The History of the Brooksville Woman’s Club

Historic Brooksville Woman’s Club (HBWC) is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC). The Historic Brooksville Woman's Club was established in 1910 and is dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The Brooksville Woman’s Club began this mural project in 2017 with a grant from the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. Once they received permission to use the wall between the Woman’s Club and McGee & Mason, Professional Association, they approached Michael Nicholson, one of the art teachers at Hernando High School and asked him to supervise a group of his students in completing the project.

The mural depicts several themes relating to the Club’s history.

1.  The woman in a field growing sweet potatoes represents the way the group raised enough money to build the clubhouse.  They obtained land in the 1920s, and built the clubhouse in 1932.

2. The club’s signature event—The Historic Tea— is depicted by women in period dress.

3. Lena Culver Hawkins, clubhouse architect and first woman mayor, is seen directing the construction of the clubhouse.

4. Buildings in Brooksville, in perspective, symbolize the long history of community support by the HBWC through their early contributions of schoolbooks and to lending libraries.

5. Groups of women in different periods holding objects that represent GFWC projects and programs such as art, education, public issues, home life, and international outreach.

6. A wedding party on the steps of the courthouse, represents the clubhouse as a community center and venue for family events, as well as HBWC ‘s connection with civil affairs.