Purpose of The Saint Louis Woman’s Club

Now in its second century, The Saint Louis Woman’s Club serves its members with a variety of opportunities for learning, and offers programs of interest with a focus on literature, science, and art. The Club serves as a classroom, meeting place, theater, ballroom, dining room, and center of social activity. Our members are able to attract speakers of note who present vibrant educational programs. The Club is committed to moving into the future as it honors the fine traditions of the past.

About The Saint Louis Woman’s Club

Planning for the 1904 World’s Fair in Saint Louis was the historical energy around which the Saint Louis Woman’s Club was founded. Conceived as a place to entertain the wives of dignitaries, royalty and heads of state visiting Saint Louis as preparations for the Fair were underway, The Club continues to welcome guests in its historic and elegant building in the historic Central West End, a very special venue that reflects the true spirit of Saint Louis.

In 1911, the Donaldson house, built at 4600 Lindell Boulevard in 1895, was purchased for the stately sum of $40,000 to become the permanent home of The Saint Louis Woman’s Club. At the time, Lindell Boulevard was the premier thoroughfare of St. Louis. Lined with stately mansions and the home of the magnificent new Cathedral, it was the major artery linking Grand and Skinker Boulevards. It led to Forest Park’s new cultural centers which included the World’s Fair Pavilion, the Art Museum and the Jefferson Memorial, then under construction as the new home of the Missouri Historical Society. There could not have been a more appropriate address for the Saint Louis Woman’s Club.

The décor of the Saint Louis Woman’s Club reflects the good taste and generosity of its members. Its furnishings were mainly an eclectic assemblage of pieces dating from 1850 to 1910. Its collection includes many revivals of Rococo, Renaissance, Greek and Louis XV and XVI styles.

Now in its second century, The Club continues to serve its members with myriad opportunities for learning about our community and its institutions and the pursuit of literature, science, and art, serving as a classroom, meeting place, theater, ballroom, dining room, and center of social activity. Our programs attract guests of note, who offer vibrant and interesting programs. The Club is committed to moving into the future as it honors the fine traditions of the past.