. In 1899 when Andrew Carnegie was donating money to build public libraries,
Mrs. Horton obtained money for a public library for San Diego and she became the first honorary member. In December of 1899,
a lot on 6th St. was purchased for the Wednesday Club House and in June of 1900 the Club House was built. Among other projects,
$500.00 was raised for the Park Improvement Fund.
This collection contains papers of the Wednesday Club, a women’s club operating in San Diego, from the late 1890s to the early
2000s. The papers include yearbooks, historical sketches, programs and resumes of potential speakers dating from 1898 to 2009.
Of special interest is “The Wednesday Club, San Diego, California: An Historical Sketch” from 1895-1970. This booklet gives
an interesting history of the founding of the club and the activities that they participated in which were primarily artistic
and literary discussions. There are also resumes of people that may have been considered as speakers at the Wednesday Club
functions.
The papers are arranged chronologically and by material type.
Wednesday Club Collection, MS 80, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Collection processed by Sally Weegar on June 29, 2006.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919
Gill, Irving, 1870-1936
Hamilton, Mrs. Charles S.
Horton, Lydia Knapp
Porterfield, Lottie G.
Sweet, Elaine, 1895-1985
Women -- Societies and clubs