Woman's Club of Gulfport

Woman's Club of Gulfport - History

Ninety two years ago 19 young women founded the Woman's Club of Gulfport. That same year they were federated, and in 1917 they were incorporated. In 1929 the club purchased a lot on 23rd Avenue south of the Markham Hotel. An existing house on the Markham property was included in the sale and moved to the newly purchased lot, painted and landscaped, all at the seller's expense. The club enjoyed this clubhouse, often sharing it with the Junior Woman's Club of Gulfport, until 1969 when Hurricane Camille destroyed the building an all its contents. In 1972 Mr. Will Rich, a resident of the Markham Hotel and brother to a member of The Woman's Club, became the club's benefactor, building a beautiful brick home for the club on East Beach Boulevard and furnishing it throughout from Gulfport's prestegious Clower Furniture Company. This clubhouse was the pride of the club until tragically, in 2005, this clubhouse was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The objective of the organization was, and is today, to promote the social, educational, domestic, philanthropic interests, contribute to civic improvement and follow the ideals and goals of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The founders of the club referred to themselves as a "culture" club. Meetings were held in the afternoon followed by a formal tea. Dress included hat and gloves. Through the years The Woman's Club and The Gulfport Garden Club have shared a majority of The Garden Club's membership, allowing them to use their clubhouse.

In 1997 the club invited The Southern Women's Club (formerly Junior Woman's Club) to join and become a part of The Woman's Club of Gulfport often referred to as the "Senior" Woman's club. Meeting time was moved to morning to enable the young mothers to attend while their children were in school, and were invited to bring their pre-schoolers to the meetings. After 82 years the afternoon teas became morning coffee sessions.

23rd Avenue - 1929 to 1969