Our History

On November 17, 1944, a city wide conference called the Better Citizenship Conference was held at St. John's Methodist Church.  It's purpose was to bring together women of Lubbock who were participating in various clubs and organizations.  The discussions centered around women's responsibilities in community affairs.  One of the topics discussed was the plan for a women's clubhouse in Lubbock where various groups could meet.  The motion was made by Mrs. George Berry, who subsequently became a LWC President, that a committee be named to continue an investigation for a clubhouse and to organize the group to carry out the business of such an undertaking.  The motion carried and The Lubbock Women's Club was born.  In the months to follow, they were very busy.  Committees looked into building sites, financing, chartering, and operating plans. On February 10, 1945, the Better Citizenship Conference met at which time the women of Lubbock came together from their various clubs and organizations for a joint session.  The keynote speaker was the Honorable Judge Sarah T. Hughes (the Judge who swore in Lyndon Baines Johnson as President of the United States aboard the Air Force One in Dallas).  Following her address, it was moved that the group proceed with the elections of a Board of Managers for the Purpose of acquiring, maintaining, and operating a building to be the headquarters for the activities of the women's clubs of Lubbock.  The motion carried and the long search for the proper place and the struggle of fundraising began in great earnest. On February 28, 1945, the first Board meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Arch Underwood, who is today a Life member of the Club.  There were twenty two clubs who had charter memberships.  They are now known as Participating Clubs.  The first minutes record the fact that Mrs. R. O. Short proposed the following quote, "The name of the club building for Lubbock be called The Lubbock Women's Club".  The motion carried and so it is.   Click to jump to the next column

From 1945 to August 10, 1949, when the building was purchased, thee first ladies worked diligently with various places and homes around Lubbock to keep the organization together, always with the vision of a clubhouse before them.  On August 10, 1949, the Plains Funeral Home was purchased for the sum of $50,000.00, and so the ladies of Lubbock had their dream came true.  The Tea Room was added in 1957. In August, 1979, the building was designated as a historical landmark and in May, 1982, a presentation of a plaque was made to The Lubbock Women's Club by the Historical Landmark and Historical Preservation Commission.  In May, 1982, a new addition to the Tea Room and a new kitchen was built at The Lubbock Women's Club. The Lubbock Women's Club Historical Foundation was established in 1999 as an organization.  The foundation is dedicated to conservation efforts aimed at preserving the historic structure and furnishings of The Lubbock Women's Club.  The original structure and many of the furnishings possess historical and/or architectural significance. Through its assistance in conserving, preserving restoring, and maintaining the building, The Lubbock Women's Club Historical Foundation will assist the Lubbock Community's efforts toward preserving, protecting, and promoting the historic and architectural character and heritage of Broadway and the city of Lubbock. Originally established for women only, this was changed on June 13, 1988, by striking the sentence from the by-laws stipulating that the Club was for women only. The Lubbock Historical Foundation helps preserve, protect and promote the historic and architectural character of the building.  Donations to the Historical Foundation are tax deductible and help retain today’s elegance. Clubs whose objectives coincide with those of The Lubbock Women’s Club are eligible for membership as Participating Clubs. We welcome those who share a desire to maintain our historic building for the social and cultural benefit of residents of this Hub City and surrounding areas of the South Plains.

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Website Edited: 09/01/10

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