Worcester Reform Club.

The Worcester Reform Club was founded in 1876 by Dr. Henry A. Reynolds ( - ) and incorporated in 1907 as a temperance club. The organization held weekly meetings at its Reading Room at 414 Main Street, during which a roll call was taken, violations of the abstinence pledge were reported by members or by an investigative committee (which resulted in dismissal from the club), treasurer's reports were studied, and new members were accepted. Occasionally, badges for length of membership were awarded, and the members heard lectures on temperance. The club was also politically active, lobbying for temperance bills. Its leadership also denounced the habit of swearing among the members. During the first thirty years, there were 7,000 members.