The Porch Club of Riverton

About

The Porch Club of Riverton is a non-profit association founded in 1890 for the purpose of inspiring, encouraging, educating and bettering its membership and the global community.

Story

For membership information contact Kit Miller at [email protected]

One of the oldest Federated Women’s Club in New Jersey, The Porch Club of Riverton was founded in 1890 by eight young women who met on a porch as a reading circle each week. They were soon joined by others, and in 1895 organized into a more formal women's organization dedicated to community service and cultural enrichment. Riverton's Porch Club has a proud history of service to the community, the county and the state.

At the same time members were studying literature and current events, they also studied parliamentary law, world politics and religions, English and Colonial history, and the lives of artists, musicians and authors.

From the beginning, their interest in children drove them to influence and improve education and welfare for children. Through the Porch Club, Burlington County’s first public school kindergarten was opened and the first woman was elected to a Board of Education.

In October 1900, in response to a call sent to clubs and organizations throughout the State, a State Congress of Mothers (now called the PTA) was formed in Riverton at the Presbyterian Church.

Village improvements were sought and accomplished. Classes in childcare were initiated for mothers, well-baby clinics set up, and then various other classes for adults were held. In 1912, a Visiting Nurse Service was established here (the Tri-Borough area) and a few years later, a residence was purchased for the two registered nurses. In the 1930’s, social services with a trained worker were begun and a room in the clubhouse was used as the office.

During WWI, a French orphan was “adopted” by the Club, a practice of sponsoring the care of one or more children in need that continues to the present time. Since 1974, this has been done through the Christian Children’s Fund. In the form of funds, supplies and services, the Porch Club has always responded to the needs of victims of wars and natural disasters, as well as to the needs of local residents during depressions and epidemics.

The Riverton Free Library has always been of special interest and some of the Porch Club’s earliest members are among its founders. Each year, special events raise funds for the library.

The Porch Club’s plays, musicals and flower shows were always popular social events, enjoyed by the entire community. In 1933, the first Christmas Tea and Open House was given. This has been an annual custom ever since. The Porch Club also takes part in the Philadelphia Flower Show.

When porches and homes were no longer adequate for meetings, the former Episcopal Sunday school building at 609 Main Street was rented for a clubhouse. This was the Porch Club home from 1904 – 1908, until the Government wanted the site for a Post Office. The Club gave up its lease, and rented temporary rooms over Adolph’s candy/cigar store at Broad and Main Streets while making plans for a more permanent site. A site was purchased at Fourth and Howard Streets, an architect and builder engaged, and ground broken in January 1909. The cornerstone was laid in March and the present building opened in May of the same year.

The Porch Club building is used by many groups, either through rentals or, in the case of organizations such as the Red Cross Bloodmobile, as a service donated by the Club. Each year, the Club gives contributions to local charitable groups and to State Federation projects. Awards are given to graduating seniors from Palmyra and Cinnaminson High Schools. A young woman in her junior year is chosen to go to Girl’s Career Institute at Douglass College – the State’s college for women that was established through the New Jersey State Federated Women’s Clubs (now a part of Rutgers University). Additionally, Porch Club members give many hours of volunteer service through civic, religious and service organizations of their choice.

Today, the Porch Club of Riverton meets on the first Tuesday of each month, October through May. The club is arranged into departments and committees of many kinds, from creative writing to charitable giving, from international affairs to gardening. Each department holds meetings and plan activities according to their programs. Membership is unlimited and new members are welcomed after being proposed and endorsed by a member in good standing.

The Porch Club continues to be “a center of thought and action for the women of Riverton” – as well as for others in the community - as was its purpose, stated on the porch, so many years ago.

Mission

To be a center for thought and action for women.