Chelidon Book Club Records, 1901-1937

The Chelidon Book Club was founded in November 1901. The name “Chelidon” was chosen after a literary society of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. Chelidon is a Greek term for part of the arm, which signifies not only strength, but friendship and fellowship.

The following women served as President of the Chelidon Book Club: Miss Lizzie Faison, 1901-1902; Miss Josephine Osborne, 1902-1908; Miss Annie Wilson, 1908-1909; Mrs. B.J. Witherspoon, 1909-1914; Mrs. Thomas Wright, 1914-1916; Mrs. E.R. Preston, 1916-1918; Mrs. James P. Stowe, 1918-1920; Mrs. Brent S. Drane, 1920-?. The meeting minutes did not record acting presidents after Mrs. Drane.

Club members made many decisions surrounding how the club should be organized: membership was limited to twelve; the club be of the nature of a book club; meetings will occur every two weeks at the houses of members as they come in alphabetical order; light refreshments be served by the host; all business of the meeting will be strictly confined to the twelve members; a spirit of confidence in the members be encouraged, and the spirit of criticism be abolished; members bear willingly their share in the programs. Members were also charged a small fee ($1.25 in 1901) to cover the cost of books.

Meetings were held every other Thursday from November-April until approximately April 1959, which was the last date published in the Charlotte Observer announcing the upcoming meeting.