OLATHE'S SIGOURNEAN CLUB
A long-time organization for the women of Olathe was the "Sigournean Club." The motivating force for the club's formation was Mrs. Mattie Drake Williams, wife of Dr. R. A. Williams. Mattie Williams’ efforts led to the creation of the group in May of 1890. One of several club ledgers in the museum archives records a tribute to her on its first page: "As long as the Sigournean Club endures, it will stand a monument to her energy and progressive spirit as its founder."
A May 28, 1890 meeting at the Christian church in Olathe resulted in the formal organization of the group and selection of officers. Mrs. Williams was chosen president. The eleven ladies present at the meeting became its charter members and annual dues were set at one dollar. The group's meetings were to be held on every alternate Friday afternoon.
The club was named for Lydia Sigourney (1791- 1865), a well-known Connecticut poet, and according to club records, the name decision was unanimous. The club constitution stated the group was "an association for mutual improvement and for enlarging our fund of general knowledge." The club's executive council decided upon a line of study for the first year—"English History." The first regular meetings of the group took place in the summer and fall of 1890.
The October meeting was held in the parlor of Olathe's "Avenue House" and had something of a Halloween theme. Vocal and piano solos were included on the program with an otherwise serious literary focus. Continued growth of the club—to forty members in its first year— brought a move to a more accommodating location in the Knights of Pythias Hall. The Christmas program, with a more lighthearted literary selection, included an original poem by Mrs. Silvis, “Christmas and Current Events”—all 35 stanzas of it along with more traditional literary works.
The Sigournean Club would continue its efforts for many years to come. Its records provide a useful glimpse into the Victorian Era and life in Johnson County.
--ALBUM vol. 19, no. 1 (winter 2006)
