The Junction City Ladies Reading Club will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their clubhouse on 224 North Jefferson Street.  The Festival is open to all and will include the sale of their signature pecan halves, a gift basket drawing, and homemade baked goods, many of which will be “freezable” for use during the holidays.

Sweet rolls and muffins will also be sold in the morning followed by a soup and sandwich lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The cost for the luncheon will be $5 per person.  Coffee, tea or water will be provided.

According to club member Susan Moyer the Ladies Reading Club grew from an aid society that formed in the latter part of the 1800’s when a small group of women met to sew, roll bandages, etc. to assist with the crises of their day.  To help pass the time and make their work more enjoyable, one of their circle was often designated to read aloud to the group as they worked.

In addition to providing entertainment, this voice also helped to bring literary offerings to women who otherwise had little access to them.  Opportunities for education beyond the early grades were few and far between for most people of that era and particularly so for women.  This served as motivation for the aid group to start a formal club in 1875 with the vision of providing its members with access to literature and educational programs.

As part of this a clubhouse was built in 1897 at the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets to provide a permanent meeting place for the group.  With that the Junction City Ladies Reading Club holds two prominent distinctions, the oldest Kansas affiliate of the international General Federation of Women’s Clubs as well as the holder of the oldest clubhouse west of the Mississippi that is still in operation.

The club also holds the distinction of laying the foundation for several important community organizations and services.  This includes the public library, the historical society and the Junction City Little Theater.

The Fall Festival is the group’s main fundraising activity and the proceeds will be used to continue the group’s commitment to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.  This includes support for students, families and veterans.  Moneys earned from the festival will also be used for the upkeep and maintenance of the historic clubhouse.