The Duluth Woman’s Club highlights historic homes

By Abigail Blonigen

The Duluth Women’s Club has been bringing women together for nearly 100 years under the tagline “See what women working together can do.”

The roots of the Duluth Woman’s Club date back to 1889, becoming official in 1923 with the merger of the Saturday Club and the Duluth Woman’s Club Council. The newfound Woman’s Club aimed to provide both social and civic opportunities for women by creating a “non-political, permanent citywide central headquarters for women and to awaken a wider interest in public affairs,” according to its website.

Mrs. J. L. Washburn was instrumental in organizing the club, and Mrs. F. A. Patrick served as the first president. Their first major initiative was to purchase a physical space for the group’s meetings and events.

In 1936, the club purchased the Alexander and Katherine Hartman house, built in 1910 and designed by architect Frederick Perkins. The Hartmans were the original owners of the red brick Tudor home, which sold for $18,000 at the time.

Since then, the Duluth Women’s Club has been caring for the home, making updates as necessary and preserving its historical features. In 2017, the home was officially designated as a Duluth Heritage Preservation Landmark by the City’s Heritage Preservation Commission.

“I'm very pleased to know that our beautiful clubhouse will be maintained the way it was when the Hartmans owned it,” said former Woman’s Club president — and current building and grounds chair — Ellie Dryer.

In addition to the upkeep of the Woman’s Club building, the club hosts games, weekly lunches with presentations, day trips and a variety of special events. They also volunteer as a group for organizations such as Safe Haven, Bentleyville and the Salvation Army.

The largest event the club hosts is its annual Tour of Homes and Gardens. Each year, on the third Wednesday in

The Duluth Woman’s Club home, a 1910 red brick Tudor at 2400 East Superior Street in Duluth, was built in 1910, designed by architect Frederick Perkins, and purchased by the Duluth Woman’s Club in 1936. In 2017, the home was designated a Duluth Heritage Preservation Landmark by the City’s Heritage Preservation Commission.

July, the tour features a handful of historic homes and several beautiful gardens in Duluth, drawing an average of around 500 participants.

“Planning gets to be a challenge after a while when we've used them all,” said Dryer. “But I don't think we'll ever run out because Duluth has so many gorgeous, gorgeous homes.”

The tour is open to the public and self-guided, so participants are welcome to go at their own pace. This year’s Home and Garden Tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20. The tour is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year; the proceeds help with repairs of the home and funding for club events.

Women of all ages, backgrounds and interests are welcome to join the Duluth Woman’s Club. There are no specific membership requirements outside of the yearly fee, and members are welcome to participate as much as they are able to commit.

One can apply to become a member online at duluthwomansclub.com. There is also an option for a free twomonth trial membership. D