I met the current members of The Hudson
Fortnightly Club 3 years ago this month on a stunning sunny Fall day. I was asked to speak about my book Haunted Catskills at one of their bi-monthly meetings, and became fascinated with this literary club from the start.
Writing a book is a journey and I'm continually amazed at how many new people are met along the way, and the doors that open.
Becoming a member, is where I met the late Kevin Novak, a local expert on the Titanic and Hudson's Titanic survivor Gretchen Fiske Longley.
The Hudson Social Reading Club was organized on January 22, 1879, with 50 members. It was created for social purposes at the height of the 19th-century social club era. The club reconvened the following autumn, on the evening of November 10, 1879. In her 1909 book History of the City of Hudson, Anna R. Bradbury wrote, “The literary menu was prepared by a committee who announced the fortnightly feast of reason and flow of soul.” Bradbury stated that the club’s formation was at the mention of “Miss Mary Gifford.” On November 5, 1888, the club was reorganized and renamed the Hudson Fortnightly Club. There were a few changes, most notably the omission of gentlemen, as well as the decision to hold meetings in the afternoon versus in the evening. A membership in these clubs was considered at the time to be a necessary and proper part of a well-rounded middle- and upper-class lifestyle. Original meetings were held in the homes of its members, in the parlors of prominent families’ mansions in the neighborhoods of Allen Street and Willard Place. A high tea followed the business meeting, with all the required silver service, bone china, linens, floral decorations, and fine cuisine and a dress code that included hats and gloves. Today, the meetings are given to a more casual attire and meeting place, in the central location of a church hall. Some traditions of the club are still retained today, however, with a formal business meeting followed by a receiving line, where the hostess and the committee greet members and the day’s guest speaker. A tea still follows, poured in the formal style, while sandwiches and sweets are passed by the hostess and the committee. This club is one of a small group of social clubs having made the transition from the 19th century into the 20th and 21st. The club’s ability to transcend three centuries was due to growth and change with the times and the needs of its members.
Sadly, a final decision was made to discontinue the club
and a final lunch was held yesterday at Yianni's in Chatham.
The club's artifacts are held at both the Hudson Area Library History Room and the DAR, 113 Warren Street.
https://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Images-America-Lisa-LaMonica/dp/1467122602/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475940555&sr=1-1&keywords=Lisa+LaMonica
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| Yianni's |
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| Hudson's Titanic survivor, courtesy the late Kevin Novak |
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| The Inn at Hudson where past Fortnightly Club meetings took place. Courtesy Windle Davis |
