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.

In 1897, the club became a charter member of the newly established Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. According to the club's minutes, on March 5 of the same year, the treasurer "reported purchase of a tin trunk - price $1.50…for the archives, and other books, etc. pertaining to the work of the club." Members were required to place their papers in the trunk. Anyone who failed to do so was fined one dollar. The contents of the trunk were donated to the Austin History Center in March, 1977 by Mrs. Lloyd Lockridge.

Over the next two decades, the club's membership grew to twenty-five. As a result, the club's interests and concerns broadened to include the arts as well as civic, educational, and philanthropic issues. The club played an important financial role in establishing the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs headquarters in Austin, the District Federation of Women's Clubs, the Red Cross Emergency Fund, the Red Cross War Chest, Big Bend National Park, and the Endowment Fund of the Austin Public Library. During the mid -1920's, the club contributed $6,000 toward the purchase of the North-Evans House for the Austin Woman's Club.

During World War II, the club's topics once again broadened to include international affairs. This trended continued over the next two decades to include U.S. relations with Canada as well as developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Membership declined somewhat during the 1960s and 70s and the club's focus shifted once again, this time to the preservation of historic artifacts, particularly in the downtown area. Members disapproved of and voiced concern over controversial remodeling work done to the State Capitol Building in 1970 and, a year later, participated in the campaign to save the Driskill Hotel from closing. In more recent times, the club's interests have shifted to reflect contemporary issues in science, technology, medicine and culture.

From the guide to the American History Club Records AR. O. 004., 1893-2005, 1893-1902, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )