Woman's Culture Club of Llano

• In the spring of 1901, a group of ladies having a picnic under the shade of the pecan trees along the bank of the Llano River began discussing the need for books and literature in Llano. Miss Jennie Clopton suggested forming a club.
• The club was officially founded on September 17, 1901.
• Mrs. George M. (Lutie) Watkins was the first president.
• The club changed names several times: Woman’s Literary Society, the Clio Literary Club, and the Woman’s Culture Club (1905)
• The first motto was “The Clock of Time Has Tolled the Women’s Hour”. Later changed to “Not For Self, but for All”
• The stated purpose of the club was to function for the social and literary advancement of the members and the civic improvement of the community

• First book given to Llano schools was a dictionary in 1902
• 1904 A Library was established with 109 books. It was called the Clapton Library and was housed in the home of Mrs. C.R. Porter *
• 1939 A club room and library of native stone was completed with the aid of the Public Works Administration, the PWA financing 70% and the WCC the remainder
• Library chosen to be first bookmobile in Texas 1958*

• The club building was originally the home of George M. Watkins (1863-1945) and his wife Lutie McLean (d. 1921)
• The construction of the building was completed in 1916
• Mrs. Watkins was the first president of the Woman’s Culture Club

Mr. and Mrs. George M. Watkins

• The Clubhouse is thought to have been constructed by J.R. Blakemore.  The architecture has been described as American Prairie School design with Mediterranean accents. 
• After the death of the Watkins, the home was given to the Woman’s Culture Club and has been in its ownership since 1952
• It is the meeting place of the Culture Club and is available for showers, weddings, social and civic events. 

The Clubhouse Today

Various repairs have been made to the house over the years.  LCRA grants have been used in 2005 and 2013 for restoration.  There are currently much needed repairs to wood trim, front porch, screens, plumbing, electrical wiring, sprinkler system and landscaping.  The membership is hopeful in applying again for grant money and the generosity of the community to maintain the house in a manner that would make the Watkins proud. 

Keep us, oh God, from pettiness.
Let us be large in thought, in word, and in deed.
Let us have done with fault-finding.
And leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense,
And meet each other face to face
Without self-pity and without prejudice.

May we never be hasty in judgment
And always generous.
Let us take time for all things;
Make us grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses
Straight-forward and unafraid.

Grant that we may realize 
It is the little things
That create our differences
That in the big things of life,
We are at one.
And may we strive to touch and to know
The great, common human heart of us all,
And, O Lord God, let us forget not
To be kind.

Mary Stewart, 1904