The Friday Morning Club of Los Angeles
historic place
The Friday Morning Club in Los Angeles, California, is a historic place. Founded in 1891 by abolitionist and suffragist Caroline Severance, the club began with 87 women. Its mission focused on self-improvement, arts study, philanthropy, and civic betterment for Los Angeles. Membership exceeded 1,800 by the 1920s. The club established the country's first public kindergarten, juvenile court, and traveling library. In 1900, its first clubhouse was built on Figueroa Street. This was replaced in 1923 by a larger, Italian Renaissance Revival-style building, designed by Allison & Allison. A historical marker, erected in 1978, recognizes its role in 'Perpetuating the spirit of the cultural involvement of Los Angeles women'. The building is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The club dissolved in 2012.