History

Founded in July 1894, the Saturday Afternoon Club of Santa Rosa was a bold new idea, as women’s clubs were a rarity at the time. The inspiration came from Mrs. Martin J. Cochrane, who brought the concept to Santa Rosa after visiting the Santa Barbara Women’s Club. Six local women joined forces to create the Saturday Afternoon Club, which has since become one of the oldest continuously operating women’s clubs in the United States.

The club began with six women meeting in their homes for tea and thought-provoking discussions. As membership grew, it quickly outgrew the largest homes in Santa Rosa, including Mableton, the residence of founding member Ralphine McDonald. A dedicated clubhouse became essential.

Ralphine’s son, Mark McDonald Jr., sold land on 10th Street to the club for $800—a sum raised by the members themselves. However, securing the funds to construct the building proved more challenging. Every bank in town—ironically managed by the husbands of some members—refused to lend the women money, labeling them a poor financial risk.

Undeterred, the club secured a private loan from Laura Huntoon, the wealthy aunt of member Laura Cragin. Huntoon loaned $4,375 for construction, with an extra $100 for the architect, Brainerd Jones. Four months after breaking ground, the clubhouse was completed. Defying the naysayers, the Saturday Afternoon Club repaid the loan in full by 1919, just 11 years later.

From the beginning, the club has met regularly to educate members, advocate for women’s rights, support community improvement, and promote civic responsibility—all while enjoying tea together. Over the years, specialty groups have focused on books, music, lectures, charitable fundraising, and more.

In times of need, the club has stepped forward. During World War I, the clubhouse became a hub for organizing medical supplies for soldiers. During the 1918 flu pandemic, it was transformed into an emergency hospital for the Red Cross. In 1920, members successfully lobbied the city to remove the notorious “hanging tree” in the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, which had become a macabre tourist attraction. The club also played a key role in organizing Sonoma County’s Juvenile Court and has awarded scholarships to Santa Rosa Junior College women for decades.

Today, the club remains active in community advocacy. Our History Section is currently working to restore the 1907 Railroad Square Water Tower, an iconic symbol of Santa Rosa’s agricultural heritage and Italian-American influence.

Since 1894, the Saturday Afternoon Club has spearheaded countless projects that have shaped our community. Along the way, we have formed lasting friendships, made significant contributions to Santa Rosa, and, of course, enjoyed plenty of tea.