Giant oaks from little acorns grow
So great libraries from a one-shelf row
Ladies with a passion, and a mission to share
I wonder if they saw us now, would they shout: "I DECLARE!!!"
Sharing passion for a good book (and readily available research materials -- LOVE THE INTERNET) I salute these grand ladies and their success. Note -- if googling, you'll likely find references spelled: Women's Wednesday Club, but the marker itself is singular: Woman's Wednesday Club. It no doubt made a difference to these ladies.
Farther afield: according to the Texas Historical Atlas there is a 2nd historical marker in Bell County for the Wednesday Club, which I did NOT see to waymark (consider this an action item!):
Marker Number: 5891 18" x 28"
Marker Title: Woman's Wednesday Club
140 W. Clark St. (City Hall) Bartlett, TX (Bell County)
What began in 1902 as an idea to organize a women's club with a focus on literature and history became a reality in April 1903, with formation of Woman's Study Club. Chartered with nineteen members under the leadership of Mrs. Vena (Holzgraf) Hightower, the Woman's Wednesday Club of Bartlett was federated with the state organization in 1903. Over the years, the group has sponsored numerous community programs. Among its accomplishments are sponsorship of early Red Cross efforts and establishment of the town's first public library. (1986)
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That said, what about HERE!?!
Museum, Register, historical markers
The waymark opportunity drives Feng Shui folk starkers
So do click ‘nearest’ before logging’s over
For here, waymark wise, you are rolling in clover.
TARGET RICH HARDLY BEGINS TO DESCRIBE THIS AREA, even this Museum. So be sure to check out the other waymarks here for further information. For HERE, I will limit myself to the Wednesday Club information I've been able to discern:
From the listing (Texas Historical Atlas) for The Carnegie Library National Register of Historic Places:
In 1899, in the parlors of the Central Hotel (operated by the Sanctificationists, a women's religious sect), the Women's Wednesday Club met for the purpose of establishing a library for the city of Belton. Each member had been requested to donate a book at the time of the club's organization, resulting in the acquisition of some 350 books as the nucleus of the library. The club operated the first library in a small room of the hotel until those quarters became too small.
In April of 1900, the Club held another open house and again, with the invitation, there came the charge from II Timothy, "And when thou comest, bring with Thee Books". At the time of the opening of the present Carnegie Library Building, the club was able to donate to the institution some 1500 volumes. The club continued to seek funding from the Carnegie Foundation, as evidenced by copies of letters from the club's secretary dated 1899, 1902, and 1903. After the 1903 request, the group was notified that if the City of Belton agreed by resolution of council to maintain a free public library at a cost of not less than a thousand dollars a year, and provide a suitable site, then Mr. Carnegie would be pleased to furnish $10,000 to help erect a free library for the city. By proper resolution and public subscription, citizens were able to provide the lot and Mr. Carnegie forwarded his personal check.
The narrative further claims, "no building in the city but the library displays such exuberant Beaux Arts classicism" -- perhaps a nod to the ladies?
The narrative finishes:
Completed in 1904, the Carnegie Public Library has been an educational and cultural center for most of its eighty years, retaining its role as the city library until 1975. The City of Belton had severe financial difficulties for some decades after the early 1920s, and minimal public facilities were constructed in that time period. The library's lecture room/auditorium was, therefore, particularly important to the community, and provided space for lectures, little theater, graduation ceremonies, United Service Organization meetings, and dances. Additionally, civic organizations such as the Woman's Wednesday Club and the Century Club met at the Library for many years. The Library served the needs of the citizens of Belton, and people living in southern and western Bell County.
After the construction of a new public library several years ago, the Carnegie Library was designated the Bell County Museum. A gradual restoration program has resulted in the removal of later additions and modifications, and the building now looks much as it did upon completion in 1904. Of more than thirty Carnegie Libraries once found in Texas, only a dozen remain. The Belton Carnegie Library is one of the most intact and opulent of these few survivors.
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From the City of Belton 'official' History (
visit link)
HISTORY
The Lena Armstrong Public Library has served the community of Belton since 1899. The Library has occupied four locations, been called by four names and employed five Head Librarians.
IN THE BEGINNING
The Library began as the Woman’s Wednesday Club Library located in a room in the Central Hotel owned by the Sanctificationists. This group, also known as the Women’s Commonwealth, was established in 1867 when Martha McWhirter had a religious conversion which led her “to live a celibate life dedicated to helping others”.
The group consisted mainly of women and their children, and as the first women’s movement in Central Texas , they offered shelter to women in abusive relationships. The group also owned and operated the Central Hotel which brought economic growth to the community of Belton.
This first Library was filled with books donated by the members of the Woman’s Wednesday Club.
EXPANSION
When the books threatened to overrun the room in the hotel, space was rented in the Harris & Walker building on Main Street.
Miss Emma A. Lee was hired as the Librarian and the Library was open in the afternoons. The members of the Wednesday Club began to pursue the notion of having a Carnegie Library and began a persistent letter writing campaign to Andrew Carnegie, who wrote a personnel check for $10,000.
In 1905, the Carnegie Library opened at 201 North Main Street and Miss Lee moved in with 1,500 books. The Library would stay in the Carnegie building for 70 years. In 1975 the Library moved to a new building at 301 East 1st Avenue and became the Belton Public Library.
BUILDING A LEGACY
Miss Lee, the first Head Librarian retired in 1924 and Miss Loulie C. Meyer became the Librarian of the Carnegie Library.
In 1933, the Library became part of the City government, and Miss Meyer was appointed Librarian. In 1946, Miss Meyer retired and Miss Lena Armstrong became the Librarian. Miss Armstrong would serve the Library for the next 52 years.
During her tenure, Miss Armstrong built an impressive genealogy collection and compiled a large collection of family and local history. She was also a contributing author for The Story of Bell County, collected over 3,300 photos of Central Texas, and was an avid collector of local fossils.
Miss Armstrong helped many children learn to read and appreciate the Library. She encouraged children of all races and status to use the Library and be comfortable there at a time when this was not a popular notion.
HONORING DEDICATION
In In December of 1998, Miss Armstrong retired. For her service to the community and because of the deep love and respect the people of Belton had for her, the Library was renamed the Lena Armstrong Public Library in December of 1998. Miss Armstrong died in January of 1999.
In May of 1999, the Library celebrated its 100th anniversary. Kim Adele Kroll was appointed Librarian in October of 2000.
Currently the Library has 24,000 items including 2,814 genealogy texts. The Library still maintains and adds to Lena Armstrong’s files on Belton and Bell County, as well as family histories.
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Further Reading (you know you want to):
Bell County Museum: www.bellcountytx.com/Museum/
ABOUT CARNEGIE LIBRARIES (
visit link)
"The Carnegie Library in Belton" by by John Troesser (
visit link)
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY AND THE PENNY POSTCARD by John Troesser
(
visit link)
Carnigie Libraries in Texas (
visit link)