In 1939, a group of ninety young women began sharing their cultural, social,
civic and philanthropic morals, along with a strong desire to serve the needy,
support our community and foster new friendships. What began as a Mother’s
Club at Leland School soon became The Elm Grove Woman’s Club.
In the beginning, monthly meetings were held in local schools, and even the
local taverns! Their major activity was making beanbags for sick children at the
Children’s Hospital, and during World War II, bandage rolling, and other civilian
wartime efforts filled their time. The chorus helped to create a lighter mood,
and in 1943 the first “Elm Grove Directory” was printed and distributed to the
community as a public service.
By 1954, the membership had grown to 400 strong, and a larger meeting place
was desired. A dream was finally realized when a twelve-year old colonial
Lutheran Church on Plank Road was for sale. Fundraising activities were
created to raise money for the purchase - dances, luncheons, style shows, and
rummage sales – many things we continue to do today. The clubhouse was
offered for rent to private parties, and the proceeds from our fundraising
helped fund the “ballroom” addition, which debuted in 1959. An exquisite
crystal chandelier was ordered for the center of the ballroom, and a formal
dance, “The Chandelier Ball”, was held to acquire the funds for this purchase.
The fixture was “paid in full” that evening, and since then, “The Chandelier Ball
has become the fundraising social event of the year.
Since the beginning in 1939, the Elm Grove Woman’s Club has grown and
flourished. Our organization has provided funding and durable goods for local
educational institutions, hospitals, charitable organizations, community-based
activities, and the volunteer services of our village government.
Today, the dream lives on. The clubhouse, with its’ distinctive exterior and
elegant interior sits contentedly on Watertown Plank Road. Our club of over
300 women continues as a testament to the group of women who yearned to
give to others by giving of themselves. Although there have been many
changes throughout the years, the spirit, energy and generosity of those 90
young women still prevail.
civic and philanthropic morals, along with a strong desire to serve the needy,
support our community and foster new friendships. What began as a Mother’s
Club at Leland School soon became The Elm Grove Woman’s Club.
In the beginning, monthly meetings were held in local schools, and even the
local taverns! Their major activity was making beanbags for sick children at the
Children’s Hospital, and during World War II, bandage rolling, and other civilian
wartime efforts filled their time. The chorus helped to create a lighter mood,
and in 1943 the first “Elm Grove Directory” was printed and distributed to the
community as a public service.
By 1954, the membership had grown to 400 strong, and a larger meeting place
was desired. A dream was finally realized when a twelve-year old colonial
Lutheran Church on Plank Road was for sale. Fundraising activities were
created to raise money for the purchase - dances, luncheons, style shows, and
rummage sales – many things we continue to do today. The clubhouse was
offered for rent to private parties, and the proceeds from our fundraising
helped fund the “ballroom” addition, which debuted in 1959. An exquisite
crystal chandelier was ordered for the center of the ballroom, and a formal
dance, “The Chandelier Ball”, was held to acquire the funds for this purchase.
The fixture was “paid in full” that evening, and since then, “The Chandelier Ball
has become the fundraising social event of the year.
Since the beginning in 1939, the Elm Grove Woman’s Club has grown and
flourished. Our organization has provided funding and durable goods for local
educational institutions, hospitals, charitable organizations, community-based
activities, and the volunteer services of our village government.
Today, the dream lives on. The clubhouse, with its’ distinctive exterior and
elegant interior sits contentedly on Watertown Plank Road. Our club of over
300 women continues as a testament to the group of women who yearned to
give to others by giving of themselves. Although there have been many
changes throughout the years, the spirit, energy and generosity of those 90
young women still prevail.
| 2009 Copyright, Elm Grove Womans Club, Elm Grove, Wisconsin Questions: admin@egwc.org |