|
 |
|
|
54 years - many thousands of warm handclasps - countless friendly smiles - vast amounts of stimulating conversation - volumes of interesting programs - good deeds too numerous to mention - that's the history of the Hawthorne Club. Today we shall recall only a small part of that history - that part dealing with our libraries.
It isn't impossible for us to visualize twelve women who realized the need for a constructive group taking the necessary steps to arrive at that goal. And so the Hawthorne club was organized with Mrs. Helen Hutchings as its first President and with membership dues of $1.00 per year.
The Hawthorne Club programs have always been varied and interesting. From its 1905 yearbook, we learn that during that first year they studied such things as Government in Japan; The Women of Japan: the Czar and his Family; The Russian Jew; Christmas in Other lands; The Life of Winston Churchill. Book reviews also played an important part in their programs with the members reviewing such familiar books as "The Prospector"; "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm"; "Soldiers of Fortune"; "The Right of Way"; "The Man Without a Country"; "The Crisis". This represents only part of their program for that first year. There were current events and quotations too. The first bylaws read in part "each member shall answer roll call with a quotation and shall shall read or tell a current event at each meeting. The penalty for violating this rule shall be 5 cents for current events and a penny for quotations".
The club's first serious step was in 1907 when it discussed establishing a Library in the Argentine High School building under construction. They held a book social and each member contributed a book for the library and arrived at the social dressed to represent a character in the book. 28 books were realized in this manner. Can't you picture the satisfaction it must have been to those women when they visited the school on October 20, 1908 to see the result of their efforts? Later a modern encyclopedia costing $43.00 was purchased and added to the library collection. In addition, a portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne, size 16 x 20, costing $4.90 was presented to the school.
For its next step, in 1910, the club rented the Gulley Building on Metropolitan between 21st and 22nd streets to be used as a public library. The first librarian was Miss Hazel Beeler whose salary was paid by the Board of Education. Later, in 1918, a gift of $25,000 from the Carnegie Foundation was secured by the community for a branch library and contributions toward maintaining this new building were made by many civic minded people, and the Hawthorne Club donated $25.00 Later, they furnished the lounge and provided a piano. In 1920, $25.00 was donated to buy vocational training books.
In 1924, the club took steps toward securing a painting for the library. It commissioned LeRoy McMorris to paint a landscape of the Kaw Valley. Mr. McMorris used the tower of the Sauer Castle, the home of Mrs. Eva Perkins, a member of the club, for a studio. The picture "Valley of the Kaw" costing $300.00 with an additional $50.00 for framing, was presented to the Board of Education and hung in the Argentine Branch Library. This picture was mysteriously cut from its frame during the 1951 flood and has never been recovered.
Mrs. Bertha McMann, a member of the Hawthorne Club, was librarian in charge of the Argentine Branch for five years and at the main library for eight years. During this time (in 1925) she founded the vacation reading club plan for elementary school age children which has become a nation-wide activity. She also attempted to raise funds for a book wagon experiment. An equipped motor car was to make weekly or semi weekly visits to remote neighborhoods and thus carry library service to the doors of many homes far from the library building. We know that today this practice is carried on in many sections of our country. In 1932 the club placed a permanent bronze memorial tablet in the library in tribute to the memory of Mrs. McMann. Other members of our group have also served at the library - Mrs. Leo Brooks - Miss Mary Landrey- and perhaps others.
In 1929, four etchings were presented to the library - apparently these were not recovered after the flood.
Still another step forward was made in 1932 when the club, with fitting ceremony - took part in the nationwide observance of the Washington Bi-centennial by planting a memorial tree on the library grounds near the west entrance. Planted with this hard maple was a bottle, sealed against time, containing a list of its members, its officers, date of its organization, newspaper clippings and copies of two poems written for the dedication ceremony by two members of the Hawthorne Club. These poems are "George Washington, the Land Lover" by Mrs. Alberta McMahon Sherwin, and "Trees" by Mrs. Leona Davidson.
In 1935 a Colorado landscape by Walter Alexander Bailey was purchased and hung in the library. After the 1951 flood, the club had the picture retouched and reframed and again placed in the library. In addition, new wicker furniture for a reading lounge was purchased after this flood.
It is interesting to note how these activities, as well as its many other philanthropic undertakings were financed. Certainly it couldn't have been accomplished on $1.00 per year membership fees and penalties of nickels and pennies. According to the early minute books of the club, many many afternoon programs, or as they called them "socials" were held to raise money. In addition, such talented members as Mrs. McMann gave recitals the proceeds of which were either entirely or partially turned over to the club. At one time, the services of a Kansas University Professor were engaged, and he gave dramatic readings at the Congregational Church - tickets were sold and $21.50 was cleared. At another time it was proposed that each member earn a dollar during the summer and report back at the first fall meeting telling how these dollars were earned - $24.00 was collected in this manner. Picture shows at the local theater were sponsored - special assessments were taken. A picture fund was started before "Valley of the Kaw" was purchased into which members paid 10 cents or more each meeting, and business firms and individuals donated toward the painting.
Certainly we Hawthorne Club members should be proud of the history of our club. That motto they chose back in 1905 "Step by Step" might well have been giant step by giant step for that most surely represents the method in which they went forward.
* * * * *