Members of the Ladies of the Round Table Study Club at the Clark Cottage on Middle Island Point on May 9, 1925. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

In mid-January 1855, a group of early residents gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Everett to form the Marquette Literary Association. They had meetings in various homes discussing books and questions of the day, as well as producing a paper known as the “Casket.” The group suspended their meetings during the summer navigation season.

About that time, Mrs. Newton established a school for girls called the Female Seminary, and in January 1859, with her help, the young ladies organized what they called the Concordia Society. The girls put out a paper and had regular meetings where essays they had written were read, and other social events held.

While primarily for girls, there were a few boys admitted to this day school, to help pay expenses, and they occasionally appeared on the programs. Quite a few of these young people remained in Marquette after they had grown up and no doubt kept up the literary club spark.

In 1871, Mrs. Frances Steele organized a women’s circulating book club. The women in the club pooled their money to purchase books which were then distributed among the group. Exchanges happened every alternate Saturday evening. Once everyone had read a book, it could be sold to any member who wanted it.

The club had at least 40 books in circulation each year. Shortly after their 25th anniversary, it was noted that the club had purchased around 800 books over the years, ranging in price from 25 cents to 10 dollars. Topics included “travel, biographies, essays on literary and speculative topics, philanthropy, politics, education and household economy,” in addition to novels of various kinds.

Over the years, many other study groups, book clubs and literary societies have called Marquette home. Many were established by women looking for intellectual stimulation not easily available to them in a man’s world. The Marquette branch of the Fortnightly Club would choose individual research topics before presenting their findings at their meetings. The History Center has records from this group from 1904-2011.

Following this long tradition of local literary societies, the Marquette Regional History Center is hosting a new UP History Book Club. We will begin with a book about women who were very active in a man’s world- female lighthouse keepers in Michigan. Ladies of the Lights: Michigan Women in the U.S. Lighthouse Service by Patricia Majher will be discussed on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. This book gives you a glimpse into the lives of the 50 women who helped keep the lights burning bright in Michigan and protecting people sailing the Great Lakes over 105 years (1849-1954).

The club will meet at the History Center every other month. Our plans for the rest of the year include: Kawbawgam: The Chief, The Legend, The Man, by Tyler R. Tichelaar (April 16); We Kept Our Towns Going by Phyllis Wong (June 25); Laughing Whitefish by Robert Traver aka John Voelker (August 20); Wolf’s Mouth by John Smolens (October 15); a special session The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald 50th Anniversary Edition by Frederick Stonehouse (November 5); and any book by Dr. Russell Magnaghi (December 17). Books are available for purchase at the Spring & Third, the History Center gift shop.