It’s November! Do you know about the club?
What's It Wednesdays
ACHC #1985.491.7
The 1890’s to 1920’s, was a time of social action and political reform in the U.S. The women’s club movement was a natural outgrowth. Women formed groups to discuss and advocate for suffrage, temperance, education, conservation, and to better their communities.
On November 7, 1888, Elizabeth Handy hosted a group of women in her home to
“discuss the desirability of a forming the first woman’s club in Andover.” The fifteen women attending were among the most “well educated, enterprising and socially elite women” in Andover. They quickly agreed to form a club for “social and literary advantages.”
The November Club name was chosen to mark the founding month. A constitution was drafted, membership dues established, and interest departments formed. Departments of social studies, music, art, and literature were based on particular talents of the women and provided the weekly lectures and discussions.
Interest in the club grew quickly. Member, Mrs. McKeen, Headmistress Abbot Academy, offered Abbot Hall for meetings until The November Club was able to find a more suitable place.
In addition to the weekly meetings, The November Club also reached out to the Andover community and held fund-raising events for local charities and to raise money for the club’s dream to have their own clubhouse.
ACHC #1981.170.1
On February 22, 1892, the dedication of The November Club’s new clubhouse took place at what is now 6 Locke Street (then called Love Lane). The land had been sold to them by William Goldsmith, father of Bessie, one of the founding women. The building is said to be the first women's organization clubhouse built in New England. It was filled with statues, art and furnishings given by the members.
The Club gave the community access to classes, lectures, plays, concerts, art shows, banquets and teas. They supported the Arts and established a yearly Art Scholarship for an Andover High School student. And there was dance instruction -"providing a piece of civility for the children who were in their uncivilized adolescence." Later in the 1980’s, the dance classes were revived to “afford fifth and sixth grade students an opportunity to learn ballroom and disco dancing in an atmosphere of graciousness and fun.”
Andover Townsman ad October 15 1981
The November Club had over 500 members in the 1950’s. Then membership began to drop. In November 1985, with a few dozen members remaining, The Club sold the Locke St. clubhouse to the Unitarian Universalist Church. The money went into a fund to continue the Art Scholarship program. Meetings continued in the former clubhouse until 1989. By 2006, membership had dwindled to three women who administered the scholarship program. That June, the final three scholarships were given out. The November Club ended.
Do you remember The November Club? I'd love to hear from you.