HISTORY

HISTORY OF THE CUTLER MEMORIAL BUILDING The Cutler Memorial, home of the Jaffrey Woman’s Club, was originally the Universalist Church. It was built and dedicated in 1845 and was called the “Union Meetinghouse.” A bell was bought and hung in the steeple in 1875. The present spire was added in 1883 and it includes a tower clock from the E. Howard Company of Boston. The clock is owned and maintained by the town of Jaffrey.

Reverend Myron Cutler served the church from 1887 to 1930, more than forty-two years. Following his death in 1930, the church members did not call another pastor, but instead, attended the Baptist Church or the Jaffrey East Congregational Church, now the United Church of Jaffrey. The building was offered by the Universalist Society of New Hampshire to the Jaffrey Woman’s Club in 1939, with the provision that it be known from then on as The Cutler Memorial, a historic site. It is maintained by the Jaffrey Woman’s Club for its simple beauty and historic value to the town of Jaffrey.

In 2024 the building was officially listed in the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.

HISTORY OF THE JAFFREY WOMAN’S CLUB In 1868 Mrs. Jane Cunningham Broly, a reporter for the New York World writing under the name of “Jennie June” was told she could not attend a banquet in honor of Charles Dickens because “she was a woman.” Disappointed and indignant, she organized a gathering for women in 1887 in New York City, which led to the formation of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs.

Meanwhile, here in Jaffrey, in 1915 a group of women organized the “Afternoon Reading Club.” In 1921 the reading club reorganized and became the “Monday Club.” The next year it became the “East Jaffrey Reading Club” and in 1923 became the Jaffrey Woman’s Club that we know today.

The first meetings were held in members’ homes, but as the club grew, the meetings were moved to the public library. In 1926 the club helped sponsor the two-volume Jaffrey Town History written by Albert Annett. The first Rummage Sale was held in that year, which the club has continued biannually as a service to the town.

In 1939 the vacant Universalist Church on the corner of Main and School Streets was offered to the club as their meeting place on the condition that is be named “Cutler Memorial” honoring its long-time minister, Rev. Myron Cutler, and be maintained as an historic site. The Jaffrey Woman’s Club, with full awareness of this responsibility, accepted the building on January 18, 1940. The first meeting in Cutler Memorial took place on April 9, 1940 and a formal dedication was held on November 15, 1940.

In 1946 a “Monte Carlo” night was held with the proceeds ($71.25) going to “the great need for dental care for area youngsters.” A free dental clinic for grade and middle school students was established, with matching funds from the state.

In the mid ‘40’s it was common to have 125 to 150 members of the club. A luncheon cost $0.75 and the menu included:

Cranberry juice cocktail Chicken and pineapple salad Potato chips and rolls

Ice cream with claret sauce Cookies, coffee, and mints

In 1954 we co-sponsored a student to attend Girls State and that went on for many years.

In 1956 Mrs. Abby Day donated the plaque in the front hall to honor the Rev. Myron L. Cutler.

In 1961 the first $100 Scholarship was awarded to a Conant High School girl (we now give a $2,000. Scholarship to a boy or girl), and we also sponsored Girl Scout Troop #267.

The club became incorporated in 1964 and gained 501(c)3 tax-deductible status in 1977

In 1971 a devastating fire happened as a result of a lightning strike to the steeple and the building was very severely damaged. Only through the love of the town for this building that houses the town clock and the devotion of the club to undertake the restoration was it possible to restore the building to be even more beautiful and “up-to-date” than it was before. The building was rededicated on December 21, 1971.

In 1972 the first “Morning with Books” was held to help fund the Dental Clinics. In 1980 the state discontinued the “Matching Funds” for the dental clinics, but we continue to raise money each year to help 15 to 30 grade and middle school children receive free dental care.

In 1975 the first discussions were held about withdrawing from the General Federation. The Jaffrey club did vote to withdraw from the Federation and focus more on our local issues, such as co-sponsoring Candidates Night and Warrant Review with the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce, donations to TEAM Jaffrey for the Downtown Revitalization Program, volunteering at the Jaffrey Food Pantry, and donating food for the Pantry at monthly meetings.

In 1990 a major restoration of the spire, tower, and new clock faces was accomplished over a three-year period by Skyline of America. The membership, with the town’s help, raised over $102,000 for that project.

In 1994 JWC began the fifth grade Woman’s History Essay Contest, awarding prizes for the three best-written essays.

The Adult Continuing Education (ACE) Grant to a Jaffrey woman was initiated in 2001.

In 2004 another lightning strike caused major water damage in the cellar and also required the installation of a completely new lightning protection system. The steeple and clock faces were also repainted at that time. The major portion of this expense was covered by our insurance. A very thoughtful member contributed the $500 deductible. As the staging was in place, the additional needed work (scraping and painting of the steeple) was done by Skyline of America, Inc. at a cost of $7,800 ($5,500 paid by JWC and $2,300 taken out of the Town Clock Fund).

Today, the Jaffrey Woman’s Club continues to provide dental care for our area children and to hold rummage, craft, bake, and plant sales amongst others, fundraiser parties, raffles - whatever it takes to raise the money to continue to preserve our beautiful, historic Cutler Memorial Building and support our involvement and dedication to the people in the community.

We welcome new members - it is a wonderful way to become involved in the community and meet interesting women for fun and socializing.

~~~~~ Compiled by Margaret Bean and Joanne Buck Sept. 2004