BELLE HAVEN WOMEN’S CLUB

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“The object of this club shall be to stimulate interest in the cultural, physical, and civic life of the community. Qualifications for admission shall be residence in Belle Haven, a willingness to promote the welfare of the Club by regular attendance, and a cheerful acceptance of duties.”

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1936Mrs. Bert Ray Landis “went door to door in ice, snow, sleet, rain and sunshine to invite every lady in Belle Haven to join.”

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“May our club always last.”

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1936The initiation fee is $1, dues are $2. Committees include garden, civic, handcraft, child study, literature, music, bowling and “gymn.”

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BHWC’s first homes tour: “the true spirit of colonial Virginia’s recognized talent for gracious and attractive home design.”

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Sen. Thomas Gore gives an “impressive and inspiring talk” on the Constitution at the March meeting.

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1938State Delegate Francis Pickens Miller visits BHWC to denounce totalitarian powers and the rise of Hitler: “War is horrible, but there are some things worse.”

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1938

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1939Prague, Oct. 11 – The Washington Post reports that Belle Haven resident Mrs. Harriet Hawes was detained by Nazis in Germany for stating “the United States will never trust Hitler.”

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1940BHWC holds bake sale to continue support of an “invalid blind boy” in Fairfax County. The club has been providing his milk for a year.

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1941BHWC’s Red Cross section meets every Wednesday from 10am-4pm to support those who’ve lost their homes in the London air raids.

They made five layettes, including 60 garments and 12 dozen diapers, sewn 60 flannel shirts, and knit 57 sweaters.

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1942BHWC’s Red Cross section increased production: The sewing group made 23 hospital bags, 55 sewing kits, 5 air-raid kits for women, 108 layette garments, 42 flannel shirts, 45 girls’ dresses, 7 wool dresses, 44 pairs flannel pajamas. The knitters made 144 sweaters.

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1940sTypical Belle Haven phone numbers began with “TE” or “OV” or “AL” followed by four numerals. “KI” numbers were followed by five numerals. House numbers ranged from one to three numerals.

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1950BHWC dues raised to $6.

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1950BHWC pays a distressed neighbor’s mortgage for three months.

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As part of its “World Tour,” members attended events featuring speakers, crafts, and delicacies from Finland, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Hawaii.

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1951 The annual Flower Show attracts 400.

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1951

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1952 marks 15 years of annual Flower Shows

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1952Christmas Party: $3.25 per couple.

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1953The Netherlands Embassy thanks the Belle Haven Women’s Club for the clothes gathered for flood victims in Holland.

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1956Mamie Eisenhower is accompanied by BHWC Garden Club members at the National Capital Flower and Garden Show.

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1957The “fashion parade” features vintage dresses from the 1840s to the 1930s. Here Mrs. Samuel Zeigler “struts a beautiful brown beaded dress of the 1920s in her irrepressible manner.” BHWC75

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“With that gentle daintiness and charm that is characteristic of all of the women of Japan,” wife of the Japanese Ambassador tells BHWC of the new rights and privileges granted to women in Japan since the war and encourages the US “to continue to cultivate our friendship.”

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1959The first cookbook: “the cosmopolitan aura of Belle Haven community, south of Alexandria, is reflected in the international cookbook published by the Belle Haven Women’s Club.”

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BHWC’s Garden Club hosts annual Christmas-time home tours that include horticultural and decorating competitions. ASilver Tea is part ofthe festivities.

50s-60s

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1960-61BHWC’s Book Section dedicates the year to reading books an every major religion. Outings include visits to Islamic centers and Hebrew congregations.

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1962March 7 – Jackie Kennedy and her children come to Belle Haven to dine at the Gallaghers’. Mary Gallagher spoke to the club about her book My Life with Jacqueline Kennedy at what was the largest group ever to attend a BHWC meeting.

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50s-70sBeginning in1954, Belle Haven Women’s Club offered scholarships annually to outstanding young women from Fairfax County who wish to pursue a degree in sociology.

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The Annual Benefit & Silver Coffee raises funds for the scholarship program.

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1965The Garden Club sells calendars for $1.50.

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1965Street addresses change to our current numbering system. For example, 18 Vernon Terrace became 6108.

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Christmas Dance,Laura Whelan, president.

1965

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176 members and guests meet to hear psychic Jeane Dixon 1967

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The gavel, given by the National Manufacturer’s Association, is made from wood that was part of the White House roof from 1815-1927.

1967

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1969

Cookbook: “Favorite Recipes from Belle Haven”

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BHWC member Mrs. Ronald Ziegler, wife of President Nixon’s Press Secretary, arranges a private tour of the White House for club members.

1970

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Lord and Taylor Fashion Show:“The ever popular pant suit with matching scarf was a smash.”

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Meet the Press creator and first moderator Martha Rountree speaks about moral pollution: “it is hard to figure out what has happened to our nation…Studentsare suddenly caught up in the hysteria of mob action.”

1971

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Secretary of the Army Robert Froelke address the club about the U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

1972

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Home & Garden tour: 2106 Belle Haven, 1913 Windsor, 6115 Vernon Terrace, 2223 Windsor, 6119 Vernon Terrace

1975

1975

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The first Oktoberfest is held.

1978

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Sherry glasses, cups and saucers, and silver flatware and serving pieces are available for use at Section meetings or can be rented from BHWC for personal use.

1984

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September’s annual new member coffee.

1985

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Casual and formal fashions, from Body’s Ltd. in Old Town.

1986

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BHWC votes to hold an evening meeting once a year so women who are not able to come to the daytime meetings may attend.

1988

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Lea Shuba and Jane Wells, co-chairs of the Garden Section, plant bulbs at Saunders Circle. Note the water tower behind the flagpole in the picture.

1989

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A beacon of teenage rebellion for decades, the water tower is climbed for the last time before being dismantled by the Fairfax Water Authority.

1989

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Fashions by Laura Ashley.

1989

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Fashion Show: apparently big stripes and big hats were big.

1990

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First Halloween parade at Fort Willard Circle.

1990

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Marguerite Kelly, author of The Mother’s Almanac and the nationally syndicated column “The Family Almanac,” speaks.

1993

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BHWC donates more than $25,000 to area schools and charities, including UCM, Mondloch House, and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

1989-94

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1996

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UPI reporter Helen Thomas speaks to BHWC about her new book, Front Row at the White House.

2000

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2010

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In addition to Senator John Warner, many elected officials and dignitaries have called Belle Haven home:Senator Thad CochranMajor General Harry Hawkins VaughnCongressman James G. MartinCongressman George Huddleston, Jr.Congressman Eugene SilverAmbassador Edward S. LittleAmbassador John Hamilton

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Belle Haven residents always knew when President Truman was expected in the neighborhood when they noticed men wearing hats and trench coats hiding in the bushes at General Vaughn’s house.

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Our neighborhood has inspired a few funny nicknames: from area contractors, Build Haven; from rival country clubs, Blonde Haven.

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