DADE CITY, Fla. — An organization with a storied past is celebrating a big milestone this year.
The Dade City Woman’s Club recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of its historic clubhouse in May. Since 1909, the organization has been a key contributor to the local community. To this day, it’s still carrying the same mission after all these years.
“It’s a vehicle to do good in the community,” said Emma Richter, the club’s president.
The Dade City Woman’s Club building has been a cornerstone of the community.
“This is one of my favorite things,” says Richter, while standing inside, flipping through pages of history. “This is the typed up — so from a typewriter — notes from Dolly Hendley for her 17 years as president.”
Decades of artifacts lie on a table. But none might be as impressive as the actual building they reside in.
“It was built May 17, 1925, and it has been the Woman’s Club for that whole time, never anything else,” said Richter. “People have had so many experiences here. It’s been rented for weddings and retirement parties and school dances and fundraisers.”
One hundred years and counting. The building, Richter said, has hosted many events and witnessed so much in its century of existence.
“We have our newspaper here, which is from January 2, 1926. This is important because this article talks about laying the cornerstone of the building and putting the time capsule in behind the cornerstone. So that’s really cool.”
It has been a place for women to get involved and make a difference.
“We have a ton of strong women that are part of this,” said Michelle Denham, community chair for the club. “Leaders in our community as well as those that are leading the charge on just making a difference and thinking beyond just themselves. I love to be around those people. You are who you hang out with, and it’s a great group of women, for sure.”
From buying a bomber in 1944 to filling backpacks in 2007, the club continues to make a difference in the community today. That difference was recently recognized at its 100th anniversary celebration.
“What made it so significant is we just received a $300,000 grant from the state of Florida,” said Julie Cotton, club treasurer. “At the time, it was a Florida senator, Wilton Simpson, who is now the Commissioner of Agriculture. He really gave a big push and helped us to get this funding so that we could preserve the beautiful building.”
Money from the grant will be used to help modernize the facility. A big gesture made to a club that has had an even larger impact.
“That’s what we all hope is to continue to pay that forward by continuing to take wonderful care of this building,” said Cotton. “To have a great place for our club members to meet but also for the community to enjoy.”
Hoping to do good in the community for another 100 years.
The Dade City Woman’s Clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents and guests can still rent out the building for events and weddings. You can learn more when you visit the club’s website.
Calvin Lewis
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