The Dallas Federation of Women’s Clubs (DFWC), originally named the City Federation of Women’s Clubs, was created in 1898 as the consolidation of five existing women’s cultural and literary clubs. At the general meeting on November 3, 1931, the federation entertained a recommendation for the formation of the Three Arts Study Club, a new women’s literary group whose focus was programming on art, music, and literature.
Several years later, in 1953, the Junior Three Arts Study Club was formed by and for the daughters and daughters-in-law of the senior club members. Their purpose, too, was to study music, art, and literature. The group also provided social activities and fundraising events for its members in Dallas, Texas and surrounding areas. The tree emblem illustrates the many limbs that grow from the three main branches of the arts: literature, art, and music.
Talks and meetings took place in members’ homes on the second Wednesday of each month. During the inaugural year, the group heard from another notable speaker/scholar in the archives of women of the Southwest: Ermance Rejebian. Not only did members study the arts, some were talented artists themselves as seen in this piece from a club member in 1953:
The 10th anniversary banquet took place at the Metropolitan Savings and Loan Building off of Preston and Forest. The theme was the Old South, and women and men dressed in period clothing, while southern music and decorations lined the hall. In 2003, the group celebrated their 50th anniversary.
The Junior Three Arts Study Club records comprise scrapbooks containing photographs, newspaper clippings, and minutes of meetings, programs, rosters, party invitations, and drawings. Also included are five ledger books detailing members’ dues paid and club expenses.
Contact Samantha Dodd, curator of the Archives of Women of the Southwest for additional information or assistance with accessing these materials. The DeGolyer continues to expand our digitization efforts, adding new content weekly. We have thousands of items digitized and searchable in our digital collections. Be sure to browse our holdings to find more letters, photographs, manuscripts, imprints, art, and audio/video.