Bathgate Study Club (Bathgate, N.D.)

The Bathgate Study Club was organized on October 30, 1911 by Miss Ella M. Robertson, was Federated with the state in 1912, and with the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1914. The Bathgate Study Club initiated the "Free" Public Library June 11, 1915 when the Study Club received the Pictorial Review Prize of $250.00 for the best definition of "Home". This remained the club's primary project for many years. The library opened January 6, 1916, and for nine years the Club maintained the Free Public Library without benefit of funds from city or county. In 1937, the Club purchased and remodeled a new library building, opening it in the fall of 1937. The Club's goal was to purchase new books for the library. The library remained open until the Bathgate School District closed in 1964. The Bathgate Study Club conducted formal academic studies and held social events, fundraisers, picnics, teas, food sales, parties, concerts, rummage sales, and minstrel shows. The Club also built a community playground, gave to charities and was very supportive of World War II.