By Beverly Belcher Woody
Last week we looked at the Stuart Book Club from its inception in 1925 through the social and altruistic activities of its first decade. This week, we explore additional ways the club continued to strengthen and serve the Patrick County community over the decades.
Club membership has always been limited to 12 members, united in their devotion to cultural, educational, patriotic, and philanthropic service.
The Stuart Book Club was instrumental in establishing the first library in Stuart and played a key role in securing the county’s Home Demonstration Agents, as well as assisting with the organization of the first Home Demonstration Club. Members also sponsored the creation of the J.E.B. Stuart Woman’s Club.
Their early work included providing hot lunches for school children, supplying schools with a First Aid cot, venetian blinds, cafeteria equipment, playground equipment, and books, and contributing toward the purchase of a playground fence.
During the war years, the club supported patriotic efforts including bond rallies and assembling packs for servicemen after induction. Members also donated clothing to needy children and purchased wheelchairs for children with disabilities.
Financial support extended to many major charities through generous contributions to organizations such as the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, and other benevolent causes. The club sponsored annual fundraising drives for the Children’s Home Society, contributed to children in need of medical and hospital care, and helped send a child to Camp Easter Seal.
One of the club’s most visible traditions was sponsoring the town’s first Community Christmas Tree on the courthouse lawn, complete with a visit from Santa Claus and treats for children. Members collaborated annually with the Rotary Club on this project and also contributed to Christmas Cheer efforts throughout the community.
When fundraising pledges were being accepted for the R. J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital Building Fund, the Stuart Book Club donated most of its accumulated savings to help offset construction costs. In later years, members also funded the decorating of the hospital dining room.
In its earliest years, the Stuart Book Club established a corner lending library inside Clark’s Hardware at Main Street and Blue Ridge Street. Because Patrick County had no florist for many years, the club also served as the local agent for Woodruff’s Flowers. Members managed orders for funeral arrangements, potted plants, and corsages, using proceeds to fund the club’s charitable and civic projects.
Newspaper Highlights
November 22, 1936 — Danville Register & Bee:
Twelve books of fiction were donated to the high school library. Mrs. Nash Thompson presented a program on “French Queens of the 16th Century.”
September 10, 1937 — Martinsville Bulletin:
The Stuart Book Club announced plans to hold a children’s clinic at the courthouse.
April 28, 1940 — Roanoke Times:
The club voted to withdraw from the Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs, directing that all funds be used solely for local community needs.
June 20, 1941 — Martinsville Bulletin:
Miss Ladye Clark, librarian of the Patrick County Library, thanked the club for a donation of 250 books. The club also purchased venetian blinds for the library’s main reading room at a cost of $40.00.
May 4, 1945 — Martinsville Bulletin:
As local sponsor of the Girl Scouts, the club hosted both Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops at the Stuart Baptist Church playroom.
May 25, 1945 — Martinsville Bulletin:
The club donated $15.00 to the Cancer Fund, and two $5.00 prizes for a War Bonds Auction scheduled for June 2. Prior to the business session, members attended the Star Theatre to view “Since You Went Away,” an event arranged by program leader Mrs. A. D. Hopkins.
December 7, 1947 — Danville Register & Bee:
The club purchased a $10.00 tuberculosis bond, donated $15.00 toward painting two first-grade classrooms at Stuart Elementary, and increased its support of the Infantile Paralysis campaign from $10.00 to $20.00.
March 26, 1948 — Martinsville Bulletin:
The annual Easter flower sale was held at Mills’ Store, with Mrs. John F. Clark and Mrs. J. Rucker Moore supervising sales. A $25.00 contribution was made to the Cancer Fund campaign.
December 1, 1948 — Martinsville Bulletin:
Due to increased need for free lunches at Stuart Elementary, the club donated $50.00 toward school meals.
February 24, 1957 — Martinsville Bulletin:
The club purchased playground equipment for Stuart Elementary School. They also funded the basketball team banquet ($25.00), donated $50.00 to the American Red Cross, and $25.00 to Easter Seal. I would like to interject here that the playground equipment was much appreciated by the students. I have fond memories of climbing that giant steel slide and riding the merry-go-round.
Betty Kirkpatrick, a former librarian and Stuart Book Club member, took on the monumental task of scanning each page of the decades of ledgers and treasury records which are housed at the Patrick County Historical Society & Museum.
Today Stuart Book Club continues to stay engaged with current events and community programs, fostering appreciation of literature within the group, in the schools and in the community, as they have done for a century. The club remains steadfast in its support of the Patrick County Library and its mission. Membership strongly believes that the love of books and the habit of reading developed early in life are vital to scholastic success.
Thank you to Suzanne Hutchens and Betty Kirkpatrick for assistance with this article. For questions, comments, or story ideas, please contact Woody at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or 276-692-9626.
