Nearly one hundred years ago, before the elegant clubhouse stood at the entrance to Snell Isle, various women’s clubs of the city (15 in total) gathered wherever space could be found—hotel ballrooms, meeting halls, and borrowed rooms across the city. What they needed was a place of their own — a gathering space where women could organize, learn, and serve the community.

C. Perry Snell, an early St. Petersburg civic leader and developer of Snell Isle, advanced the vision by donating two parcels of land and securing support from five men's civic clubs to use the land as collateral for financing. A local philanthropist then pledged her estate to the institution. By 1929, the Woman’s Club finally had its clubhouse.

In a January 30, 1927, article in the Tampa Times, Snell believed the Woman’s Club deserved a permanent home where its leadership could flourish. Yet his vision extended beyond a building for a single organization. As he explained in the same article, “The clubhouse will not only serve the Woman’s Club, but by opening its doors to fellow associations it will become a center of community life.”

Today, the clubhouse stands not only as a beautiful historic building but also as a living testament to that original vision. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it continues to serve the community where St. Petersburg Woman’s Club members gather to socialize, lead charitable initiatives, learn from educational programs, and participate in community service efforts that benefit St. Petersburg.

In addition to SPWC member events, the venue has established itself as a respected location within the community for hosting weddings and various celebrations.  Non-profit events such as Snell Isle Property Owners Association,100 Women Who Care, St Petersburg Chapter (and more recently - 100 Teens Who Care), St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation - Annual Women in Philanthropy Luncheon, Hoxie Girl Scouts Annual Mother-Daughter Tea, Florida Orchestra Guild Tea – Fundraiser, Drug Free America Annual Celebrity Luncheon, and Orlando Health Foundation Luncheon are held.  While the Florida Holocaust Museum was undergoing renovations, the Club served as the venue for their Anne Frank Awards Ceremony.  Such events unite people amid historic tradition.

A man's belief in women's potential and community built a lasting legacy for St. Petersburg. Each gathering at the clubhouse still reflects the vision outlined in 1927.  

If you would like more information about the St. Petersburg Woman’s Club membership or venue rental, please visit our website: www.gfwc-spwc.org.