Woman's Club of Tallahassee

The Woman’s Club of Tallahassee was formed in 1903 as a result of a meeting of six local Tallahassee women hoping to improve the quality of life in Tallahassee. According to the organization’s website, the club “…is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.” The organization contributes to numerous charities and also hosts’ weddings, fundraisers, parties and other events. The Women’s Club of Tallahassee was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Before the Great Depression, the city did not allocate a significant amount of funds for social services. The Woman's Club of Tallahassee helped fill this void upon its founding in 1903. The club also gave its members, most of whom held college degrees, the chance to participate in charitable and humanitarian activities since their opportunity to work was limited. In 1905, the club became an affiliate of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Early projects of the club consisted of internal improvement to the city of Tallahassee. These included organizing Tallahassee’s first kindergarten, supported the effort to build the first Leon High School building which opened in 1910, and funded the first library in the county. During the Great Depression, the club raised funds, bought and distributed shoes and clothing for newborn babies, and donated money to establish a health unit in the county for those who could not afford healthcare. The American Red Cross occupied the clubhouse during World War II and club members participated in a number of local efforts to support the war. Over the years, the club has also participated in city beautification and historic preservation and has awarded scholarships to college students.

The clubhouse was built in a subdivision called Los Robles, which was developed by Leon F. Lonnbladh and Albert E. Thornton. Although they envisioned a neighborhood with Mediterranean Revival style homes, the clubhouse was the only one designed in that style.

Donna Climenhage & Lea Wolfe, Ph.D. "Woman's Club of Tallahassee." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. November 18, 1987. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/3187c635-8ca7-49d1-89c5-49e6a5241c8a.

"History of the GFWC Woman's Club of Tallahassee." Woman's Club of Tallahassee. Accessed May 10, 2015. http://www.gfwcwomanscluboftallahassee.org/history.