March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Athene Club celebrates 100 years of serving Bangor

A century ago, young Bangor women who were interested in studying literature and the arts enrolled in classes conducted by Myra Scammon Hall. When the number of her students grew too large to fit in her home on Hammond Street hill, Mrs. Hall suggested that the women form a literary club.

The women formed The Athene Club on June 11, 1892. As the present members approach the club’s 100th birthday, they proudly review Athene’s contributions to the community. And, with fondness and admiration, they recall the women whose leadership made all of this possible.

Mrs. Hall was elected the club’s first president, and during her term of office Athene became a part of the newly organized Women’s Literary Union of Portland, later known as the Federated Clubs of Maine.

Athene’s second president was Ellen V. Hamlin, wife of Hannibal Hamlin, vice president during Abraham Lincoln’s first term as president. During her tenure, the club became more firmly organized. Records indicate that meetings were held quarterly in the homes of members. They agreed that the object of the club was “to promote the intellectual growth of its members, and the literary interests of the community at large.”

The Athene Club’s popularity prompted the group to limit membership to 150. Discipline was strict, and failure to promptly pay the annual dues of $2 could result in dismissal. This serious attitude of early Athene members is recalled in the answer given by its third president to a new member who inquired about the entertainment at the next meeting. “The purpose of a women’s club is not entertainment, my dear child,” replied the president, “but it is worthwhile work.”

To its original literary and arts committees the club later added social and musical committees, whose members presented papers or brought in prominent speakers to discuss and enlighten the members on current subjects. Education, the arts, poetry and history were often subjects of programs.

From the beginning, Athene was opposed to raising funds as a purpose for the club. When asked to collect 30 cents per member toward an endowment fund for the national federation, club members voted no. Eventually, that difference in the fund-raising philosophy was the reason for the club’s withdrawal from the Maine federation.

Athene was often asked to endorse an issue of importance to other women’s groups, and its members always answered after carefully deliberating whether the issue was pertinent to the purpose and interests of the club at the time.

Asked to unite with others to actively discourage the use of birds’ plumage, except for ostrich feathers, in decorating hats, the members declined. To an appeal made in 1900 by Julia Ward Howe on behalf of women’s suffrage, members deemed it wise to avoid expressing an opinion.

After 1897, when the group grew too large to meet in local homes, meetings were held in the parlors of the YMCA, the memorial parlors of the Unitarian parish house, the vestries of the Columbia Street and Universalist Churches and other Bangor meeting places.

In 1896, the club boldly agreed to bring the Adamowski Quartette to Norumbega Hall for a concert appearance. The undertaking involved the breath-taking sum of $500. But it was a huge success, both musically and financially, and netted $105 for the treasury. The sponsorship of other cultural events followed, and with the proceeds of its successes the club was able to address other needs in the community.

The Bangor Nursing Association was founded with the help of The Athene Club’s 11th president, Charlotte Wood, and Mrs. Frank Hinckley. Support for this district nursing organization has been a continuing interest of the club. It must have been a source of pride and satisfaction to Mrs. Wood’s daughter, Louise Wood Smith, who at her death a few years ago, at 103, was the club’s oldest active member.

In 1910, Athene was joined by the Norumbega, Home Culture, and Bangor Women’s Clubs in organizing the City Federation of Bangor. This union, disbanded 25 years ago, supported the District Nursing Association.

In the great fire of 1911, the home of Athene’s president, Anne J. Barrows, was destroyed, but she was able to save the gavel which is still used. The meeting place was moved to the lecture room of the Bangor Public Library, later to the King’s Daughters Home on Ohio Street, and 40 years ago to the club’s permanent home in the vestry of the All Souls Church.

Amanda Wilson, another club president who was a member for more than 40 years, generously provided for the club she loved in her will. Because of the financial support of Mrs. Wilson and others, Athene was able to furnish a room in the YWCA building constructed in 1929. Known as “The Athene Room,” it has been enjoyed by many who have used it for teas and meetings.

Among the club presidents who will celebrate The Athene Club’s 100th birthday are Josephine Christmas, who has served two different terms, Margaret Coffin, Jan Conti, Bernice Thompson, and Cornelia Russell, the current president.

Besides continuing the good works initiated by earlier Athene presidents, these women have added the support of the Bangor School Children’s Fund and Spruce Run to the list of the club’s accomplishments.

Members will meet at the Pilots Grill Restaurant on May 14 for a noon luncheon and special program celebrating the history of the club. Highlights of the event will be a 100th anniversary cake and a show of fashions such as those worn by Athene members during the past century. The fashion show will be presented by Frances Webb Stratton, owner of the Museum of Vintage Fashion in Island Falls.

Lee Ryckman is a free-lance writer who lives in Bangor.


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