DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about The Woman's Club of Orange. Now, if you ever find yourself rolling through Orange, Texas, and you start thinking the town's library just appeared out of thin air — well, pull over, friend, because nothing about this story happened by accident. It starts in 1893.
October 18th, to be precise. Cultural opportunities were rare for women in the Orange community at the end of the 19th century — that's the marker's own words, and they carry some weight. But a small group of women decided rare didn't mean impossible.
They gathered, and they formed what they called The Ladies' Shakespeare Club, dedicated to the study of Shakespeare, history, and literature in general. Now that name alone tells you something about the ambition in that room. The name later changed to The Ladies' Reading Club — broader, maybe, but no less serious.
Then in 1903, the club became part of the general Federation of Women's Clubs, and suddenly these Orange women had the support and strength of many women behind them. The federation's large membership had a way of turning common concerns into projects and programs of action. These weren't women content to simply discuss the world.
They meant to shape it. And shape it they did. The Woman's Club organized the first library in Orange.
How'd it begin? A magazine exchange at the county courthouse. You start where you can.
Then in 1920, the members held a tea — invited the public, asked folks to donate a book. Just like that. The books were housed in an old Chamber of Commerce building, growing quietly, waiting for a proper home.
In 1922 the club was renamed The Woman's Club. And in 1923, a local dentist and his wife sold a lot to the club. On that land, the Woman's Club building was erected.
The books were relocated to that site, and the first Orange Public Library opened right there, inside the Woman's Club building. A library born from a tea party and a magazine swap, now standing on its own land. The story doesn't stop there.
In 1941, members added a room to the south side with a separate entrance for the library — because a growing library needs room to breathe. By 1957 the enlarged library had moved into the recently vacated city hospital. Then in 1963, it moved again, this time to the recently vacated post office building.
And finally, in 1977, the library found its own home at Fifth and Main Street. The Woman's Club building itself was renovated in 1989, standing as it always had — a place where something remarkable had taken root. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Woman's Club of Orange was still going, still carrying the traditions of its founders.
From a Shakespeare study circle to the backbone of a public library system — that, right there, is what happens when a small group of women sit down together and decide to get to work.
What the marker says
Cultural opportunities were rare for women in the Orange community at the end of the 19th century. On October 18, 1893, a small group of women met to form "The Ladies' Shakespeare Club" for the study of Shakespeare, history and literature in general. The name was later changed to "The Ladies' Reading Club." In 1903 the club became part of the general Federation of Womens' Clubs. Giving members the support and strength of many women. The federation's large membership transformed common concerns of public interest into projects and programs of action by volunteer club women. The woman's club organized the first library in Orange, beginning with a magazine exchange at the county courthouse. In 1920 the members gave a tea, inviting the public to attend and to donate a book to the library. There were housed in an old Chamber of Commerce building. In 1922 the club was renamed "The Woman's Club." A local dentist and his wife sold a lot to the Woman's Club in 1923. On this land the Woman's Club building was erected. The books were relocated to this site and the first Orange Public Library was opened within the Woman's Club building. In 1941 members added a room to the south side with a separate entrance for the library. By 1957, the enlarged library was moved into the recently vacated city hospital; it was moved again in 1963 to the recently vacated post office building, and then to its own home at Fifth and Main Street in 1977. The Woman's Club building was renovated in 1989. At the beginning of the 21 century, the Woman's Club of Orange continues in the traditions of its founders. (2000)