History of the Saturday Club
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FORMATION AND EARLY YEARS
On Friday, May 7, 1909, a group of Vacaville women, under the leadership of Mrs. Frank A. Steiger, held a preliminary meeting at the home of Mrs. W. L. Schroeder. The objective of the meeting was to establish a “Musical Club” for the purpose of "the musical improvement of its members and the stimulation of musical interest in Vacaville." Mrs. Steiger was asked to chair the meeting and Mrs. S. F. Ellison was named Secretary-Treasurer, pro tem. It was suggested to name the club “The Woman's Musical Art Club.”
On Tuesday, May 18, 1909, a second preliminary and organizational meeting was held at the home of Mrs. E. B. Jones. At this meeting, permanent officers were elected, the name was changed to “The Saturday Club of Vacaville”, and the first report of the Bylaws Committee was read. Thus, Mrs. Steiger, better known to her friends as "Kate", became the founder and first president of the club.
The members of the first Executive Board were:
Mrs. F. A. Steiger, President
Mrs. E. B. Jones, Vice President
Mrs. F. L. Yeaw, Secretary-Treasurer
Mrs. J. N. Rogers, Chair, Executive Committee
Mrs. S. P. Dobbins
Mrs. Monte Gates
Miss Rosalia Chandler
Mrs. S. F. Ellison
Miss Maude Buck
Miss Clara Agler
Mrs. J. M. Miller
Mrs. F. H. Tiebel
Mrs. W. B. Parker
On June 5, 1909, the first general meeting of The Saturday Club was scheduled to be held at the home of Mrs. J. N. Rogers but had to be moved to the Presbyterian Church on Main Street because the membership was already approaching 100 women. At this meeting the bylaws were adopted.
Subsequent regular general meetings of the Club were held at the Odd Fellows Hall at 536 Main Street. Concerts, which were also early fundraisers for the Club, were open to the public by subscription, and were usually held at the Presbyterian Church.
Programs for the regular monthly meetings were provided by the members, who, having been divided into three sections A, B, and C, presented musical subjects, e.g. "The Music of Scotland", "Biography of Bach", "Analysis of a Sonata", etc.
By 1914, the wording of the Club’s objective / mission statement had been changed to read "to form a recognized center for the social and mental culture, to further the education of women for the responsibilities of life, to encourage all movements for the betterment of society and to foster a generous public spirit."
The Saturday Club played a large part in Vacaville's early history and community activities. In 1910, the Club petitioned the Board of Trustees of the High School and the Grammar School to consider placing a "supervisor of music in our schools." This was accomplished within a month.
A QUEST FOR LITERACY
In 1910, after local residents successfully campaigned for a $5,000 grant from the Carnegie Library Building Fund, the Saturday Club established a committee to take charge of library planning.
In 1912, the Club started a free public library with 500 volumes on the corner of Main and Dobbins with Club members as the volunteer staff. At the same time, the Club also successfully pushed to get voters to approve a library district, which allowed the imposition of a 5-cent property tax for library maintenance and new purchases. The Carnegie library building opened to the public on July 17, 1915.
Early photo of the Carnegie Library on Main Street
A CLUBHOUSE OF OUR OWN
Early members of the Club put in many hours raising funds for various projects. Perhaps utmost in priority was the desire to have a clubhouse.
In 1936, when The Hotel Vacaville, later named the Vacaville Inn, was damaged by fire, the members of the Saturday Club saw an opportunity. They were able to purchase the building located at 367 Merchant Street (currently U.S. Bank). The Club raised funds to restore the damage and began using it as a clubhouse in January 1938.
OUR CURRENT HOME
In 1953, the Bank of America made a proposal to the Club to build a new clubhouse at West Kendal and Chandler Streets, in exchange for the original Clubhouse on Merchant Street. The new clubhouse was formally dedicated on Monday, May 3, 1954.
The Club celebrated the 70th anniversary of the dedication of the West Kendal Street Clubhouse at the August Membership Brunch in 2024.
