The Daily News Journal, July 8, 2018
The Woman’s Club of Murfreesboro, a local 501(c)(3) Public Charity, is in the midst of a Preservation Campaign of historic proportions to save its building located at 221 E. College St. Built in 1856, owned by The Woman’s Club since 1916, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the classic Italianatestyle house has stood for over 162 years on the same spot to remind the community that history has a place, and everyone has a story.
Standing at the corner of College and Academy Streets, this stately building has withstood the Civil War, when it was occupied as a federal headquarters during the Battle of Stones River; remained intact when the tornado of 1913 destroyed large portions of downtown Murfreesboro and one of its neighbors, First Presbyterian Church; and battled wear and tear and the elements for over 162 years. During all of this time, the maintenance and upkeep of the Baskette/ Woman’s Club building have been under the loving and watchful eyes of The Woman’s Club and its members.
Now this historic building is in need of emergency restoration efforts to save its presence and its voice in the community. A complete new roof (approximately 11,000 square feet) and gutter system are the first order of business. A new boiler is needed to provide heat for the 6,000-plus-square-foot house before the heating season begins. A new electrical panel is needed as well as electrical upgrades to support the new boiler system. The cost of these three projects far exceeds the financial resources of the Club and its members. For the first time in its history, The Woman’s Club is asking the community for help.
This is where you can help. Our Legacy Gathering fundraiser, at The Alley on Main Street, is scheduled for July 22, which just happens to coincide with our 102nd anniversary.
The Woman’s Club asks for your help in raising funds for these emergency restoration repairs by attending our upcoming fundraiser and fundraisers scheduled for later in the fall, or by donating directly to our Preservation Fund. Because The Woman’s Club of Murfreesboro is a 501(c)(3) public charity, your donations are tax deductible. In addition, we have been extended a very generous “Matching Gift” from an anonymous Benefactor to match all profits from our fundraising efforts until Dec. 1 in an amount up to $100,000. During this window, your donations will actually be doubled and go a very long way in helping us achieve our immediate goals.
Read more about our Preservation Campaign and our “Match Challenge” at www.womansclubmurfreesboro.org. Learn more about our next fundraiser and buy tickets to our July 22 Legacy Gathering on Eventbrite.com. Individual donations may also be mailed to The Woman’s Club of Murfreesboro, 221 E. College St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Help us to preserve this important part of Murfreesboro’s history and continue its legacy and its story for generations to come.