American History Club

The American History Club (AHC) was formed on December 1, 1893 by eight women for the purpose of studying United States History. The first meeting took place in the parlor of the organizations’ founder, Mrs. Bride M. Taylor (Thomas F.). Along with Mrs. Taylor, charter members included Dora F. Arthur, Laura Brush, Minnie J. Colby, Lucy L. Davis, Lizzie Freeman, Rosa freeman, Fannie Gooch Iglehar, Estelle Lewright, Laura L. Steele, Maimie Spalding. This was the second women’s group of its kind established in Austin. Three years earlier, the Pathfinders Club (AR.1994.084) was founded to promote the study literature for the purpose of mental improvement.

During the first meeting of the AHC, a temporary organization was created, bylaws and program committees were formed and membership was set to fifteen people. During the second meeting, Bride Taylor was elected president and a constitution was officially created. At this time, it was decided that meetings would be held bi-monthly and that members would present papers and answer roll call with information on a selected topic of study. The very first topic selected was "Pre-Columbian Discoveries" and two papers, to be discussed at the third meeting, were assigned: "Leif Ericsson and Other Norse Explorers" by Mesdames James J. Arthur and "Other Traditional Discoverers" by Laura Freeman.

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