FURNISHING THE CLUBHOUSE
Donations by several Club members helped build and furnish each Clubhouse. The fireplace at the Merchant Street Clubhouse was donated by Juliette Marshall and the plaque was transferred to the West Kendal Street Clubhouse in recognition of her gift. The fireplace mantel was donated by the Past Presidents Club. The beautiful gold mirror across from the entry was presented by Mrs. Peter Cook of Rio Vista. The Steinway grand piano was given by Mrs. F.B. Noyes, and the piano bench was donated by Mrs. George Samuels. The original silver service was given by Mrs. Frank H. Buck. The original Past Presidents' plaque listing all the Presidents with their term in office was given by the Vaca Hills Chapel. Mr. Philip Nollar made an expanded Past Presidents Plaque to accommodate the names of the additional Past Presidents. The framed mirror in the hallway was given by Elizabeth and Clyde Weldon. The mantle clock, which is an antique German free swinger, was given by Mr. & Mrs. Curt Williams. Mary Helen Daigh's mother, Mrs. Thomas Clay, donated the framed silk United States flag. The picture of the California Poppies was given in 1995 by artist Doris Henderson-Flood. The gold mirror on the south wall was donated in 1996 by Virginia Copple in honor of her aunt, Leila McKevitt. In 2015, Kathleen Keeter donated the watercolor painting of yellow roses by and in honor of artist Norma Stolling.
IN SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY
In 1956, a committee of Saturday Club members helped secure a meeting place for the recently established Senior Citizens Club of Vacaville.
The Saturday Club has assisted the community in many ways over the past 100 + years. It sponsored "Cleanup the Town" and "Anti-fly" campaigns in the 1910's, USO Activities during World War II, and the "Save the Trees" initiative in the 1970's.
Over the years, the Club has raised funds for many organizations such as the Vacaville Art League & Gallery, Tele-Care Services, Meals on Wheels, Heart Fund, Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Firemen's Christmas Fund, the Sacramento Symphony Travel Orchestra, the North Bay Opera, the Solano County Immunization Clinic, and Opportunity House. The Club has also helped to support local music school programs.
THE TURN OF A NEW CENTURY
Between 2000-2010, the Club recognized Vacaville citizens who contributed significantly to the community, and specifically to the arts, by presenting an Annual Recognition Dinner. Honorees included David Fleming, Richard Rico, Don Birrell, John Vasquez, Sr., David Barthelmess, Marjorie Carroll, Drs. Jill and Ken Hunter, Patricia and Richard Gideon and Steven J. Nadeau. Proceeds from the Recognition Dinner benefitted Saturday Club’s support of the arts.
Also in the early 2000's, the Club began hosting the popular “Sugar and Spice,” a children’s tea bringing out multiple generations of family members to enjoy. The tradition continues today with themes alternating between teddy bears and dolls.
In December 2002, the Club’s mission statement was updated to “Support the cultural arts in Solano County and pursues the betterment of the community through various other means.”
The Saturday Club Foundation was established in 2003. It provides scholarships to local students with a background in the arts who are continuing their education at institutions of higher learning. It’s a continuation of the Saturday Club Scholarship Program originated in 1974. The Club and its Foundation have invested over $250,000 in the educations of young artists over the past 50 years.
A 100 YEAR MILESTONE
The Saturday Club celebrated its 100th anniversary during the 2008-09 Club year. A 100th Anniversary Reception was held on May 9, 2009, which was open to the public. The Club was presented with a State of California Assembly Resolution recognizing its contributions to the community and the arts. In its final celebration of 100 years, the Club entered a float in the annual Vacaville Fiesta Days Parade, winning a second-place award.
THE RECENT PAST
In the past 16 years, the Club has honored its longtime members and worked on maintaining and redecorating the clubhouse. The Club survived the COVID19 pandemic with the help of a grant for local organizations designed to offset related financial losses. The Board of Directors initiated a fundraising effort to establish a Donor Board plaque to help promote Club sustainability. The Club resumed in-person meetings, fundraisers and activities beginning in 2021.
In 2021, discounted rental rates were established for cultural arts groups who use the clubhouse for art shows, recitals and performances.
TODAY’S SATURDAY CLUB
The Club sponsors the Fiesta Days Youth Talent Show and provides holiday gifts and entertainment for senior living facilities.
In 2022, the Club held its first annual “Sip and Shop” vendor fair, which invites local artisans to sell their goods during the holiday season.
In 2025, the Club was one of the sponsors of the inaugural “Glorious Golden Girls” recognition event, a celebration of Solano County women ages 85-100 years old who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of others. The Club nominated four of our members and hosted a conversation with them at our August Membership Brunch.
“Toast and Talk with our Glorious Golden Girls,” August Membership Brunch, 2025