Collection on the Thursday Study Club

The Thursday Study Club was organized in November 1899 by nine neighbor women with the goal of improving themselves. It was originally called the Neighborhood Current Events Club or Magazine Current Events Club. In 1905 the name was changed to the Thursday Study Club and topics of study moved beyond geographical regions to include a wider variety. The constitution and bylaws were ratified on May 29, 1900. The club was federated in 1901.

The charter members were: Mrs. K. P. B. McKinzie, President; Mrs. H. H. Freeman, Secretary; Mrs. Birch, Mrs. Riley, Mrs. Callree, Mrs. Pect, Mrs. J. F. Morehouse and Mrs. George W. Cooley. Other notable members included Mrs. O.D. Wisner and Mrs. H.G. Richardson. Membership was limited to 40 women. Meetings were typically held at the home of one of the members on alternate Thursdays from September through April. Most topics of study fell under the category "The World of Today." The purpose of the meetings was to "gain intellectual development through free discussion."

During World War I the club served as a Red Cross unit.