Arrangement
The Halcyon Club of Polo records consists of two series: Halcyon Club of Polo and the Literary Clubs of Polo.
Administrative/Biographical History
The Halcyon Club of Polo was organized in 1886 so the members could read and study the subjects they knew nothing about. Mrs. Mary Perkins, the founder of the group, persuaded the members to take the four-year Chautauqua course of study, which was lead by the club president Mrs. Clendenning. Miss Kate Phelps was the club promoter at whose house the first meeting was held. In 1890 the ten members of the Halcyon Club completed the four-year Chautauqua course. Six of the members, Mrs. Mary Perkins, Miss Kate Phelps, Mrs. Chase, Miss Ida Mason, Mrs. Emma Wales, and Julia Lawrence, went to Chautauqua, New York to receive their diplomas.
The members of the Halcyon Club met once a week, later meeting two times a month, and presently once a month. Meetings consisted of lectures by members on a variety of topics such as travel, history, art, literature, book reviews, and current events.
In 1921 the club members voted to disband the Halcyon Club so greater strength might be given to the newly formed Woman’s Club. The money left in the treasury was split between a gift for Mrs. Florence Rowland, the last president, and a memorial to the Halcyon Club to be placed in the Library. The Women’s Club decided not to have study departments that year so the members of the Halcyon Club decided to form a club called the Study Club. The first meeting of the Study Club was held on October 5th 1921 with current events as the topic of discussion. The Halcyon club was reestablished on October 18, 1922 with a revised constitution adopted by members on that date.
For the Club’s centennial in 1986 a walnut plaque was donated to Polo’s historical Aplington House. The plaque had names of all the charter members and the names of the present centennial members and associates.
