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A not quite Valentine’s Day banquet in Victorian-era Montgomery

By Jade Heasley - | Feb 14, 2024

In the early days of Montgomery, a new social club was formed in 1894.

A Williamsport-based newspaper The Evening News reported in a Montgomery news section that, “The young people of this town realized the fact that some steps should be made towards improving the social and literary standing of the town and with that object in view about twenty-five very enthusiastic young ladies and gentleman met last evening and effected an organization to be known as the Montgomery Social and Literary Club.” The paper stated that officers had been elected, and that an “organist” was one of the official positions in the club. The piece concluded with, “The club is composed of young people who exhibit a lively interest in the welfare of our young and with this object in view we predict a good result from them” (December 18, 1894).

They had a meeting in the following month in Zeller’s parlor (The Evening News, January 18, 1895).

The early meetings revolved around the club members reading poetry and literary pieces, as well as vocal performances, and discussions about topics such as the question, “How can we procure genuine happiness?” (The Evening News, January 25, 1895).

The club wasn’t in existence for very long until their activities began to include events beyond their weekly meetings.

Less than two months after the Montgomery Social and Literary Club was founded, the members of the club went on a sleighride to Hughesville and enjoyed a turkey dinner at a restaurant there called the America house [sic]. The group of lively young people were chaperoned by Harriet Kinsey. The club had grown, and twenty-nine of the members attended. It was reported, “Oh, they had a jolly time, and if you are a member that stayed at home, you missed a treat” (The Evening News, February 5, 1895).

Later on in the month, the club held a very elaborate banquet in the middle of February. In an article called, “Banqueted in Royal Style”, it states that invitations were sent by the ladies of the club to the gentleman on February 13 for the banquet held on February 15 in the club rooms (the newspaper doesn’t report where the club rooms were), and it turned out to be “one of the most enjoyable occasions of their lives” (The Evening News, February 18, 1895).

In this article, the organization is referred to as the Montgomery Literary and Social Club, which is a slightly different name than was reported in the paper a few weeks before.

While the men weren’t quite sure what to expect, they dressed up “in semi-evening dress and wearing boutonnieres [sic] of carnations and smilax, proceeded in a body to the club rooms, where in turn, the ladies were taken by surprise.”

While the special occasion was held on Friday, February 15, the article never mentions that it was a Valentine’s Day celebration.

The men were astonished at how the ladies had decorated. ” . . . for the room, by the magic touch of the ladies, had been transformed into a retreat of comfort and elegance which only woman’s heart could dictate and hand could accomplish. The regulation club room had given way to an elegant apartment filled with easy chairs, rich rugs, fine draperies and festooning, with cosy nooks here and there, the effect of which completely bewildered our bachelor friends . . .”

The article further stated that the group enjoyed “animated and delightful conversation,” and then the ladies served the men a meal that was “rich and dainty.” Following the dinner, three of the officers of the club toasted the ladies for giving them a wonderful time. “After the refreshments had been well-attended to, the floor was cleared for the grand march which was indulged and enjoyed by everyone present until a sensible hour, when the members dispersed to their respective homes.”

Grand marches were popular dances at the time. They were traditionally the first dance to open a ball, and everyone in the room would participate.

The newspaper concluded the article by saying, “May the young ladies of M. L. and S. C. always remain young and beautiful in exerting influences such as they did on Friday evening.”