As the Library celebrates its 150th anniversary, we will be highlighting other organizations that also have long histories in Summit.
The Fortnightly Club of Summit is a women’s group dedicated to volunteerism, fundraising, community service and outreach. Founded in 1893 by Mary B. Wilcox, it provided local women opportunities to share learning, culture, and especially community service. Club members took the lead in forming the Town Improvement Association, which launched such essential services as garbage collection, snow plowing, and milk inspection. The Club financed the first visiting nurse in Summit, established playgrounds, and cooperated with other organizations such as the Red Cross to provide relief to families in need.
The Fortnightly Club has had many connections with the Library over the long history of both organizations. In its early years, some of the Club’s meetings were held at the Library, particularly those featuring lectures on art, literature, and history. And the Library has received donations of books and money from the Club to help it grow its collections.
The Fortnightly Club continues to serve the community in many ways. Of particular note are the annual scholarships totalling $10,000 to women graduating from local high schools who are going on to higher education.
Lorraine Bowyer, First Vice President of the Fortnightly Club observed, “The Fortnightly Club has been a pillar of the community since 1893. The founding members‘ goals are still valid today: to contribute time and energy into charitable works that directly benefit the community while enriching our own personal relationships and building friendships that last a lifetime.”
— Robin Carroll-Mann, Reference Librarian