Katy Hamman-Stricker Library facts for kids
The Katy Hamman-Stricker Library is a special place in Calvert, Texas. It's not just a library; it's also a museum and a community center where people can gather. This building was the very first "chapter house" built in Texas by a group called the American Woman's League. Calvert is in an area of Texas known as the Golden Triangle, which is between the big cities of Dallas, Houston, and Austin. The building was first built in 1909. About 30 years later, it became the town's library. It is officially recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
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History of the Library Building
The building that now holds the library and museum was built in 1909. It was created by a group called the American Woman's League (AWL). This was the first AWL Chapter House in Texas. It was also one of the first four built anywhere in the United States.
The American Woman's League
The American Woman's League (AWL) started in 1907. It was created by a magazine publisher named E.G. Lewis. He wanted to help spread the idea of women's suffrage, which meant giving women the right to vote. The AWL also aimed to help women get better education, cultural experiences, and business chances.
Mr. Lewis planned to create a network of places and businesses just for women. This included things like online schools, libraries that sent books by mail, and even savings banks. He also wanted to help those without homes or orphans. He provided money to build special "chapter houses" in small towns across the country. Each house was meant to be a community center for learning, culture, and social events. They also created job opportunities for women. Half of the money made from magazine subscriptions went back to support the AWL.
Katy Hamman-Stricker's Role
Katy Hamman-Stricker was a leader in the effort to build an American Woman's League meeting house in Calvert, Texas. She was the daughter of General William H. Hamman. After the American Civil War, her father focused on buying and selling land and building railroads. Katy Stricker and her husband, Herman L. Stricker, were important business, community, and social leaders in Calvert. They built a two-story Victorian home in 1900. This home also became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1973.
Building Design and Use
At first, the building had one main room and a small kitchen. It served as the clubhouse for the American Woman's League. The building's design followed a style called the Prairie School. This style often features low, sloped roofs. By 1939, the AWL group had stopped operating. The Calvert Woman's Club then bought the building. They decided to use it as a library for the town. Today, the Calvert Woman's Club still helps support the library for the community.
The library is named after Katy Hamman-Stricker. She was one of the first members of the local AWL. She also continued to be a strong supporter of the library for many years. The Texas Historical Commission officially named it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 2003.
Keeping the Library Strong
The Calvert library is one of only 38 AWL chapter houses left in the country. It is the only one still standing in the state of Texas. In 2005, this historic building needed some important repairs. It was sinking a bit and needed work on its roof and electrical wiring.
To help with these repairs, the National Endowment for the Humanities gave the library a grant of $14,656. This money helped make sure the building could be fixed and continue to serve the community.
