In the year of 1897, on the seventh day of October, a group of Carrington ladies met to consider forming a study club. The Women's Literary Club was organized, and today it is the oldest club in Foster County. In 1904 the club united with the Federated Clubs of the State. The Club joined the General Federation in February 1914. The present club motto is "No Nation is greater than its women." The club colors are pink and green, and the wild rose is the club flower.
At the club's meeting held on October 21, 1905, the decision was made to establish a library. The meeting was held at the W.J. Doyle home. Letters were sent to other women's groups, asking for books. That venture wasn't too successful, for some of the books received were not good books for a lending library. The Club purchased a few books to add to those donated and acceptable. A bookcase was purchased for two dollars, and the Carrington Library was opened for service. Shifted about from one location to another, from the early Commercial Clubrooms to the old courthouse, to various homes, the library eventually became established in the City Hall. Club members took turns serving as librarian; then Mrs. B.L. Russell consented to be the first librarian, a position she held for eight years. It is her picture which hangs above the dictionary stand, a fixture presented to the library by the Club, in her memory. Financing the library was accomplished through projects such as bake sales, sponsoring lectures, and community dances known as "Germans". Finally in 1916 the maintenance became too much of a financial operation for the club; and the library was turned over to the City of Carrington. Women's Literary Club continued the library as its number one project and interest.
The club purchased a set of the World Book Encyclopedia for the library in 1962. The money came from a special club community fund, accumulated from savings from a general fund, proceeds from an annual silver tea which the Club sponsored each spring during Library Week, and a memorial given for Mrs. N.A. Graves, Sr., one of the charter members of the Club. Several other books have been purchased by the Club; and in 1975 the Club presented the library with a bookcase in honor of the retiring librarian, Ella Mae Hargrave.
One of the outstanding projects of the Club in 1917 was the furnishing of the sunroom of the new Carrington Hospital, and serving refreshments on the day of the hospital opening.
The October 1956 Club meeting centered its program entirely on the life and work of Mrs. B.L. Russell, a fifty‑year member of the Club.
In July 1958 Carrington celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. Women's Literary Club had a float in the Jubilee Parade, depicting the first library in the city. Several club members also attended the pageant at Medora, "Old Four Eyes" during the Theodore Roosevelt Centennial.
In 1968 the Women's Literary Club, Fine Arts Club, and the City of Carrington won two hundred dollars in the North Dakota Community Improvement Program. This was part of a national contest sponsored by the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the Sears Roebuck Foundation. Ella Mae Hargrave was in charge of making the scrapbook for this project. In 1975 the two hundred dollars was used toward purchasing carpet for the Foster County Historical Museum.
Women's Literary Club and Fine Arts Club together sponsored a Hobby and Antique Show in 1970 and again in 1972, held in the Carrington Armory. Proceeds were used for community summer art classes for interested school students, grades one through 12, and other community projects.
In 1971 the Club entered art and literary works of several Carrington High School students in the Fine Arts Poetry and Art Contest conducted by the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs. Two of our entries were winners and received cash awards.
The club celebrated its seventy‑fifth anniversary in 1972 and honored three of its long-standing members: Mrs. Mayo Meadows, Mrs. George Swanson, and Mrs. Leon Galehouse.
On February 16, 1975 Women's Literary Club, Fine Arts Club, and the City of Carrington Library Board sponsored a reception and program honoring Ella Mae Hargrave for her forty years of service as the city librarian. She was Carrington's "Sweetheart" that day and received many Valentine greetings from far and wide.
When school started in September 1975, the Club helped sponsor a teachers' welcome reception at the Carrington Golf Clubhouse.
In 1976 a short history of the Club was placed in the Carrington Bicentennial capsule which was buried July fourth, and is to be opened in the year 2076. The Club had a float in the Carrington Bicentennial Parade. Several Club members purchased Bicentennial commemorative plates.
Harvey Sletten, former Carrington teacher and now the author of several books, was guest at the Club's Library Tea in April 1978, and again in 1980. Club programs over the years have consisted of book reviews, travelogues, music, North Dakota history, study of other countries, conservation, family life, health, community problems and citizenship.
For many years the Club has given a spring tea or reception for the girls in the Senior Class of Carrington High School. The Club members have had "Arthritis Breakfasts" to raise money for arthritis help. The Club purchased furniture for the nurses' dining room of the new Carrington Hospital in 1956. Donations over the years have been made to Care, Florence Crittendon Home, Children's Home, North Dakota State Hospital, sponsoring students to the International Music Camp, sponsorships to Camp Grassick, and to help restore the museum at the Statue of Liberty.
A number of members of the Club have reached positions of honor. Some of these are:
Mrs. O.W. McClusky was president of the State Federation.
Mrs. C.W. Burnham, corresponding secretary of the State Federation
Mrs. Farnham became a writer of short stories and children's books.
Mrs. James Morris was National president of the Legion Auxiliary.
Mrs. Louise Kelly was a painter; one of her canvasses hangs in the high school library.
Several members have served as Foster County Superintendent of Schools.
Edna Kelly, Historian
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 244