Finally in 1882 when it became a member of the State and Third District Federation the name was changed to “The 1881 Club” in honor of the year of its organization. Many have been the courses of study by the enthusiastic members. In fifty-five years of its existence the club meetings have continued each week, only disbanding from second Saturday in May to the first Saturday in October. One of the charter members, Mrs. Sarah Terhune Taylor, is now an honorary member. One of the active members, Mrs. D. C. Wise dates her membership to 1896. This club has the distinction of being the oldest club in the State of Texas.
THE WEDNESDAY MUSIC CLUB
The Wednesday Music Club is one of the oldest music clubs in the state, having been organized in 1909 by the late Mrs. W. H. Mason, for the purpose of study and to assist the 1881 Club in putting on a program when the 1881 Club entertained the Third District Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1910.
The Music Club requested membership in the Federation at this meeting and was a member of the Federation of Woman’s Clubs until the Music Club began a separate organization.
The members of the club who are now living are:
Mrs. Addie Terry Nance, Lebannon, Oregon. Mrs. G. T. Haggard, Jefferson, Texas. Mrs. J. M. DeWare, Jefferson, Texas. Mrs. Mattie Vines, Jefferson, Texas. Mrs. S. S. Minor, Jefferson, Texas. Miss May Belle Hale, Jefferson, Texas. Miss Eva Eberstadt, Jefferson, Texas. Mrs. Murph Smith DeWare, Jefferson, Texas. Mrs. J. A. Nance was the first president of the club. Mrs. Mattie Vines, first director. Miss Ethel Leaf (Mrs. J. M. DeWare) first accompanist.
The first choruses “Carmen” and “In Old Madrid” were presented at the District meeting of Federated Women’s Clubs.
The Wednesday Music Club was a member of the East Texas Music Festival during its seven years of existence and with the May Belle Hale Symphony Orchestra, as Co-Hostess, entertained the Festival in May 1924.
Mrs. H. A. Spellings was president of the East Texas Festival at this time also president of The Wednesday Music Club, serving the club in this capacity for fourteen years.
Mrs. G. T. Haggard was the Club president last year and she and Mrs. Murph Smith DeWare are the only members who have served the club, uninterruptedly from its beginning.