Archives West Finding Aid

Carrying on the spirit of Sorosis, the pioneer women's club founded in New York in 1868, a group of Utah women organized a small strictly cultural club called the Blue Tea in 1875. This small club did not develop into the Ladies' Literary Club as is often believed, but rather the Ladies' Literary Club was an outgrowth of the Blue Tea Club.

The Blue Tea was an exclusive club that restricted membership to only the literary elite. However, there existed within this club a small group of women who felt there was a need in the isolated community for an unlimited club that would reach out to all women who desired intellectual experiences and companionship. As a result, in February of 1877, this small band of broad-minded women seceded from the Blue Tea Club, which now has the distinction of being the oldest women's club west of the Mississippi River.

In order to be in a position to transact business, the club incorporated under laws of the territory of Utah in 1882, and ten years later a notable milestone was reached when the group joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

The formal opening of the first clubhouse took place on 7 January 1898. Fifteen years later the group moved into its new clubhouse located on the old Brigham Street, now South Temple, where it continues to operate. From the beginning, the Ladies' Literary Club has offered the use of its clubhouse for charitable and educational causes, and it continues to be used for many community, civic, and social purposes. In 1976, the Ladies' Literary Club received a plaque designating their clubhouse as a Utah State Historical Landmark.

The main subject of study in the early years was history. Later, different sections were formed to satisfy the needs and interests of the members. At present, there are seven sections of study: Browning-Poetry, Arts and Arts & Crafts, Drama-Music, Civics-Parliamentary Law and Current Events, History-Tourism, and Junior and Readers.

From the beginning, the Ladies' Literary Club took an active interest in matters of community welfare, though its primary purpose lay in "literary pursuits and development of mental culture." Helping to bring about the first free public library was one of the first important community projects participated in by the club. Using the proceeds from a carnival fund-raiser, the club purchased two thousand books as a beginning to the library. The members also worked for the passage of the library bill, providing for support of the library by the city. Other projects include free kindergartens, high school art and music contests, scholarship funds, and the placing of art in public schools. The club remains active in community and civic affairs and is represented on the Women's State Legislative Council of Utah.

Mrs. J. C. Role, the first president, described the club, saying "As an infant the Club was most ambitious. We essayed great things--We were, indeed, a most precocious infant." After one hundred years of accomplishment, club historian Mrs. J. Bracken Lee described the club as "the grande dame of East South Temple."

History written by Allesen Peck, 1984.