Our History

The Northville Woman’s Club was organized in 1892 as a literary study group long before the time of universal woman’s clubs. It is not only one of the oldest organizations in the Northville community, but is also among the oldest woman’s clubs in the state of Michigan.

Organized by Lucy Stout Dowd, who was elected its first president in 1893 by a membership of 70 women, the club celebrates its 132nd year in 2024.

Dr. Mary E. Lapham, the club’s second president, provided the organization with its first meeting venue. She gifted the old library building located on Wing Street to the Ladies’ Library Association with the stipulation that the Northville Woman’s Club be allowed to hold its meetings in the building for as long as the members desired. The library building would remain the club’s home through the 1964-65 club year.

The Northville Woman’s Club was the driving force in the formation of the Northville Historical Society in 1964 when the old library building was threatened with demolition. The building was the first structure moved in 1972 to the Mill Race Historical Village and given its original name, New School Church.

By 1965, the club had outgrown the library building and moved its meetings to the First Presbyterian Church. In 2015, the club changed its meeting venue to the First United Methodist Church of Northville.

Twelve meetings, each followed by an informational program and refreshments, are held each club year on the first and third Fridays (October through March). One meeting is traditionally held at Mill Race Historical Village in the New School Church.

The club supports higher education through scholarships awarded to Northville High School seniors. The club also contributes to local civic concerns through personal donations to help those in need.

Through the years, the club’s format has evolved, but its purpose has remained constant to provide cultural, informational and educational programs for its members and no fund-raising activities.

Membership participation on a variety of committees helps sustain the Northville Woman’s Club.

Dr. Mary E. Lapham Library

Club’s first meeting venue