The Woman's Press Club of New York City was founded by Croly on November 19, 1889, in New York City, with 40 women from the city's papers. The mission of the club, according to its constitution, was to gain advantages for women arising from unity, fellowship, and co-operation with those engaged in similar pursuits. To be mutually helpful is the requirement among its members. The organization focused on civic projects, journalism scholarships, lectures, literary activities, and social activities for its membership. The Women's Press Club was incorporated in New York in 1919, with Kate M. Bostwick, Julia Linthicum, Cynthia M. Westover, Haryot H. Cahoon and Anna Warren Story trustees. The organization disbanded in 1980. The minutes, reports, press books, scrapbooks, correspondence, lists, financial records, and printed materials of the Woman's Press Club of New York City are held by Columbia University Libraries.
The regular meetings of the club occurred on the second and last Saturdays of each month, except during the months of July, August, and September. The first of these meetings was for business, and the second for social and literary purposes. The rooms were open, however, at any time for the use of the club members, such as for a social chat, or to prepare an article for the press.
Headquarters
The club was located at 126 East 23rd Street, in Manhattan. Tables and light camp chairs necessary for the regular meetings were the first things furnished. Then members contributed furniture, china, and silver. The suite consisted of four apartments and a bathroom. The walls of the large front room, which served as parlor, were of terra cotta with a frieze having in it a tracery of deeper tones. The ceiling was of cream white with tints of dull pink and green, and the floor of parquetry in dark and light woods. A cherry mantel with tiling of tawny brown was on one side of the room, and against the opposite wall was the president's chair with a long oak table in front of it. This chair was of the Gothic style, in black walnut with leather upholstering, and was purchased with a US$50 check sent for the purpose by Leslie. Over it hung an etching by Kruseman Van Etten, sent by Otis. The table was the gift of the executive committee. The Dagestan rug which lay in front of the table was sent by another member, a pupil of St. Gondins, who also contributed some hand-painted china. Next to the chimney was a bookcase and tea tables. In the large back room the walls were grayish blue, with a frieze of old gold and gilt, while the mantel was of oak with olive tiling. A large Japanese screen was the gift of Croly, and the china cups and saucers in the cupboard were contributions from various members. A Persian cup and two Dresden cups and saucers were from Mrs. Fleming, wife of a prominent New York physician, while the antique chair nearby was the gift of Kate Bostwick. A solid silver tea urn was purchased by the club.
