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In 1898, the United States of America was preparing for its first encounter in international war. The preparations were busily being made for what was to become the Spanish-American War.
 Closer to home, the town of Milton was a rural village of 5,000 men, women, and children. The primary economic activity was farming, with some men going into the city of Boston to engage in their investment activities.
Despite this rustic setting, a small group of women established the Milton Woman's Club under the indomitable leadership of Miss Mary P. Webster. This new club was a nonpartisan, nondenominational organization. The club's purpose was to provide service and work for town improvement, library growth, and all matters pertaining to the public schools. These were truly ambitious goals for such a small group in a rural setting. The annual dues were set at 25 cents. Virtually every activity pertaining to the well-being of humans in the town of Milton is an outgrowth of the Milton Woman's Club.
Within a year of our foundation, the branch of the club for volunteer aid was so active in the efforts to help the local soldiers that it led to the establishment of the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Concerned with the intellectual development of the children, the club was the first to arouse the citizens of Milton into founding a public library. A fund was also established for the development of a children's room at that planned library. In 1904, the library was realized.
By 1906, the club sent money and clothes to the people made homeless by the San Francisco earthquake. That same year, the Woman's Club established a program for maternity clothing, as well as help to the townspeople who could not afford to buy clothes for their children. This effort grew into the Social Service League, which in time, developed into the Visiting Nurses' Association.
The Milton Woman's Club was also concerned with local schools and the advancement of the children. Summer Vocational Schools taught manual training, and a printing press was given to the high school. That same year, the club initiated a hot lunch program by paying the money to establish it and providing the service of its members. Eventually, the town took over the project. Again, that year the Collicott School was given a Fresh Air Room.
 Ever mindful of the needs of the students, a College Loan Fund was established and later a Scholarship Fund was set. Most of the organizations in town followed the club's actions and offer Scholarship Aid to college-bound students.
In 1909, a Tuberculosis Clinic was established through the funding and efforts of the club, and the clinic was supported by vigorous sales of Christmas Seals. In the same year, the club gave $3,000 toward the establishment of a free bed in the Milton Hospital. The club also furnished a sitting room at the War Veteran's Hospital at Bedford.
During the 1920s, the Milton Woman's Club toiled steadily in the establishment and equipping of playgrounds for Milton's youth. During this period, ever mindful of aesthetics, the members of the club agitated to remove all billboards from the town, which gives Milton a more pleasant appearance today.
Also in this decade, tuberculosis was a broad threat to the health of our nation. The club established an education and assistance program in this area, helped establish the Norfolk County Camps, and developed camp vacations for Norfolk children.
With the opening of the Robert Bennet Forbes House, which became the China Trade Museum, the club was the first to come forth to organize volunteers. Weeks were spent opening crates. Priceless silver and china was polished, washed, and arranged in showcases as part of the preparations for the opening. For many years, members were the volunteer guides and lecturers in charge of the tours.
In 1974, the Library Tote Service was organized by the club so that books from the library could be delivered to the homes of shut-ins. At the end of 2 weeks, the books were picked up and new choices were delivered.
The following year, at the end of the Vietnam War, the Milton Woman's Club privately participated in the airlift for American-Vietnamese babies. Within a 48-hour period, thousands of dollars of baby food and supplies were collected to fund bringing the babies home.
In 1979, the Selectmen sought and received from the club a contribution to purchase a vehicle to be used for a new town program called “Shopping for the Elderly.” Club members not only contributed financially, but also organized the pickup system and provided the drivers. This activity led to the founding of the Council on Aging.
This history of the Milton Woman's Club is a story of 100 years of service to the people of Milton. The club has contributed tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, provided seed money for program development, and supplied the willing labor to make possible the establishment of what we have in our town to serve the people.
The Milton Women's Club was organized in 1898, joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts in 1900, joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs International in 1908, and was incorporated in 1913.
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