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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01502 Submittal_The Miami Woman's Club• • The Miami Woman's Club Established 1900 History and Letters of Support SUBMITTED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR lTEMc&i ON /-r-oY. HISTORY OF MIAMI WOMAN"S CLUB The Miami Woman's Club and the Library had its beginning in 1900, just four years after Miami was incorporated, when a group of friends met and decided to form a club for mutual improvement and pleasure. Named The Married Ladies Afternoon Club, they planned to use their ten cents per week dues to buy books for the Library collection, and the first book purchased was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. There were twenty-one founding members, and they elected Mrs. C.W. Gardner the first president. By 1903 the club had grown to eighty members and a library collection of over one thousand volumes. In 1903 the club joined the Florida Federation of Women s Clubs, and in 1906, officially changed its name to The Woman's Club of Miami. Henry Flagler became interested in the group's activities, and in 1909 donated a lot at the corner of East Flagler Street and Second Avenue for a new clubhouse, with the stipulation that it house a free public library. The women raised the money to build the first Woman's Club and Library building which opened to the public June 1,1913. Over the next several years the scope of the club activities grew, as did the membership. Moving into civic work beyond its initial literary focus, the members planted trees on school grounds, provided travelers aid at the railroad station, organized canning clubs, and during WWI, supported the war effort on many fronts. By the 1920's, the original clubhouse was proving far too small for the varied activities and library of the group. Permission was granted by the Flagler estate to sell the clubhouse property and invest the proceeds in a new building to be named the Flagler Memorial Library and Woman's Club. The sale was consummated in June 1923, and the former Julia Tuttle home in Fort Dallas Park was rented as a temporary location for the clubwomen to meet. A site of almost two acres, beautifully located on the restricted bay front, was selected, and purchased for $77,500, as a site for the new clubhouse. The prominent local architect, August Geiger, was commissioned to design the new structure, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held at 1737 N. Bayshore Drive on March 16,1925. The first meeting was held in the auditorium of the new building March 9,1926, and it was formally dedicated December 14,1926, having survived the devastating hurricane of that year. The club continued to be involved in the growth of the city's library system throughout the 1930's, and the first floor and mezzanine of the clubhouse were rented by the city for use as the Flagler Memorial Library, even as many other branches were opened around the growing city. The mortgage on the new clubhouse was paid off and ceremoniously burned at the annual meeting in 1939, to the sounds of the Hallelujah Chorus. During the WWII years, the clubhouse was one of the busiest War Service Centers, offering classes to the public of every nature helpful to the war effort. The Building was used for innumerable public meetings and events to support the war effort and the membership held a War Bond and Stamp sale. The club celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 1950, an event followed closely by the final chapter of the Woman's Club's library services. With the opening in 1951 of the Memorial Public Library in Bay Front Park, some 17 blocks away, the 42 years of untiring service in providing libraries to the city of Miami came to an end. The Woman's Club received $10,000 from the city for the eleven thousand books housed in the clubhouse, and they were transferred to the new location. The ground floor, which had been occupied by the library, was leased to the Junior Museum of Miami in 1952. This brought thousands of children, parents and teachers to the building for the wide range of educational activities. The museum occupied the space until moving, as the renamed Museum of Science, to new facilities at Vizcaya in 1960. The International Fine Arts College signed a thirty year lease to occupy the lower three floors of the clubhouse building in 1972, and for three decades scores of art students attended classes and workshops in the building. IFC moved out in 2002, leaving behind many unsympathetic renovations and additions to the interior spaces. Throughout this period, the Woman's Club retained the fourth floor rooms for its own membership purposes. