The Woman's Club of Fayetteville
Encyclopedia
The Woman's Club of Fayetteville is a charitable society founded in 1906 in Fayetteville
, North Carolina
. The Club is responsible for the first library in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, North Carolina. The Woman's Club is located in Fayetteville's Heritage Square
and is dedicated to its restoration and preservation.
The club is responsible for the first library in Fayetteville, launched between 1907 and 1910 on the second floor of the Market House. Private donations filled the shelves until the 1910 book reception from which the available book number rose to 725 books. At that time, subscription rates were $2.00/family, $1.50 for individuals, and $0.50 for children. The library became public (and free for all Cumberland county residents) on December 18, 1933.
During World War II, the Woman's Club opened their doors to provide a home for unmarried working women flooding into the city at that time. Thirty young, single women, a housemother and hostess packed the four bedrooms with dormitory type furniture to serve their needs. The Woman's Club also provided space for any other women's organization to meet in the house free of charge in an effort to accommodate the town's growing need for social outlets.
In 1941, the club purchased the "Slocumb House" but later renamed it the "Sandford House." Thirty years later, the club petitioned the National Register of Historic Places to make the Sandford House, the Oval Ballroom (a relocated free-standing room), and the Nimocks House historic landmarks. All three buildings are located on Heritage Square
in Fayetteville. In 1972 and 1973, the petitions were granted. Today, the club restores and maintains these historic landmarks on Heritage Square, open to the public by appointment.
. The three buildings that comprise Heritage Square are on the National Register of Historic Places
in the United States.
According to the 2007-2008 Woman's Club president, the club works to preserve Heritage Square with no government grants. During 2007, repairs such as painting to historical standards and replacing structural beams were completed at a cost of over $100,000. Restoration of the Nimocks House and gardens follow.
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The Club is responsible for the first library in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, North Carolina. The Woman's Club is located in Fayetteville's Heritage Square
Heritage Square (of Fayetteville NC)
Heritage Square is a place in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Owned and maintained by The Woman's Club of Fayetteville, Heritage Square includes the Sandford House, built in 1797; the Oval Ballroom, a freestanding single room built in 1818; and the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks House, constructed in 1804...
and is dedicated to its restoration and preservation.
History
The Woman’s Club of Fayetteville was founded on November 6, 1906, as the Civic Improvement Association (a.k.a. Woman's Civic Improvement League). Originally, its goal was to protest the proposed destruction of the Market House, a historical city building. According to club literature, it wasn't until 1920 that it was named "The Woman's Club".The club is responsible for the first library in Fayetteville, launched between 1907 and 1910 on the second floor of the Market House. Private donations filled the shelves until the 1910 book reception from which the available book number rose to 725 books. At that time, subscription rates were $2.00/family, $1.50 for individuals, and $0.50 for children. The library became public (and free for all Cumberland county residents) on December 18, 1933.
During World War II, the Woman's Club opened their doors to provide a home for unmarried working women flooding into the city at that time. Thirty young, single women, a housemother and hostess packed the four bedrooms with dormitory type furniture to serve their needs. The Woman's Club also provided space for any other women's organization to meet in the house free of charge in an effort to accommodate the town's growing need for social outlets.
In 1941, the club purchased the "Slocumb House" but later renamed it the "Sandford House." Thirty years later, the club petitioned the National Register of Historic Places to make the Sandford House, the Oval Ballroom (a relocated free-standing room), and the Nimocks House historic landmarks. All three buildings are located on Heritage Square
Heritage Square (of Fayetteville NC)
Heritage Square is a place in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Owned and maintained by The Woman's Club of Fayetteville, Heritage Square includes the Sandford House, built in 1797; the Oval Ballroom, a freestanding single room built in 1818; and the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks House, constructed in 1804...
in Fayetteville. In 1972 and 1973, the petitions were granted. Today, the club restores and maintains these historic landmarks on Heritage Square, open to the public by appointment.
Maintenance and restoration projects
Today, the Woman's Club restores and preserves Fayetteville's Heritage SquareHeritage Square (of Fayetteville NC)
Heritage Square is a place in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Owned and maintained by The Woman's Club of Fayetteville, Heritage Square includes the Sandford House, built in 1797; the Oval Ballroom, a freestanding single room built in 1818; and the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks House, constructed in 1804...
. The three buildings that comprise Heritage Square are on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in the United States.
According to the 2007-2008 Woman's Club president, the club works to preserve Heritage Square with no government grants. During 2007, repairs such as painting to historical standards and replacing structural beams were completed at a cost of over $100,000. Restoration of the Nimocks House and gardens follow.
See also
- Heritage SquareHeritage Square (of Fayetteville NC)Heritage Square is a place in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Owned and maintained by The Woman's Club of Fayetteville, Heritage Square includes the Sandford House, built in 1797; the Oval Ballroom, a freestanding single room built in 1818; and the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks House, constructed in 1804...
of Fayetteville - Market House of Fayetteville