The Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh to celebrate 125 years…but needs your help

by Courier Newsroom

Safe to say, there’s a ton—125 years, to be exact—of history associated with The Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh. Founded by six women in the Hill District in 1894, those women were determined that the organization pursue “a systematic course of study in a manner to be decided by a majority of the membership and shall be for the mutual improvement of the membership in literature, art, science and matters relating to the vital interests of the day.”

In preparation for the 125th anniversary celebration, club members are updating their archives, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned. Aurora Curator Pamela Golden tells the Courier: “With the help of many people researching records, we’ve made great strides in generating a comprehensive list, however, we are missing some details for some ladies. We are hoping that Courier readers will recognize the names of relatives and help us fill in the details.”

AURORA READING CLUB MEMBERS—Donna Alexander, Bess Herndon, Margaret Burley and Indea Herndon, in this 2018 photo. (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

Information that will complete the Aurora records includes: the first names of both the member and the spouse, if applicable, and years in which they were born and died.

Do you have information on the following members…?

•Mrs. Alice (Carl) Brady, who joined Aurora in 1938

•Mrs. George Cain

•Mrs. Rebecca Davis, who joined Aurora in 1912

•Mrs. Louis Hollis, who joined Aurora in 1901

•Mrs. Edward West Johnson, who joined Aurora in 1902

•Miss Ida Mary Lewis, who joined Aurora in 1901

•Virginia Markham

•Mrs. Charles O’Donnell, who joined Aurora in 1895

•Mrs. Marie (George A.) Palmer, who joined Aurora in 1967

•Mrs. Caroline “Callie” (Frank A.) McGuire Wiley, who joined Aurora in 1987

If you do, E-mail: aurorapittsburgh@gmail.com