Collection: Harmonious Club

The Harmonious Club was formed in 1901 by a group of young friends to add some social interaction to their busy domestic lives. Initially the club focused on literary studies, parties, games and picnics. But, like most women clubs, their missions started including community and national service.

During WWI the women of the Harmonious club knitted socks, made kit bags, blankets and bandages for the RED Cross for our soldier boys fighting in Europe. They once again served the country during WWII by making necessary items for the US troops. During the Vietnam War the club sent gifts to soldiers as well as other acts of patriotism.

Complete history of the club.

History of the Woman's Club Movement in the United States.

The club movement is an American women's social movement that started in the mid-19th century and spread throughout the United States. It established the idea that women had a moral duty and responsibility to transform public policy. While women's organizations had existed earlier, it was not until the Progressive era (1896–1917) that they came to be considered a movement. The first wave of the club movement during the progressive era was started by white, middle-class, Protestant women, and a second phase was led by African-American women.

These clubs, most of which had started out as social literary gatherings, eventually became a source of reform for various issues in the U.S. Both African-American and white women's clubs were involved with issues surrounding education, temperance, child labor, juvenile justice, legal reform, environmental protection, library creation and more. Women's clubs helped start many initiatives such as kindergartens and juvenile court systems. Later, women's clubs tackled issues like women's suffrage, lynching and family planning. The clubs allowed women, who had little political standing at the time, to gain greater influence in their communities. As women gained more rights, the need for clubs to exercise political and social influence became less important. Over time, participation in women's clubs has waned in the United States. However, many clubs still continue to operate and influence their communities.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_club_movement_in_the_United_States