WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
THE ST. GEORGE LITERARY ARTS CLUB
St. George, Utah
LOCATION
No longer in existence.DESCRIPTION
TBDHISTORY
It was in late 1944 or early 1945 when Barbara Barton, Nina Atkin, Hilma Holt, Helen Thompson and Lela Coxmet to celebrate a birthday lunch at the Big Hand Cafe which was conveniently located in the center of
St. George and where Nina worked. These women had been classmates in school. They were married and some
of their husbands were fighting in the war. The girls were worried and lonely and sought each other's company.
They talked of calendaring regular visits and scheduling regular card games to combat their loneliness. Nina
suggested that book reviews would be more stimulating and might take their minds off the pressure of the war.
Barbara Barton visited the county library and consulted with the librarian who had read many of the newly
published books. She recommended that the group read them too. The five young women decided to invite
other classmates and new friends and experiment in preparing and giving book reviews. People they contacted
were receptive and they discussed the possibility of organizing a literary club.
After several meetings, it was decided to draw up a constitution for a club with a set of bi-laws for its operation. Special events were planned and scheduled. "The Literary Arts Club" was born and one of the original five girls commented "What do you think we will be doing sixty years from now?".
Recorded in Nina Atkin's diary are the following club member's: Jane Sullivan, Jane Lauper, Fawn Pickett,
Karma Leavitt, Erma Sandburg, Hattie Nelson, Marie Merrill, Alma Stratton, Ruth Squire, Arn Cox, Ramona
Schmutz, Barbara Barton, Hilma Holt, Lela Sullivan, and Helen Thompson.
The Literary Arts Club was dissolved in 2009. However until 2015, they continued the honor of appointing
an outstanding woman every year as their "Orchid Lady".