Clubs Civic & social Activities
Odd fellows 1894 Located corner of West Main St. & Oak Sts. Raised in l928 to make room for the Penns Grove National Bank
Moose l915 Located West Main & Naylor Ave Penns Grove Lodge, No. 820 Loyal Order of Moose Supported Moose Heart for Children and Adults charitable work in the community
Penns Grove Lodge, No.1358 B.P.O. Elks Chartered 1918 Located West Main St. Supported Charitable work and crippled children
Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America
Lions Club
Rotary Club
Penns Grove Woman's Club Established l917 In l977 The Penns Grove Celebrated its 60 the birthday, to celebrate the only living charter member was honored Mrs. Ralph Willis as a tribute to her and the club, Mrs. F. Marion (Mary) Willis wrote a history of the clubs beginning and their endeavors for the 60 years leading up to 60 years. These are a few excerpts form her history I have the original in full and the P.G. library also has a copy. Twenty women met at the home of Miss Rena Leap who was interested in the progress of this area. The welfare of others and personal enrichment was foremost. Mrs. Lou D.T. Miller was chosen and later elected chairman. Later 11 more women joined so the charter membership was 31 when they became members of the NJ State Federation in l917. The only living charter member in l977 is Mrs. Ralph P. Willis (Florence). The US entered in to World 1 just 2 months & 26 days after the first mtg. at Rena Leap’s though young and inexperienced the members took the lead in this community. They participated in Liberty Loan Drives, Food Conservation, the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defense and special interest in Red Cross Work which led to the PG -C.P. branch of the American Red Cross being organized The WC member were instrumental in procuring the first public nurse and the establishing of the library in l9l9. They met in the old Dupont Club until 1936 when it burnt down then in the Borough Council Chamber until the YMCA was built. In 1935 Mrs. Preston Trice reported 52 shade trees was bought by he club along with 21 evergreen and 16 flowering shrubs and all planted under the direction of Mrs. Fred Coney for the community. The club also bought the concert grand piano and presented in 1936 to the PGHS. It was paid for in 17 months by pledges, silver teas, food sales and donations. The scholarship fund started inn 1938.When the Salem Hospital moved from Salem to its present location the club donated $1500 dollars to furnish a room and at a later date $500 for a gas machine During World War 11 meetings were open to the officer's wives from P.A.D.S. (Philadelphia Air Defense Site). Known to many as the D.O.D. (Delaware Ordinance Depot). In 1964 Garden Mart became a reality to raise money for special projects under the leadership of Mrs. Wilma Clun. All monies realized were divided between the YMCA, the Library and the Clubs charities. Today the club has merged its Garden Mart with the Derby Day celebration and the Penns Grove continues with its projects started by its pioneers of so many years ago, 86 to date.
Masonic Lodge 1889. Eastern Star, Rainbow for Girls & DeMolay For Boys
Dupont Country Club Complete & up to date boasts bowling alley, golf course, with the manager living on the premises. Many social activities sponsored including meeting and dances like the American Chemical Society’s Annual Dance (Cabaret Style) in Feb 9:30 to 1 music provided by Ken Janney & his orchestra Dress optional Admission $1.04 tax .21 Total $1.25 In the 1950's the junior senior after glow for the Penns Grove Prom was held there Much later it became the Salem Community College and building were added to include the campus
Y.M.C.A. Built by Dupont Co. 1939 was one of the most modern in the country Many civic & social events held there through the 1940' & l950's even to the present day the "Y" is still being used. In the early years when built it had meeting rooms, a gym, bowling alley, snack bar & and an auditorium with connecting kitchen.
Knights of Columbus
Rotary Club
Lions Club
Chamber of Commerce of the Borough had a slogan that summed up P.G. position in the life of the State with its few well-chosen and highly descriptive words “South Jersey's Industrial Center”
Washington Club
According to my recollections and others along with various accounts of documents available we pay homage to those immigrants who made their way to the Penns Grove area through the ports of Baltimore, Wilmington and New York . They were attracted by the suburban atmosphere and the Dupont Company powder plant. Among those earlier arrivals were the Italians in the 1920’s. One of the first families was Pierto Montagnoli from Valle San Giovaanni, Teramo, Italy. He lived on Church St near the river and opened a grocery & bakery on Mill St. One of his 10 children, Minnie married John Quatrini and operated a grocery. Also, Another family from the same village was Prospero Clemente. His sons Tony, Phil, Pete, James, John and Joe worked for him in his construction business. His two daughters were Angela and Catherine. The later married John Zappala M.D. Many others soon followed .With large numbers of Italians settling in the Penns grove area they found a desire to establish several Italian-American organizations as to establish their social, civic, religious and political needs. There were four organizations established ,The Mother of Grace Society,(1925), Lodge Italian Sons of America Lodge, Mother of Sorrow Sodality (1939) and the St. Gabriel Society. The four eventually merged and became known as the Washington Club.(1952)
The Citizens League at 50 West Pitman Street was built in 1936 and enlarged in 1940 with the it’s first President Alfred Clemente. It’s main activities included meetings, picnics, dances and parades.
The Mother of Grace Society’s first celebration was held on July 2, 1925 with a religious procession presenting the Mother of Grace Statue. (replica of the original in Teramo Italy) Traditionally the Statue (Madonna and Child) was paraded through the streets of Penns Grove, adorned with gold chains, pendants and a considerable amount of money being pinned to the silken robes for benevolent purposes.
With the merger being completed, the construction of the Washington Club began in 1951 and the Trustees met for the first time in their new home in February 1952.
With the desire to apply Americanization to the Italian-American organizations, the name “Washington Club” (George Washington) was suggested and unanimously approved.. |
