Imagine the expense of keeping-up a 162-year old home. The Woman's Club of Murfreesboro is seeing that with their 1856 Italianate-style home on the corner of West College and North Academy Streets.

Woman's Club President Diane Summar said, "The house is in need of extensive and expensive repairs totaling around $400,000."

She continued . . .

On Saturday evening, they packed the new Dallas & Jane Restaurant at 352 West Northfield Boulevard. Chef Alex Belew prepared a 6-course gourmet dinner.

Mayor Shane McFarland and his wife Ashley attended the Woman's Club of Murfreesboro's inaugural fundraising event, and he shared comments dealing with the importance of preserving Murfreesboro's history.

Public Encouraged To Attend Next Fund Raiser

Sunday, July 22, 2018 (2-6PM)
The Alley on Main (223 West Main St.)

History

The Woman's Club of Murfreesboro was incorporated July 22, 1916, and that's when they purchased the old Haynes' home at 221 East College Street for $6,125.

Prior to that, the local women started meeting back in 1887 at various home around town to discuss literature.

According to the Rutherford County Historical Society, "The ladies' first book for discussion was "Ramona" by Helen Hunt Jackson, a popular romantic novel set in southern California. As a result, they called themselves the Helen Jackson Club. To promote reading and literacy, the ladies began purchasing and collecting books which they offered on loan to local residents. Initially, the Library Association collection was kept on an empty counter in the Booker Smith Drug Store. Books were loaned without charge, but families were encouraged to join the association (annual dues were 50 cents). When the book collection outgrew the drug store counter, it was moved to the Mason Court building on East Main Street. The association also contributed to the area's cultural development by bringing prominent authors, lecturers and musicians for public programs."

Tax Deductible

The Woman's Club of Murfreesboro is a 501 (c)(3) organization and your donations are tax exempt. For more information, phone 615-893-5822

HERE IS THE COMPLETE CONVERSATION with President Diane G. Summar.