Beginnings
Our rich history beings with being proud of the legacy the Woman’s Club has of bringing together women from all walks in fellowship.
On April 23, 1897 a meeting was held at the YMCA for forming a Federation of Topeka Clubs. Twenty-five of the thirty-five literary-type clubs sent representatives. The original notes of our formation stated a concerted effort to steer clear of “such fads as women’s suffrage.”
Politics and Community
To minimize any controversy, we placed emphasis on the arts, music, and literature. Philanthropy was also important. The club raised $700 for books for children affected by the North Topeka flood of 1903.
The organization was instrumental in Topeka beautification, planting countless rose bushes and nut trees along boulevards. As the club matured and became more civic-minded, such issues as uniform as divorce laws, anti-white slavery, and women’s suffrage became important to many of the club’s leaders.
We changed the name to the Topeka Federation of Women.
Breaking Ground
The club broke ground in 1923 to build their first club house at 420 SW 9th Street. Meetings began in April, 1925. Several lovely stained glass windows were designed and installed by civic leaders in honor of our members, their wives.
- The literature window was a gift from Harry Garvey in honor of wife Bertha Alexander
- The civic window was a gift from Albrecht Marburg in honor of wife Vada Jetmore
- The music window was a gift from Eli Foster in honor of his wife, Alice Mitchell
- The art window was a gift from Arthur Capper in honor of wife Florence Crawford
- The Forestry Window was a gift from William Johnston in honor of his wife, Lucy Brown.
The Great Depression and Charity
Throughout the great depression, the women continued their philanthropy–giving space rent-free to organizations needing a place to meet. They sent silk hoisery to the Veterans Hospital in Washington.
Donations of clothing and food baskets to the needy; women pieced, lined, and tied comforters and gave them to families struggling to keep warm.
Despite the economic circumstances, our mortgage was paid down and we grew in membership.
By 1947, there wer 733 members. During the next decade, we held charitable events to benefit such organizations as:
- Florence Crittendon,
- Hillcrest TB Sanitorium,
- and the Capper Foundation.
During this same time, we provided nursing scholarships to students in the Stormont Vail School of Nursing.
Topeka Weather
Our club was fortunate to have only minor damage to the club house during the Topeka tornado of 1966.
In 1977, our club house was placed on the Kansas Historic registry.
Our stained glass windows were appraised at being worth $57,535.
By 1980, our club house was put up for sale due to increasing expenses and was sold in February 1981 for $500,000.
In April of 1981, a new building was constructed for us on land off of Fairlawn, where we continue to meet to this day.