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1974, and was awarded Landmark status and named a Heritage Conservation Zoning District by the Historical and Environmental Preservation Board and the City Commission in January, 1983. Today, the Miami Woman's Club is enjoying a renaissance, thanks to the energetic leadership of its officers and board. Membership has grown to over 200, from a one-time low of only 40, and the goal is to raise funds to fully restore the building as a center, not only for the Woman's Club activities, but as a center for women's causes in Miami -Dade County. OAB Progressive Leadership CHARTER MEMBERS STANLEY KRIEGER VICE PRESIDENT DR. RON CANTWELL VICE PRESIDENT OLGA GUILARTE TREASURER ELEANOR KLUGER PAST PRESIDENT DIRECTORS PATRICIA MAYOR JORGE ESPINEL ROLAND HOWELL JUAN ROMERO CAROLE ANN TAYLOR 1633 NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33132 (305) 579-9088 FAX (305) 373-4751 E-MAIL fredjoseph@bellsouth.net OMNI ADVISORY BOARD INC. January 28, 2008 Omni CRA Board of Directors: The Omni Advisory Board supports the preservation and restoration efforts of the Miami Woman's Club, located at 1737 North Bayshore Drive. This building, first dedicated in 1926, is a handsome reminder of Miami's heritage and one of the very few historic landmarks in the area. Founded in 1900, the Miami Woman's Club established the first library in the City of Miami, and with hundreds of the women movers and shakers of the community in its membership, supported many educational, civic and cultural activities and continues to do so to this day. It is important to the quality of life in the City of Miami that this building be restored to its former glory. The Miami Woman's Club and the building it operates from is a reminder of Miami's past as we look to the future for our neighborhood. OWOMEN'S ICUND of Miami -Dade County Board of Directors Betty Weinkle Chair Lalita Airan Judith Bittel Judith Chestier Ali Codina Ronda Fuchs Sue Gallagher Jennifer Gregory Deborah Hoffman Dana Kulvin Vicki Lopez Lukis Ann Machado Joy McKenna Denise Mincey-Mills Melissa Moonves Nancy Pastroff Nancy Perez Aletha Player Ann Pope Lucia Davis Raiford Hunter Reno Ellen Shishko Rhonda Smith Jennifer Steven Debby Zabludowski Marilynn Gladstone Founder Claudia Kitchens Executive Director 2650 SW 27 Avenue Suite 303 Miami, FL 33133 (305) 441-0506 (phone) (305) 441-0406 (fax) into@womensfundmiami.ag www.WomensFundMiami.ag January 11, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: I am delighted to provide this letter of support for the Miami Women's Club on behalf of Women's Fund of Miami -Dade. The Miami Women's Club is an asset to our community and its building is an historic treasure. We look forward to hosting fundraisers and educational meetings in their beautiful event space. As a catalyst for social change and economic justice, Women's Fund makes grants to projects in the community that address the root causes of inequality and lack of opportunity for women and girls. Women's Fund provides these programs with funding, mentoring, training and other technical assistance. Women's Fund also builds community around issues of importance to women and girls and works to increase philanthropy by women for women. The Miami Women's Club is an important part of the history of women in Miami and we look forward to continue to partner with them in the future. Sincerely, Claudia C. Kitchens Executive Director IITMMETM NOV 0 2 2u07 Camillus House October 26, 2007 To Who It May Concern: D Camillus House, Inc. Sponsored by Brothers of the Good Shepherd 336 NW Fifth Street Miami, FL 33128 Mailing Address: PO Box 011829 Miami, FL 33101-1829 Tel: (305) 374-1065 Fax: (305) 372-1402 This is a letter to express the intent of Camillus House to work closely with the resources that the Miami Woman's Club has to offer. Their -membership opens a wide door to expertise we can utilize as well as the historic facility. If you need further information please don't hesitate to call me. Sincerely, Paul R. Ahr, Ph.D. President & CEO Hope is Where [112 Heart is. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Tere Garcia Chair John Messer Vice Chair Monsignor Franklyn Casale Secretary Stephen Danner Treasurer Directors Lianne Acebo Vivian Bonet Linda Quick Elizabeth Hudson Carol Fine Timothy E. Martorella Alan Ojeda Charles Rackley Naomi Bora ADVISORY BOARD Ed Bell Robert Beatty Mehdi Ghomeshi Seth Gordon John Harrison Fred Jackson Janet McAliley Barbara Romani Peter Roulhac Denis Russ 155 SOUTH MIAMI AVENUE SUITE 850 MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131 TEL: 305.371.8300 FAX: 305.371.1376 EMAIL: INFO(a,CARRFOI ; R.ORG WEBSITE: WWL \V.CARRFOUR.ORG December 3, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: Since 1900, the Miami Woman's Club, with its hundreds of members and supporters in the community has supported many educational, civic and cultural activities, including establishing the first library in the City of Miami. Carrfour Supportive Housing fully supports the efforts of the Miami Woman's Club, located at 1737 North Bayshore Drive, as the club works to preserve and restore its building. The building, built in 1926, is a beautiful reminder of Miami's heritage and one of the very few historic landmarks in the area. This landmark significantly contributes to the community and history of the city and county (City of Miami, Miami -Dade County, and State of Florida) and we hope to see it restored to its former glory. Sincerely, tephdnie Berman President 0 florida heart research institute October 19, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: This is a letter of support as well as intent for the Miami Woman's Club. The Florida Heart Research Institute is well aware of the Miami Woman's Club since we have been in business here for over 60 years. We would be delighted to rent a part of the facility to hold seminars and meetings for our Committee of Hearts. We especially have a special historical program in mind that would be a perfect fit for the historical ambiance of the Miami Woman's Club. athleen T. DuCasse CEO 4770 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500, Miami, FL 