Franklin Book Club enjoys 125th anniversary
Published 9:09 am Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Pictured are 10 of the 12 current members of the Franklin Book Club, which has existed for 125 years as of this November. From left, front row, are Suzanne Duffey, Carol Majors, Margaret Mackan, Helen Capati; back row, Betsy Bradshaw, Judy Livesay, Linda Burkett, Betsy Brantley, Brucie Standahl and Nancy Blythe. Members not pictured are Anne Bryant and Lou Ventura. (Photo submitted by the Franklin Book Club)
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One hundred twenty five years ago this month, 13 ladies got together and formed the Franklin Book Club.
It started as a social gathering. Then the ladies began exchanging books at the meetings and talked about the books that they were reading. In 1899 they were feeling the need for intellectual stimulation and socialization. In the 1890s women weren’t in the position they are in today, and it was a place for them to express themselves.
The first meeting was at the home of Mrs. M.E. Bogart. Mrs. L. Ross Jones organized the group. It was noted, “No one would dare plan a trip to Norfolk to shop on Book Club day,” and no one did. They took their membership seriously.
The club developed a few years later into a study group. As the years passed the women adopted a more academic approach. A theme was chosen. There were many different topics from Glimpses of Present Day Literature, Women in World War II, The Gilded Age, Shakespeare, Mystery. One year the topic was Paris and the club traveled to Paris.
The club is still going strong today, 125 years later, and still follows the same approach. A theme is chosen by a committee. The members are assigned or choose a book that has to do with the theme for that year. When it is a given member’s turn, they host the ladies, usually in their home. Dessert and coffee are served. The host then presents the report on the book that she has read and information on the author. Much interesting conversation follows.
Something that has changed is that the women no longer wear hats and gloves. They even use paper napkins instead of cloth ones sometimes.
Years ago one of the members said that “no gossip, no jealousy, no unkind words has entered the club, and I hope it never will.”
The charter members were Mrs. L. Ross Jones, Mrs. M.E. Bogart, Miss Claudia Barrett, Mrs. J.V. Boone, Otelia Lee Gay, Miss Nelle Bryant, Mrs. R.J. Camp, Miss Blanche Edwards, Mrs. J.E. Moyler, Mrs. R.A. Pretlow, Mrs. John Pretlow, Mrs. W.W. Walker, Mrs. W.T. Woodley and Mrs. J.F. Bryant Jr.
The club of 12 ladies is still going strong. They still don’t go shopping on Book Club day.
