Akron Woman’s City Club reinvents itself at 100

Akron Woman’s City Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary Wednesday with a Centennial Membership Tea and the usual elegance.

There were times when the milestone was in doubt.

The stately lodge at 732 W. Exchange St. has endured major fires, several wars, devastating storms, economic recessions, societal changes, a global pandemic and, most recently, a large debt.

“This club has come back so many times,” President Suzanne Shriber said.

During its peak in the 1980s, the organization had 1,350 members and a two-year waiting list. Today, the number is close to 90.

With declining revenue, there was a $200,000 deficit. When Shriber took office in July, she didn’t want to be known as the club’s final president during her two-year tenure.

Members had to make some decisions.

They dismissed staff and hired a caterer instead of a private chef, actions that once would have been considered unthinkable. They opened the building to the general public, serving breakfast and lunch four days a week. They emphasized the historic property as a venue for weddings, receptions, banquets, business meetings, private parties and other events.

And they introduced business memberships and expanded recruitment efforts. Prospective members are invited to call or visit the club to take a tour.

“It used to be you had to have a sponsor,” said Charlotte Buzzelli, a member since 1980. “You had to have someone you knew. It has to be more open to the community, and I think we’re heading in that direction.”

Buzzelli said “it took a strong woman like Suzanne Shriber to get the ball rolling.”

“In this day and age, I think you have to be more inclusive of groups and people,” Shriber said. “You can’t be exclusionary. You can say, ‘No, that isn’t how we do things.’ You’ve got to change. You’ve got to change to stay current.”

And that large debt?

“The women pulled together and paid it off,” Buzzelli said.

“We’re out of debt,” Shriber said.

“We’ve turned the ship around for this iconic club,” receptionist Suzanne Brillhart said.

Akron club formed in 1923

According to its mission statement, the Akron Woman’s City Club serves “as a facility for the philanthropic, educational, cultural, civic and social activities for the enrichment of its members and the community.”

The club organized Feb. 8, 1923, at the Mayfield Avenue home of Helen Wolle, a niece of Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling. Its well-to-do members hailed from some of Akron’s most prominent families: Polsky, Yeager, Crawford, Harter, Robinson, Leggett, Saalfield, Dauby, Williams and Bowman. Wolle was elected first president.

The women initially rented the Mason House at 115 S. Union St. before relocating in 1926 to the Pythian Temple at 34 S. High St. Among early philanthropic activities, the club held benefits for charities, raised funds for hungry children, sent girls to summer camps, distributed baskets to needy families and bought wheelchairs for polio patients.

In 1946, the Akron Woman’s City Club moved to its permanent home, Grey Lodge, the 40-room mansion built by B.F. Goodrich Superintendent Bertram G. Work in 1901. It later served as the residence of Goodyear Vice President George M. Stadelman before operating for a decade as a convalescent home.

The club bought the property for $30,000 and spent another $200,000 on remodeling and landscaping. It’s been home ever since.

In 1948, the Little Theatre Players transformed the carriage house into the Coach House Theatre. Nearly 75 years later, Akron audiences continue to enjoy plays in the 75-seat space.

“Four years ago, we rented it to None Too Fragile, and that has been a very big blessing,” club member Jane Delcamp said. “They have really rehabbed that theater. I think it’s a nice collaboration.”

The club is a place where the past meets the present. For example, the old bells from the Pythian Temple can be found at the main entrance.

“You can ring them like crazy,” Delcamp said.

Meanwhile, a restroom near the president’s room and boardroom has a sign that can be switched from “Women” to “Men.”

“You can just flip it back and forth,” she said.

Bet the club’s charter members never dreamed of that.

Restaurant at Grey Lodge

Caterer Mark DiFeo, who has been in business for more than 40 years, leases the kitchen and handles staffing. He described the club as not just a place but an attitude.

“We’re getting the castle back in order,” he said.

The 501(c)3 nonprofit club is expanding and improving, he said, and has the facilities “to do most anything.”

People have rented out the entire building for weddings, for example.

High teas have been held with teacups and saucers over 100 years old.

The Fairlawn Chamber brought in Cleveland Guardians Vice President Bob DiBiasio as a speaker.

“It’s become a destination,” DiFeo said.

Grey Lodge has a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

“I’m not sure everybody knows that,” he said.

The ballroom has seating for 80 people, the Crystal Dining Room, Wolle Lounge and Godard Room can each hold 40 guests and the club terrace is available for 25. The club is handicapped accessible and has an elevator. Parking is free and ample.

There are plans for dinner theater packages and a speakeasy.

“We have a lot of ideas,” DiFeo said. “As each one becomes accomplished, you can feel the energy and the excitement.”

“We’re just getting started,” Brillhart said.

Distinguished women to be honored

At Wednesday’s Centennial Membership Tea, the club will honor several members who have belonged for 50-plus years, including Mary Wojno, Marilyn Bednar-Kasarda, Betty Huston, Betty Cole, Sue Gillman and Linda Sarger.

Also to be honored are living past presidents Patricia Brown, Carol Landis, Huston, Diane Vukovich, Moyra Culbertson, Madeline Milford and Betty Spencer.

“Every single woman provided her talents, her expertise,” Shriber said. “We wouldn’t be here today without them.”

For more information, call 330-762-6261, visit https://www.akronwomanscityclub.org/ or stop by the club at 732 W. Exchange St.

“We’re always taking members,” Shriber said.

As the club says: “Let our home be your home.”

Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Woman’s City Club reinvents itself as it celebrates centennial