History
On July 9, 1892 a few Santa Fe women formed a society named The Benevolent Association, which later became the Women’s Board of Trade & Library Association; their purpose was to make civic improvements and establish a library.
The first improvement, completed in January 1895, was the transformation of the Plaza. Alfalfa was uprooted, sunken ground filled, grass seed sown, the picket fence and turnstiles replaced coping. The Public Library and Reading Room with 400 books opened on January 15, 1896 in the Barracks Building at the northwest corner of the Plaza.
In March 1903 the Territorial Legislature gave the Board a piece of land on Washington Street where the Library building was begun in 1907 and by 1915 contained 3,500 books.
Remodeled by Spanish Pueblo Architect John Gaw Meem, the library reopened in 1933.
In 1931 the Women’s Board of Trade merged with the Santa Fe Women’s Club which was organized in 1912. The objectives were to promote civic, educational, philanthropic and library work, to conduct a free public library and to maintain Fairview Cemetery in the City of Santa Fe.
Club maintenance of Fairview Cemetery began in 1899 and continued until 1978 when the Cemetery was donated to Santa Fe County. The City of Santa Fe purchased the Library from The Women’s Club in 1962. At the time, the Club donated the Library book inventory, appraised at over $100,000.00 to the City. Money from the sale made it possible for the Club to purchase land at 1616 Old Pecos Trail. The Club House was completed and dedicated on February 19, 1964.
The Santa Fe Women’s Club continues to support the Santa Fe Public Library and civic improvements. Each year the SFWC&LA contributes to the Santa Fe Woman’s Club 125th Anniversary Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Santa Fe Community College Foundation. The Club also supports community projects and organizations such as Kitchen Angels, Food Depot, Empty Stocking Fund, St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, La Familia, Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library, blood drives, vaccine clinics, and numerous others.
The SFWC&LA was named “A Santa Fe Living Treasure” in 2003. We were the first and only organization in the city to have received this wonderful honor. Members are proud to be in an organization that is committed to our community.
