![The marker to be unveiled Tuesday states: "The first official meeting was held in early 1917. The club was federated in 1921 as the Woman's Home Club. The original log cabin was located on US Highway 90, moved to the current site in 1955, and is the GFWC Women's Club." [Special to the News Bulletin]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-55cf5c20-2224-0ec8-e053-0100007fc7fd-be3cc115.jpeg)
CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Historic Preservation Board will recognize the 100th anniversary of the Women's Club of Crestview with an Okaloosa historical marker.
The dedication ceremony is 11 a.m. Aug. 8 at the club house, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. A reception with refreshments follows.
Club member Linda Parker said the club's existence since 1916 is a landmark.
"The goals and missions may be different from its beginnings, but we're doing something right as a club if we're still able to provide those same services, with a few temporary interruptions," she said.
The group disbanded briefly in 1941 so the clubhouse could be used as extra classrooms. The building also served as a USO post during World War II, and as a community center at one point.
The marker to be unveiled Tuesday states: "The first official meeting was held in early 1917. The club was federated in 1921 as the Woman's Home Club. The original log cabin was located on US Highway 90, moved to the current site in 1955, and is the GFWC Women's Club."
The new marker is the fifth one the preservation board has placed.
"This one is coinciding with the Crestview women's club's centennial anniversary, so our board is honored to be able to place the marker particularly in conjunction with (it)," Ann Spann, CHPB member, said.
The other four markers were installed at the JRL Conyers Masonic Lodge 364, the Old Bethel Cemetery, the Concord Lodge 50, and the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
"We have had requests (for markers) as people have seen those. We have several other markers planned. We just have to spread them out according to time and funding," Spann said.
Club members work on civic projects that benefit the community and promote citizenship. They have Sunday dinner sales and other benefits to raise money for scholarship donations and other club programs.
The group's work has helped area residents in numerous ways, some of which are listed below. Members:
•Created the city's first mosquito management program in 1935, according to a previous News Bulletin article (http://bit.ly/1Tc7v4P).
•Sponsored the city’s first Memorial Day observances and sold poppies to benefit war widows and orphans
•Started a lending library in the 1940s that ultimately became the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library.
•Sourced a building to serve as the Crestview High School's lunch room, which is now the group's club house
•Helped plan, provide meals and services, and volunteered at events for the city's centennial celebration. Also made and decorated Main Street with banners and closed the city's millennial celebration at the end of 2000
The incorporated organization is part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Its members meet in the spring, fall and winter. Visit http://www.gfwccrestview.com for more information.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Preservation board recognizes woman's club history