A primary focus of the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove is preserving and protecting its historic building constructed in 1921 by noted local architect Walter C. DeGarmo. DeGarmo designed this building to take full advantage of its site overlooking Biscayne Bay. A twelve-foot-wide porch with broad arched openings wraps around three sides of the building, which is constructed of native oolitic limestone. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The building still serves as the headquarters for one of South Florida’s oldest woman’s clubs, known today as the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove. The club’s ability to maintain the building and grounds depends upon rental income and fundraising efforts. These funds do not include any major capital improvements or renovations.
The McFarlane Society was established as an ongoing source of support for the clubhouse. The Society is named for Flora McFarlane, the first woman homesteader in Coconut Grove and the Founder and first President of the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove. The members of the Society are dedicated to preserving and maintaining the Woman’s Club headquarters located at 2985 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL as a historic landmark.
The McFarlane Society
Founded as the Housekeepers Club in 1891, the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove has served the community since its inception. Its clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few remaining examples of its type of architecture in the area. The Club is considered to be one of the most historically important organizations in the history of Coconut Grove.
The McFarlane Society is named for Flora McFarlane, the first woman homesteader in Coconut Grove and the Founder and first President of the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove. The members of the Society are dedicated to preserving and maintaining the Woman’s Club headquarters located at 2985 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL as a historic landmark. They understand the importance of historic preservation and take pride in supporting the Woman’s Club headquarters. All funds contributed to the McFarlane Society are utilized to support the capital and renovation needs of the Headquarters.
The clubhouse is a treasure in our community and a resource that can be enjoyed by all. The Club holds numerous social, musical and cultural events for the community each year and the clubhouse is available to nonprofit organizations as a community service. It is also a rental facility available for weddings, events and business meetings. Proceeds from rentals help support the annual maintenance costs.
As with many historic structures, time and weather continue to take its toll. Your support is needed to maintain the Clubhouse as a community centerpiece and preserve its heritage for future generations.
The Historic Preservation Committee is under the leadership of Anne MacDonald-Korth.
