Our Mission & Purpose

The Dayton's Woman's Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to empowering women and strengthening our community through historical preservation, public engagement, cultural activities, and educational programs.

Our House

In the late 1840’s Robert W. Steele, for whom Dayton’s first high school was named, built a home at 225 North Ludlow Street. Napoleon Bonaparte Darst purchased the house in the 1860s and began extensive renovation and enrichment, thus changing the Classic Revival style of Mr. Steele’s home to the Second Empire style.

Our Beginning

In 1916, a group of civic-minded women met to plan the establishment of    an organization to provide women of the area with a center for social, civic, and literary activities. John H. Patterson urged his sister, Julia, to help the women of Dayton purchase a mansion that was still in good shape after the Great Dayton Flood. To finance the purchase, Marie J. Kumler, our very first president, led a stock-selling drive for the women. The founders sold stock at $10 per share and raised the $5,000 down payment.

On November 1, 1916, The Woman’s Clubhouse Company of Dayton, OH was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio.