Woman's Club of Coconut Grove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Woman's Club of Coconut Grove
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 Location in Miami
Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Miami, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 75000549 |
| Added to NRHP | March 26, 1975 |
The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove is a special historic building in Miami, Florida. It was first known as the Housekeepers Club. This club is a place where women came together to help their community.
Contents
History of the Club
The club started in 1891 thanks to Flora McFarlane. Many important women from Coconut Grove's first families were members. They had their first meeting on February 19, 1891. Their main goal was to make life better for everyone in the community. A big part of their work was to help people learn and read more.
The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove was the very first group of women's clubs in Florida to join together. In 1957, the members officially changed the name from Housekeeper's Club to the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove.
The First Schoolhouse in Coconut Grove
The group's first meeting happened at the First Coconut Grove School. This was the very first public school building in Miami-Dade County, built in 1889. The Housekeepers Club members raised money to build this school. It was also used as the community's Sunday School. This one-room building was the only public school in the area until 1894. After a bigger school was built, this first building was no longer used for classes.
The Pine Needles Club for Girls
The Pine Needles Club was a group for young girls. It was started in 1895 by Mary Barr Munroe. She was the wife of a writer named Kirk Munroe. This club was a way to bring young girls together. They would meet outdoors every week to read adventure books. Many of these stories were about the Seminole Indians and the Florida Everglades. The club helped create a strong community spirit in South Florida.
Starting the Coconut Grove Library
Mary Barr Munroe and the Pine Needles Club members helped create the first lending library in the City of Miami. It started in a small space above a local store. In 1895, Louise Carnegie gave them many books. She was the wife of the famous steel businessman, Andrew Carnegie. This donation helped them open what was called the Coconut Grove Reading Room.
The collection of books grew very quickly. The Housekeepers Club and Pine Needles Club members raised enough money to build a proper library. This became the very first branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library System. It was called the Coconut Grove Library. The library opened in 1901. The land for the library was given by another Coconut Grove pioneer, Ralph Munroe.
Club Activities and Impact
The Housekeepers Club of Coconut Grove has done many good things. They have worked on projects for the environment, for social causes, and for education.
Helping the Environment
In 1905, the club worked to protect a large area of land in Paradise Key. This area was part of the Florida Everglades and was very important for nature. By 1915, their hard work paid off. The State of Florida created the Royal Palm State Park to protect this land. The club members also spoke out against people hunting egrets. Egrets are beautiful birds, and many were being killed at that time.
Making a Social Difference
Helping people was a big part of the Housekeepers Club's work. They supported Seminole Indian tribes, who were often treated unfairly. The group also helped people during disasters. They worked with the American Red Cross to provide aid. In 1923, the club sponsored the first Girl Scout of America troop in southeast Florida. This troop was nicknamed "The Alligators." They wanted to encourage positive role models for girls.
Promoting Education and Arts
In 1921, the Housekeepers Club started a community fine arts board. They wanted to bring people together through art. They also wanted to help people enjoy theatre and performances. The club put on outdoor plays. These shows gave local actors a chance to perform. They also helped raise money for the club's other community projects.
The Club's Building
The club eventually moved into its own building. It was designed by a famous architect named Walter de Garmo. The building was finished in 1921. It was built using local stone, concrete, and stucco. The building has a unique curved roof and a porch that wraps around it. The porch has several round archways. On March 26, 1975, this historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.
The Club Today
The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove is the oldest community group in Miami-Dade County. Today, the club continues to do many good things. They work on projects to help the community. They also give scholarships every year to young women. These scholarships are for girls who show great leadership skills. Following their original motto, "Lend a Hand," the club has supported many organizations. These include Casa Valentina, Cancer Survivors, and the Miami-Dade Public Library System. They also help Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
See also