33137 11 P 305-674-3020 F 305-535-3642 ' www.floridaheart.org glade *aunl/ C- ecieica/ on c/o 409 Viscaya Avenue/Coral Gables, Florida 33134 December 1, 2007 Mrs. Noreen Timoney, President Miami Woman's Club 1737 North Bayshore Drive Miami, Florida 33132 Dear Mrs. Timoney: The Dade County Federation of Women's Clubs would like to formally express our appreciation to the Miami Woman's Club for providing meeting space for us for many decades. We are in full support of your efforts to seek funding for the restoration of your landmark building, which is probably the largest and oldest woman's club buildings in the State of Florida and one of the largest in the country. Our organization is a collection of women's clubs from all parts of Miami -Dade County and since 1916 our mission has been to bring into closer cooperation the women's organizations that we may be mutually helpful and through united effort, operate for charitable and educational purposes. We have held our luncheon meetings and educational programs and we have voted on awarding our many scholarships while gathered in the fourth floor ballroom. School children have attended events to receive awards for citizenship. Our valuable historic records are stored at the club. In short, you provide an invaluable service to the Federation and the community. Sincerely, DADE COUNTY FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS Renee Belair Corresponding Secretary 4/o.na.'v si c:C doi dt -(=.oco#ua' woe, W51.4444941891 2985 South Bayshore Drive Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 December 3, 2007 Noreen Timoney, President Miami Woman's Club 1737 North Bayshore Drive Miami, Florida 33132 Dear Mrs. Timoney: Our club fully supports you in your efforts to restore the exceptional property that your members call home. We also occupy an historic building on Bayshore Drive, but about five miles to the south. Though our property is much smaller than yours, we have also experienced the process of seeking funding for restoration and we offer our assistance in any way to help you with this project that is so important to Miami's heritage. Our members have benefiting from attending many events at the Miami Woman's Club as you have hosted both the Florida Federation of Women's .Clubs and the Dade County Federation of W9men's Clubs for many decades. We look forward to a continuation of . our relationship when your restoration is completed. Regards, WOMAN'S CLUB OF COCONUT GROVE resident Arlyd Phillips, }ratttaat tlatll oft January 23, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to you concerning The Miami Woman's Clubs, located at 1717 North Bay Shore Drive, Miami, Florida. As a fifth generation Miamian, I am seriously requesting you to approve the recertification of The Miami Woman's Club beautiful and historical building. My Grandmother, Mother and myself have visited this outstanding building on many occasions during the past 80+ years and find great comfort in knowing that this great tradition is still around. Unfortunately, volunteerism is almost an art of the past and these very dedicated women should be commended and supported in this tremendous effort. They are our heritage and there is great history in their past. Please rally around these women, lend them your expertise and let us continue to be so very proud of our women ancestors and future members of The Miami Woman's Club. I know my entire family is and stand behind them in their endeavors. Thank you for your consideration and understanding, Charlyne Carruth GFWC Florida Federation of Women's Clubs Past President 2004-2006 Member of the GFWC Woman's Club of Hialeah Page 1 of 1 Fred Joseph Subject: FW: Miami Woman's Club Future Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Original Message From: Chantal Arancio[mailto:chantalinc@bellsouth.net] Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:47 PM To: Fred Joseph Subject: Re: Miami Woman's Club Future Dear Linda, I unfortunately cannot be present but I definitively want to give you my support thru e mail on this matter. The Miami Woman's Club building should be preserved and be restored to his original beauty and lots of events should be held there after restoration. It is one of the most beautiful landmark of downtown Miami and the Miami Woman's Club has such a unique history that it should be preserved. Unfortunately the meetings are often held at a bad time for me but I just want to extend my support and if I can be of any further assistance via e mail or personal letter I will be happy to do so. Have a nice week Chantal Arancio 1717 N. Bayshore Dr. # 1237 Miami Florida 33132 305-761-6566 1/28/2008 Page 1 of 1 Fred Joseph From: Frank Remudo [southmoit@msn.com] Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 9:30 AM To: Fred Joseph Subject: Our Support to the Miami Woman's Club Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Dear Linda Sorry, we are unable to assist at today's meeting but we will like to send you this letter to ratify our entirely support to the Club's Board effort for the restoration of this grandeur building. Please inform the CRA Board that we, as Miami voters, are willingly committed to the decision of proceeding with the project for the certification of the Miami Woman's Club. Their vote in favor of this cause is very welcome Sincerely Frank & Maria Remudo 1717 Bayshore Dr Unit 2347 Miami, Florida 1/28/2008