Biography

The Recital Club of Garner, Iowa, was organized in 1901 and federated in 1907. Early in its history, the organization was unusual because it included both men and women, although now it is composed entirely of women. Originally established to provide a musical or dramatic program at each meeting, the club has also promoted education by offering scholarships to students in the community. Throughout the Recital Club's history, the women have chosen programs which pertain to the projects of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) and the Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs (IFWC). One of these projects was the Community Improvement Program, which the Recital Club initiated in 1957. The club was concerned with the number of high school graduates leaving Garner, a town of approximately 2000 at the time. In response, with the help of services from both Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) and the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa), the club sent out questionnaires about aspects of Garner to high school graduates of the previous eleven years (429 people). Ultimately, the program resulted in the organization of the Garner Town and Country Planning Council, which promoted such projects as a public swimming pool and retirement apartments. The Recital Club of Garner continues to hold meetings with presentations and discussions about literature, the arts and the community.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: