Contemporary Club

What? 125 Years! That was two years ago. The Contemporary Club is now 127 years old, formed in 1894, predating the Fortnightly Club by one year. That means it is probably the oldest club still in existence in Redlands. In fact, it might have been named the Fortnightly Club except for two votes. Here’s the story.

In 1893 Mrs. William Howard White invited a few women friends to tea at her home near Mentone. In September of that year, local citizens formed the Mentone Literary and Lecture Society, and White wanted to know if her friends were interested in forming a similar club in Redlands. They were but decided not to organize until the beginning of the next year. Thus, January 3, 1894, is the founding date of the Contemporary Club when 25 women met at the home of Mrs. H.D. Moore where they elected Moore as president, Mrs. George E. Otis, as vice president, and Mrs. K.H. Field, as secretary. They also voted on three proposed names for the club:

• The Day of the Week      3 votes

• The Fortnightly Club        5 votes

• Contemporary Club         7 votes

According to Marie Reynold’s paper, “The Contemporary Club – The First 50 Years,” originally, the club was informal, exclusive, and devoted to the social and cultural improvement of its members. It was limited to 25 members, an acceptable number who could meet in members’ homes. As well as a member and treasurer of the Contemporary Club, Reynolds is also a member of the Redlands Historical Society.

“We have given our influence and help to all projects for civil improvement. We have given the opportunity of education and self-expression to hundreds of women…. We have helped raise the cultural standing of our town.

— Ellen Parker Hinckley, on the 50th anniversary of the club.

 The English Renaissance-style clubhouse at Fourth and Vine Streets was built in 1904 and demolished in 1971. The architect was Arthur Benton of Los Angeles

Although the membership may be reduced, the Contemporary Club continues to provide programs for members and support for community events and projects. The Contemporary Club:

Sponsors a concert at the Redlands Summer Music Festival. This year the Contemporary Club sponsored the opening live show on June 25 – Giada Valenti and the Redlands Symphony Strings. The Club also sponsors the Children’s Workshops held in conjunction with the Music Festival.

• Provides books for children in the Head Start Program.

• Provides scholarships for students in all high schools in the Redlands School District.

• Conduct the drive-through Family Day event.

The Contemporary Club is affiliated with the California Federation of Women’s Clubs (CFWC), San Bernardino County District 21, and sends delegates to the CFWC Winter and Summer Conferences.

“If you are interested in volunteering work, contributing to arts and culture, fellowship with community members, or a host of other charitable and community leaders, then you should join the Contemporary Club,” said Held.

The Contemporary Club

• Organized: 1894
• Federated: 1896
• Inratecorpod: 1902
• Mailing address: P.O. Box 8363, Redlands, CA 92375
• Email: cclubredlands@gmail.com
• Clubhouse location: 173 S. Eureka St. Redlands, CA 92373

Historical highlights

1896: The Club is opened to all Redlands area women.

1899: Club “Sections" started – Current Events, Civics, Art, Domestic Sciences, etc.

1900s: Founded the Redlands Humane Society, the oldest in California.

The club is successful in having Redlands businesses close at 6 p.m. rather than 9 p.m.

• Stopped Mill Creek Zanja from being run through a pipeline.
• Lobbied to have playgrounds in Sylvan Park, and President Mrs. J.J. Seuss represented the Club on the committee that laid out the park.
• Helped fund the McKinley Memorial.

1910: Started Pansy Day to honor the Smiley twins’ birthday on March 17.

1914: Program lecturers included Helen Keller and Booker T. Washington.

1916: Club member Helen Cheney Kimberly founded the Kimberly Juniors as an auxiliary of the Contemporary Club. Still serving high school girls today, Kimberly Juniors' mission is to teach girls social graces and the skills needed to become good community leaders and club members.

1920s: The Evening Auxiliary was organized in 1921 to accommodate teachers and businesswomen. Dissolved in May 2009. Large membership projects included Panorama Point, the building of the Community Hospital, and the restoration of the Asistencia Mission.

1930s: Beautification projects included regulation of billboards, and the Jennie Davis Floral Park to replace an unsightly dump that was at what used to be the entrance to Redlands.

1944: The 50th Anniversary of the Contemporary Club: Ellen Parker Hinckley concluded her Jubilee History, “We have grown from a restricted and exclusive club of 25 members to one numbering 434…. We have given our influence and help to all projects for civic improvement. We have given the opportunity of education and self-expression to hundreds of women; we have increased our personal friendships and we have helped raise the cultural standing of our town.”

1951: The Junior Women was established as a subsidiary of the Kimberly Juniors Auxiliary offering membership to young women aged 20-35. The group was disbanded in recent years because of declining membership.

References:

• By Shari Forbes for the Redlands Community News
•  Sep 2, 2021 Updated Aug 25, 2023