Help Save History

Have you ever looked at one of those old Shacklett's photos and admired the structure and thought, if we only had that today! Members of the Woman's Club of Murfreesboro are starting a fundraiser to preserve their historic 1856 home at 221 East College Street.

Woman's Club President Diane Summar said, "The house is in need of extensive and expensive repairs. The Woman's Club has, until now, been totally self supporting, but we are now in need of help from our neighbors and friends."

Why Does This House Matter?

It is one of the few remaining Italianate-style houses in downtown Murfreesboro.

The Woman's Club Library contains over 3,500 volumes from the first public lending library in Rutherford County, dating back to 1887y and continuing until the formation of Linebaugh Public Library in 1948.

Summar commented, "Our library and its vast collection of rare, out of print, and first edition books and periodicals provides a resource for local historians and others needing access to literary works not available elsewhere."

It was pointed out that the house also provides dozens of literary and educational programs annually for members of the community.

First Vice President Jane Blakey knows the work involved with keeping an old home in good repair. She lives next door in a home that takes an on-going determination to preserve and keep current.

As with any old structure, roofs need repairing, windows are always in need of caulking, and so on.

Dinner May 12, 2018 at 5:30PM

That's why the Woman's Club is having a HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDRAISER for a dinner Saturday night, May 12, 2018. It will begin at 5:30 that evening at Dallas & Jane Restaurant. Chef Alex Belew's new upscale eatery is located at 352 West Northfield Boulevard, suit 4-F. Tickets are $100 per person and available at www.eventbrite.com.

Mayor Shane McFarland and his wife Ashley will attend the inaugural fundraising event, and he will share comments dealing with the importance of preserving Murfreesboro's history.

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 $16,125.

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."

Original Incorporators (1916)

Mrs. W. B. Earthman
Mrs. R. W. Vickers
Mrs. Mahlon Brown
Mrs. W. C. Covington
Mrs. D. P. Perkins
Miss Lorene Nelson
Mrs. W. A. Ransom, Sr.
Mrs. E. H. Tatum
Mrs. G. B. Giltner