In 1898, the United States of America was preparing for its first encounter in international war. The preparations were busily being made for what was to become the Spanish-American War.

The town of Milton was a rural village of 5,000 men, women, and children. The primary economic activity was farming, with some men going into the city of Boston to engage in their investment activities.

Despite this rustic setting, a small group of women established the Milton Woman's Club under the indomitable leadership of Miss Mary P. Webster. This new club was a nonpartisan, nondenominational organization. The club's purpose was to provide service and work for town improvement, library growth, and all matters pertaining to the public schools. These were truly ambitious goals for such a small group in a rural setting. The annual dues were set at 25 cents. Virtually every activity pertaining to the well-being of humans in the town of Milton is an outgrowth of the Milton Woman's Club.

Within a year of our foundation, the branch of the club for volunteer aid was so active in the efforts to help the local soldiers that it led to the establishment of the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Concerned with the intellectual development of the children, the club was the first to arouse the citizens of Milton into founding a public library. A fund was also established for the development of a children's room at that planned library. In 1904, the library was realized.

By 1906, the club sent money and clothes to the people made homeless by the San Francisco earthquake. That same year, the Woman's Club established a program for maternity clothing, as well as help to the townspeople who could not afford to buy clothes for their children. This effort grew into the Social Service League, which in time, developed into the Visiting Nurses' Association.

The Milton Woman's Club was also concerned with local schools and the advancement of the children. Summer Vocational Schools taught manual training, and a printing press was given to the high school. That same year, the club initiated a hot lunch program by paying the money to establish it and providing the service of its members. Eventually, the town took over the project. Again, that year the Collicott School was given a Fresh Air Room.

In 1979, the Selectmen sought and received from the club a contribution to purchase a vehicle to be used for a new town program called "Shopping for the Elderly." Club members not only contributed financially, but also organized the pickup system and provided the drivers. This activity led to the founding of the Council on Aging.

This history of the Milton Woman's Club is a story of 100 years of service to the people of Milton. The club has contributed tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, provided seed money for program development, and supplied the willing labor to make possible the establishment of what we have in our town to serve the people.

The Milton Women's Club was organized in 1898, joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts in 1900, joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs International in 1908, and was incorporated in 1913.