The Woman's Club building is the third such historic designation to be granted in Dade City.
By CHASE SQUIRES
Published November 14, 2003
DADE CITY - It has been a historic week for the Dade City Woman's Club, and for Dade City.
Woman's Club officers learned Monday that the landmark yellow club headquarters along Seventh Street had been accepted to the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that must be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Mayor Scott Black congratulated the club this week, and noted the designation is the third such historic recognition for Dade City. The restored train depot and the Church Avenue historic district both earned the recognition earlier.
"It's been a long time, but we were patient," club treasurer Julie Cotton said Thursday. "We're finally recognized."
Cotton was notified this week by the Florida Department of State that the federal government approved the club's listing. The federal listing came Oct. 13.
According to the state, listing on the National Register of Historic Places provides recognition, helps planners be aware of historic landmarks when approving construction in the area, and would ensure federal oversight if any federally funded project might damage the property.
The Woman's Club lies alongside Seventh Street, which is also U.S. 301. If the road were to be widened, federal designation could help protect the property, Cotton said.
Listing also could help earn new grants.
The Woman's Club recently completed a four-year renovation that used $127,500 in state restoration grants and $37,500 the club raised on its own. The interior has been restored, but the exterior still needs at least $10,000 worth of work. That is money the club will try to raise through donations, Cotton said.
The Woman's Club headquarters were built in 1926 and was designed by architect Artemes Roberts. It has remained as the Woman's Club throughout, hosting a variety of civic events, school dances, political debates, and weddings over the years.
It boasts floors made of heart pine, windows with the original glass, and a wooden balcony.
The club is a nonprofit charitable organization. The club's stated purpose is to bolster programs aimed at educating and assisting those in need.
Cotton said one of the club's main projects has been providing shoes for needy children. The club has recently provided more than $1,400 to provide shoes to children in 10 east Pasco schools.
