The Canton Woman’s Club (CWC) was conceived on February 28, 1920, when Euroia Barrick held a meeting with 14 local clubs to discuss combining forces. She had a vision to create a “clubhouse” where women could socialize and work together to better the city. Four months later, they bought the former Bucher family home at what is now 822 Market Avenue North (across from the Stark Library Main Branch). It’s the last house of the area known as Quality Hill left standing today.
More than a century later, the organization continues to propel friendships, civic engagement and history from within the walls of its 156-year-old Victorian home.
“Whether someone is new to the area and looking to make new friends and find their place in the community, or have been a long-standing resident, we’re appealing to a variety of people with a diverse background and interests,” says Evelyn Stortz, Corporate Board Chair who’s been a member for about 11 years. “We enjoy both social and historic aspects by honoring our past while preserving the future of the club. It’s important for us to continue that legacy.”
In the past year, one member celebrated her 50th anniversary with the CWC and she was here continuously after her mom and aunts were prior. Members meet regularly for monthly luncheons or dinner events and educational programming on a variety of topics. Some participate in special interest groups that focus on history or gardening, among other topics.
“One of the best things about this entire club is the friendships you make,” says Jeanne Freitag, a 15-year member who sits on the club’s Corporate Board. “Everyone is so supportive and friendly, and we feel good about the civic work we do as well.”
Through the years, the club has collected items or donations for projects at the YWCA, Domestic Violence Project, Canton Palace Theatre, McKinley Museum and the Akron- Canton Regional Foodbank.
The club is open to the public to host private parties, showers, weddings, meetings and luncheons and offers more of a cozy ambiance than event halls. Catering is available, as is individual room rental for those who prefer to bring in their own refreshments.
“The home itself is really beautiful,” says Jeanne, the club’s unofficial historian. Several original items from the home still remain, including solid cherry archways, an etched slate fireplace, a stunning circular stairway, and an original chandelier. The Bucher family’s rosewood piano was repurposed as a large sideboard in the dining room that now holds linens.
“Visitors will also see a unique embossed wall covering called Lincrusta that also decorated Titanic staterooms, is in the White House and is still manufactured today,” added Jeanne.
Come see the house in early October at the CWC’s annual Holiday Boutique, or pop in to see the abundant decorations (and grab punch and cookies) at the Holiday Open House the First Friday in December.
To learn how to become a member of the Canton Woman’s Club, call 330-453-4802.