The Woman’s Club of Hollywood was organized as a service club on April15, 1905. Their contributions to Hollywood have been numerous and as they approach their 100th anniversary, they should be able to take pride in maintaining their continued excellence in community service.

Originally, it was called the Hollywood Club. The women would meet in each others homes to play whist, the forerunner of auction and contract bridge, and to discuss the latest books and plays. Each of the ladies was active in social and civic events. Mrs. MR.. Churchill, wife of the principal of Hollywood High School, was the Clubs first president. At this same time, Andrew Carnegie, the street magnate, expressed his desire to establish libraries throughout the United States. The Club members decided to take advantage of the offer in order to have a library in Hollywood and give them a place to have their meetings. 

Dae Ida Wilcox-Beveridge offered a lot from her large ranch near the corner of Ivar and Hollywood Boulevard, then called Prospect Street. The lot was accepted, a building constructed, and a library was built. The Club met in the basement, while managing the library on the first and second floors. In 1908 the Club transferred the library to the city and met in each other’s homes until they could fulfill their dream of a “home of their own” in 1914.Ib 1913 the Club’s name was changed to Woman Club of Hollywood; they were incorporated and became a member of the Federation of Women’s Clubs. Members were very active in war work during the World War I and World War II when they went over the top in selling war bonds, which meant they sold over $100,000 worth of bonds.

Club members organized a Hollywood Community Sing, which grew from 35 to over 900 participants who took part in the first Easter Sunrise Service at Whitley Heights in 1919. The women were active in starting the Pilgrimage Plays, the new Hollywood Hospital, and the famous Hollywood Bowl.

Their Clubhouse was sold after World War II, and its current location was purchased at 1749 North LaBrea Avenue. The first meeting in the new Clubhouse was 1949. One of the original buildings, the “Little Theatre”, was renamed Hospitality House. It was to be used for meetings of Shakespeare and Browning Groups and Board of Directors’ meetings. The Hospitality House still stands today and is used by acting groups as it was in the past. The Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of Los Angeles recognized the Clubhouse in 1994 as a Historical Monument. In 1993 the Metro Red Line belt the subway tunnels under the Clubhouse and purchased property to the south of the home to dig shafts to service the tunnels with steel and concrete.

The Woman’s Club of Hollywood has a rich and interesting history, has hosted a myriad of activities, and made many contributions which affect the quality of life for its members and the community. Sociability, charitable work, and community involvement for almost one hundred years gives the Hollywood Coordinating Council reason to recognize your organization with the Year 2000 Community Service Award.