02/22/2007

City of Bellingham, WA

"In 1895, the Aftermath Reading Circle began primarily as a literary and social club organized by a group of New Whatcom women. The name was suggested to indicate "a second gleaning.” The organization provided opportunities for socializing and intellectual broadening as well as actively participating in community affairs. The Aftermath Club raised money for the new YMCA and offered an annual prize of $25 for the town's "most improved lawn." When the reading circle became the formal Aftermath Club the members took the opportunity to build a clubhouse. The structure they built in 1904 is estimated to be the first women’s clubhouse in Washington. For many years this was the only clubhouse owned by members, unlike the men’s clubs that charged higher dues and had no permanent location. Remarkably, the Aftermath clubwomen managed to finance and pay off the debt of their property while continuing their charitable work."