Women's City Club

Infobox_nrhp | name =Women's City Club
nrhp_type =

---

caption =
location= Detroit, Michigan
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 20
lat_seconds = 14
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 83
long_minutes = 3
long_seconds = 10
long_direction = W
locmapin = Michigan
area =
built =1922
architect= William B. Stratton; Waldridge & Aldinger
architecture= Modern Movement
added = November 20, 1979
governing_body = Private
refnum=79001179cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Women's City Club is a women's club located at 2110 Park Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, within the Park Avenue Historic District.

History

Women's organizations became increasingly influential in the years after the American Civil War as a class of highly educated, middle class women arose in the nation. [http://www.detroit1701.org/Women's%20City%20Club.html Women’s City Club of Detroit] from Detroit1701.org] Their impact was at its peak in the years around World War I, when the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women's suffrage, was ratified. In Detroit, it becam apparent at that time that the many women's organizations in the city needed a centralized place to meet. [http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/travel/detroit/d21.htm Women's City Club] from the National Park Service] In 1919, a number of local activists founded the "Women's City Club" to "promote a broad acquaintance among women." The club hired architect William B. Stratton (husband of ceramicist and club member Mary Chase Perry Stratton) to design a suitable building.

Description

The exterior of the building is built of brick, in a featureless modern style. The six stories are differentiated into the lower three floors, which are blocky and regular; and the three upper floors, which appear to be set onto the lower floors. The brick color differs between the two sections, as does the appearnce of the windows. There is also a horizontal range of bricks between the two sections. The lower floors were designed to be meeting spaces for social events and planning the activities of members. The three upper floors were used as a apartments for women who moved to Detroit for employment and wished to live in a wholesome environment.

The interior decor was strongly influenced by the then-current Arts and Crafts movement, with hand-wrought ironwork and Pewabic Pottery tilework. The swimming pool was also decorated with Pewabic tile.

Use

The City Club offered a number of classes and recreation programs for women, eventually enrolling over 8,000 members. However, membership declined after World War II, and in 1974 the club moved to smaller quarters. The social space was used for various purposes, including a restaurant and bar in later years. The building is currently owned by Forbes Management (also owners of the Elwood Bar, Gem Theater, and The Fillmore Detroit), and has recently received an upgrade of its facade. [http://www.modeldmedia.com/developmentnews/wex75.aspx "Women's City Club building on Park Ave. gets facade upgrades"] fropm ModelD, December 19, 2006]

References