Riverside Culture Club records

On November 11, 1902, a group of women from Riverside in Muncie, Indiana met to form a club for women in the area. On that day, nine ladies were present in the home of Mrs. Frank Mann: Mrs. C. E. Crandall, Mrs. H. O. Hoppes, Mrs. Frank Gorton, Mrs. James Orr, Mrs. F. A. Shaw, Mrs. Fred Crandall Mrs. Roy Martin, Mrs. F. A. Neff, and Mrs. Frank Williams. The first officers were Mrs. Mann as President and Mrs. Neff as Secretary Treasurer. Initially, the group called themselves the Culture Club, as suggested by Mrs. Fred Crandall, but later was changed to the Riverside Culture Club.

In 1904, the club became a member of the Delaware County Federation of Clubs. In 1905, it adopted its first constitution. According to the constitution, objectives of the club were the promotion of intellectual and social improvement of its members and the assistance in civic and welfare interests of the community. It was decided that meetings would be held every two weeks on Wednesdays. The club joined the Indiana State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1906.

During the first ten years, members presented programs on topics such as travel, religion, domestic science, art, various women throughout the ages, and parliamentary procedure. However, literature was the most heavily discussed subject during most of the meetings. Often members read books or papers and gave reviews of these works.

Throughout its existence, the group made financial contributions to causes such as the Visiting Nurse Association, the New Castle Hospital, the Red Cross, and the Camp Isanogel Fund. During the late 1950's and early 1960's, the club sold goods made by the Board of Industrial Aid and Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind. Members also did sewing at Ball Memorial Hospital and made cancer pads for the Cancer Society as community projects. Other club activities included luncheons, tours, plays, holiday celebrations, and annual picnics and anniversary parties.

The club disbanded in 1975 due to the aging membership. This collection was donated by Mrs. John Lewellen, daughter of the last president of the club, Julia M. Harris.