The Nineteenth Century Club facts for kids
The Nineteenth Century Club was a special group for women in Memphis, Tennessee. It was a historic women's club that focused on helping others and improving the community. The club believed that women could use their "gentler spirit" and "uplifting influence" to make the city a better place, just like they would for their own homes. They worked on making changes to help the city, especially focusing on women and children. They looked at problems like keeping the city clean, health, schooling, jobs, and working conditions.
How the Club Started
The Nineteenth Century Club began in May 1890. A group of important women met at the Gayoso Hotel in Memphis. Some of the women who helped start the club were Elise Massey Selden, Elizabeth Fisher Johnson, Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, Clara Conway, and Lide Meriwether.
Their main goals were to help women learn more and to encourage them to study different topics. They wanted to create a place where women in Memphis could gather and share ideas. The club quickly became very popular. More and more women joined, and by 1926, they had about 1,400 members.
Women Making a Difference
In 1891, the club had different groups, and one was called "Philanthropy and Reform." This group tried to work with city leaders in Memphis. The women wanted to help shape the city and bring their caring and wise ideas to city matters.
Even though the club helped women have more say in politics, the members always made sure to say they weren't trying to cause big, sudden changes. They said their work was just like "housekeeping" but for the whole city. They felt it was their job to take care of the community, just like they would their own families.
The club's work was seen as very selfless and feminine. Even with their careful explanations, this movement showed that American women, especially in the South, were starting to feel more powerful and capable. The club's motto was "Influence is Responsibility." This showed how much they felt responsible for society.
In 1892, a big meeting called the Congress of the Association for the Advancement of Women came to Memphis. It was their 20th yearly meeting and the first time they met in a southern city. Clara Conway, one of the club's founders, gave the first speech. She said that women were tired of things being unfinished and wanted to move from just having free time to being active members of society.
Important Projects
The club had many successful projects that helped the city. They worked to get a police matron (a female officer) at the city jail. They also helped get a female sanitary inspector (someone who checks for cleanliness) at the Board of Health.
The club also helped start the Shelby County Anti-Tuberculosis Society. This group worked to fight a serious lung disease called tuberculosis. They also played a big part in creating a new city hospital. The club was very important in the early days of the West Tennessee State Normal School, which is now known as the University of Memphis.
In 1897, a branch of the club in Hamburg, New York started the Hamburg Public Library. They wanted to make their community better and improve education for everyone. At that time, this branch only had 19 women members, including some librarians and teachers. In 1901, a group of businessmen took over the library and formed the Library Association. The New York State Education Department officially recognized the library in 1902, and it is still open today.
The Club Today
The Nineteenth Century Club is still active. In 1926, the club bought a large house that was built in 1906. It belonged to Rowland Darnell, who was a very successful lumber businessman in Memphis. The club stayed in this mansion for over 20 years.
Over time, fewer people joined the club, so they eventually sold the mansion. There was a disagreement about who owned the mansion and how to protect its history. In the end, the mansion was restored and turned into a restaurant.
