"the publicity and promotion department of the Columbia Exposition at Chicago in 1893, was exceptionally well organized and its work executed with remarkable efficiency. In connection with it, each state has its world's fair committee, with branches in each county. Among the activities of the county committees was included the organization into clubs of those who expected to visit the exposition during its continuance, for the purpose of making such study of the history, geography and resources of the countries expecting to send exhibits as would render them intelligent and appreciative visitors when the exposition should finally open. The Genesee county committee consisted of three members, two of whom were Mrs. Flint P. Smith, and Mrs. Mary Rice Fairbank, of Flint. To these ladies was due the organization of the Columbian Club under the able leadership of Miss Helena V. Walker. The foregoing also suggests the reason for its name.

"The Columbian Club held its first meeting in the reading room of the armory of the Flint Union Blues, on the second floor of the present Armory building, and on a Tuesday, which is its present day of meeting. The first year's program consisted of topics connected with the discovery of America, which the exposition was designed to celebrate, and the parts taken by various nations in the exposition and colonization of the new land, together with the study of the progress of the preparations for the exposition itself, its location, its transportation facilities, its expected exhibits, etc., and the thousand and one useful details furnished by the "publicity department; of magazines and newspapers. This year's work was of immense value to the club members who visited the exposition in 1983 and of hardly less value to those who were denied the privilege of going. The water color painting, formerly in the Michgian building, and now in the public library, was purchased for one hundred dollars. The Columbian club, in its inception, was not designed as a permanent organization, but as its members have found their years of anticipatory study so beneficial, and as no one who had visited the exposition had seen the whole of the vast enterprise, the first anniversary of its organization found its members gathered to continue the study of the great fair--retrospectively. It was agreed among them that of all the exhibits inspected, the one least understood was that in the United States building, and that accordingly it behooved them as American citizens to make for several years a study of their own country. The club programs deal with the progress of the American nation.

"Following the program of United States history, a general survey of European history formed the ground work of a year's study, and later, different countries were studied in some detail, much attention being given to their progress in art, science and literature. In all these programs, current events and current literature have received attention, and discussion has followed all papers read. The Columbian Club was federated in 1896, soon after the Michigan State Federation was formed, and has continued its membership to the present time, deriving much benefit therefrom.

"From the foregoing it will appear that the aim of the Columbian Club in the beginning was a selfish one--that is, the personal benefit to be gained in preparing for a single event; later, a no less selfish one, the pleasure of association and satisfaction derived from the broadening of knowledge and gain in expression and intellectual culture. In this regard, the history of the Columbian Club is that of nearly all similar organizations, and, like those which have attained to its years of experience, it is extending its efforts and influence to the betterment of the community instead of individual member, as is evidenced by the attention given to civics and by its philanthropies during the past few years. Last spring it took the initiative of organizing a county federation of women's clubs, which promises much for the future.

"During its early history, the Columbian Club was purely a study club, but for some years past social features have been added. It has entertained clubs from other parts of the county and has been entertained by them. It was once hostess tot he State Federation of women's Clubs. Thanksgiving Day is regularly celebrated with a dinner, and an annual picnic is held in June. Its membership is unlimited. It welcomes all women who are interested in its work. Its doors are always open to visitors.

"In its twenty-four years of existence it has had but eight different presidents. The combined terms of three of them is fifteen years. At no time has its membership been larger than at present, except perhaps in its first year. The prospect at present is that the year of 1916-1917, which begins on the first Tuesday of October, will be its happiest and most prosperous one.

The officer for 1916 are: President, Mrs. C. A. Seeley; first vice-president, Mrs. James McFarlan; second vice-president, Mrs. Jonathan Edward; secretary, Mrs. Marvin J. Lamb; corresponding secretary, Miss Emily West; treasurer, Mrs. F. L. Tupper; auditor, Mrs. Charles B. Leland.