In A Newport Minute | 1896-1905

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This video is the 13th in our series, In A Newport Minute, created by the Newport Historical Society as part of Newport’s contribution to America Turns 250. Each installment highlights a moment in American history within a ten‑year span, beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day.

Across these 25 short videos, we’ll explore how Newport grew, adapted, and evolved alongside the nation—sometimes in step with national events, sometimes in its own unique way. Our goal is to bring local history to life and show how our community’s story fits into the larger American narrative.

We invite you to follow along every two weeks as we share new chapters in Newport’s past.

Overview

This video recounts the founding and rise of the Newport Woman’s Club in 1905, detailing its officers, rapid membership growth, and affiliation with state and national federations. It describes meeting logistics, program topics, and social events that fostered education, civic discussion, and companionship among local women.

The account highlights the club’s community impact through lectures, fundraising activities, and charitable donations to schools, hospitals, and care homes, and notes the club’s eventual disbanding in 1986 with some continued involvement in the wider federation into 2022.

All of the videos in the series can be viewed using the link below:

Sources:

• Website: GFWC New Hampshire
• Article: Frederick W. Lewis Mansion (Newport Earth Institute) – Buildings of New England
• Wikipedia Article: General Federation of Women’s Clubs
• Journal Article: “The Newport Woman’s Club,” The Granite Monthly (February 1909, Vol. XLI No. 2, pp. 47-52)

Key Words:

Maude Lewis, Mrs. Maude Lewis, Elizabeth Richards, Anne Parmelee, Florence Barton, Sara Gunnison, Georgiana Wilcox, Gertrude Claggett, Newport, Newport House, Recreation Rooms, Sugar, State Federation of Woman’s Clubs, National Federation, town library, Mary Woods, Ernest Harold Baynes, Corbin Blue Mountain Forest, Judge Willis Brown, Juvenile Court System, Simmons College, State Normal School Scholarship Fund, Newport Home for Aged Women, Carrie Wright Memorial Hospital Fund, Allegro Club, General Federation of Women’s Clubs of New Hampshire, New Hampshire

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