Our Beginnings
Until the turn of the 20th century, Victorian decorum had relegated women to Sewing Bees, Choral Groups, and Art and Literary Clubs.
However, by 1901 a group of Smith College alumnae, dissatisfied with these limited pursuits, formed an organization with one hundred and two women graduates of all colleges for "mutual intercourse and social purposes."
In 1906 a Scholarship Fund was established and the first scholarship was awarded. Members decided that scholarships would be given to girls living in the St. Louis area selected by a committee on the basis of scholarship excellence, general ability and need for financial help during their freshman year. Thus beginning the work for which the College Club is known to this day.
We are grateful to those who came before us.
College Club Members in 1938
Styles of grandma's day in a style show in May 1938.
Mrs. Raymond C. Bond, Miss Jesse Ryan, Mrs. John A. Grunik
and Mrs. H.P. Stellwagon.
College Club Members in 1941
College Club Members in 1941
College Club Members in 1941
Committee for the benefit production "There Shall Be No Night" starring Lunt and Fontanne on March 18, 1941 were Mrs. George C. Hetlage, Mrs. Hugo M. Krueger, Mrs. Chester W. Kotsrean, Mrs. W.J. Hedley, Mrs. Harold P. Davison and Mrs. .J. Keane
College Club Members in 1942
College Club Members in 1941
College Club Members in 1941
WWII Job Information Center. Miss Lilian Stupp, Mrs. Logan R. Fuller, Miss Cecelia Lee Fine, Miss Leona J. Beckman and Mrs. Arthur Sherwood consulted with John L. Porter.
College Club Members in 1952
College Club Members in 1952
College Club Members in 1952
Séance scene from "Ladies in Waiting". Mrs. Belmont Gummels, Mrs. H.J. Keane, Mrs. L.P. Floerchinger, Mrs. Vincent Townsend and Mrs. Edward F. Kercher.
1953 Scholarship Recipiants
College Club Members in 1952
College Club Members in 1952
Mrs. Harry J. O'Neill presented scholarships to Betty J. Trower, Southwest High School; Margaret Finley, Ritenour; Judith Benseik, Normandy and Carol Lefmann, Normandy.
Nomadic Life of the College Club
1901 - 1903
The first meetings of the College Club were held in the Conservatorium at 3677 Olive Street.
1903 -1904
Meetings were held at a flat at 4151 Maryland Avenue.
1905 - 1909
After meting in members' homes for a year Miss Philips offered her school at 3645 Washington Avenue.
1909 - 1913
Meetings were held in the alumni room at Central High School.
1913 - 1914
The Sheldon Memorial at 3645 Washington Boulevard was a temporary home.
1915 - 1922
A return to Central High and the beginning of serious fundraising for a home of its own.
1922 - 1967
Th Blodgett residence shown above was purchased and in 1944 the mortgage was paid in full!
1967 - 2007
No longer able to keep up the building, the Club rented space at the University Club Building on Grand and Washington and moved with it to 1034 S. Brentwood in 1975.
2007 - Present
The sudden closure of the University Club sent members on a search for another meeting place, and they began holding meetings at Sunset Country Club.
