Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo

The Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo (LLA) is a woman's club in Kalamazoo. Officially incorporated in 1852[1] it was the first women's club organized in Michigan and the third organized in the United States[2]. Its purpose was to promote the cause of equal education for women.[3]

Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo
Formation1852
FounderLucinda Hinsdale Stone
Founded atKalamazoo, Michigan
TypeWoman's club
Websiteladieslibrarykzoo.org

History
Lucinda Hinsdale Stone

The Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo (LLA) grew from a reading group first organized in 1844. One of the original organizers was Lucinda Hinsdale Stone.[4] During the mid-19th century the LLA provided library services to the local residents. Yearly subscriptions cost fifty cents and were available to both men and women, however only women could be members of the organization.[1] The collection expanded, first being housed in members houses, to the Kalamazoo County Courthouse and then Corporation Hall.

In addition to creating Kalamazoo's first lending library, the LLA activities have included advocating for the right for women to vote, the creation of day nurseries for working mothers, founding Kalamazoo's first art club, and establishing a community education program for women.[5]

The Building
Main article: Ladies Library Association Building
Ladies Library Association Building

The Ladies Library Association Building in Kalamazoo, Michigan was the first building erected as a women's club in the United States.[6] It was also the country's first structure owned by a women's organization.[5] It was built in 1879 in the Venetian Gothic Revival style.[6]

gollark: Anyway, if you get me the coords of the middle of both my plots, and tell me which is which, I can tell you approximately where the shield projector is.
gollark: Roughly my plot ID.
gollark: Also. What kind of idiotic terrariolan moron has no backups at all?
gollark: If you can ACTUALLY GET THOSE COORDS I ASKED FOR, this would be easy.
gollark: No.

References
  1. Carlson, Sharon. "Kalamazoo Ladies' Library Association". Seeking Michigan. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  2. "Ladies' Library Association". Discover Kalamazoo. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. "Our History". Ladies' Library Association. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. "Historical Markers Near Bronson Park". Kalamazoo Co. Michigan USGenWeb page. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  5. Mack, Julie. "Kalamazoo's first feminists: Ladies Library Association blazed a trail for women and the community". MLive Michigan. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  6. "Ladies Library Association". Kalamazoo Public Library. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
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