Triangle Club of the University of Rhode Island (Mss. Gr. 131)

Historical note

The Triangle Club was founded in 1908 at the University of Rhode Island to provide for the promotion of social contacts and friendship among all women of the University Community. Its aims were threefold—sociability, service through scholarship, and study. It was established to be an organization of faculty wives, women faculty, and other women associated with the University. The members would usually meet about six times a year and, in addition, they would host formal teas, coffee parties, suppers, luncheons and dances.

The very first meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Howard Edwards, wife of the then-President of Rhode Island College, on November 6, 1908. Initially seventeen women met; there were no dues, although anyone missing a meeting was expected to pay a fine of five cents. Various talks, picnics, and other welcoming events were presented before the Club was more formally organized in 1909 with elected officers, dues, and programs.