State of Florida Historic Marker -
Dedicated on August 17, 2016
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s proud history is the solid foundation upon which we continue to respond to the needs of our community.
In March 2012, President Linda Hartwell embraced my suggestion to install a State of Florida historic marker at our club house. Shortly after that, President Mireya Kilmon asked me to lead the project as Chairman of Public Issues since I had experience installing a marker for the Troop 7 Boy Scout Cabin.
The Club members held numerous fundraisers, including a History Hunt through Coral Gables championed by Kate Swain. President Mayra Dominguez and the Board made sure we had the funds needed to plan the installation before the end of this year.
This historic marker is a bold statement of our Club’s past accomplishments and a permanent reminder of our dedication and sense of civic duty to our community.
It is an honor and a privilege to have Mayor Jim Cason and esteemed guests with us on this historic occasion
Now, please unveil our commemorative plaque!
by Robin V. Burr, Public Issues & State of Florida Historic Marker Special Project Chairman
The text on the marker reads:
The Coral Gables Woman's Club is an icon of civic infrastructure in Coral Gables. After organizing in 1923, club members raised $10,000 to construct this clubhouse on land donated by the city. Designed by famed architect H. George Fink, the building was completed in 1936 by the Work Projects Administration using oolitic limestone (coral rock) from a local quarry. It was the first WPA project in Coral Gables. The clubhouse is one of the few remaining examples of Great Depression-era Moderne style architecture in Florida. One wing served as the first permanent location of the Library of Coral Gables. The other wing served as the clubhouse for the Woman's Club, whose members organized the library in 1927. To advance community outreach, club members also established the Coral Gables Children's Dental Clinic here in 1939. The Woman's Club took over the entire building after the library relocated in 1969, and continued to use the building for group functions. This building reflects the culture, education, growth and history of Coral Gables, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
photo captions right top to bottom
Our marker is placed prominently at the front of our property near the South Hall which was once the firs Coral Gables Library
Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason, Robin Burr and former Mayor Dorothy Thomson unveil the marker
Mayor Jim Cason says a few words with Dorothy Thomson, Robin Burr, Past Presdient Linda Hartwell, Past President Barbara Lapbsley and current Vice President Ruth Martinez looking on.
President Deborah Van Stone looks on as noted Coral Gables Historian Arva Moore Parks speaks about the marker.
Mayor Jim Cason, President Deborah Van Stone, former Mayor Dorothy Thomson and Historic Marker Chairnan Robin Burr proudly pose with the new marker.
