About Us
This brief history of the Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia is only a summary of major events and developments in the evolution of the club from its founding to the present time.
As active and friendly as ever, it is now the largest Club in District 7610 of Rotary International. Presently membership stands at approximately 140 Members.
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How it All Began, "Way Back When!"
The official charter of the Rotary Club of Alexandria was awarded March 14, 1928, during the Rotary International presidency of Arthur H. Sapp of Huntington, Indiana, and under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Warrenton, VA., William H. Surber, Charlottesville, VA, was district governor.
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Charter members included:
C. S. Taylor Burke, President; S. Nelson Gray, Vice President,; Lawrence E. Roland, Secretary, W. Everett Swan , Treasurer; and members James M. Armstrong, Herbert E. Cross, Harry A. Wools.
Other early members were George F. Downham, Francis H. Fannon, C. Raymond Hellmuth, Blair McLeod, William S. Snow, Percy I. Vernon, and John T. Worthington.
The first official bulletin was named "The Forecaster," as it is today.
During the first year of the club's existence, the chief concerns were to increase membership and to study the objectives of Rotary.
Years of Growth; Years of Service to Children
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As they endured a historic crash of the economy and the onset of "the Great Depression" of the 1930's, members of the club realized there was a critical need in the community for day nursery services to ease the burden of working mothers. A house in the 300 block of Prince Street was rented, a matron was hired, and so the "Day Nursery" was born.
Within a year, the original quarters were outgrown, and the purchase of a larger house at 411 Prince Street was underwritten by several members. To raise funds for the eventual purchase of the building by the entire club, "The Alexandria Athletic Association" was incorporated and for about two years, leased and staged boxing bouts in the old bottling plant of the Portner Brewery. Enough money was raised not only to purchase the Prince Street building, but also for an endowment fund.
A corporation, whose members were the members of the Rotary Club of Alexandria, was formed to take title to the property. (The members of this Sec.501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, known as the "Alexandria Day Nursery and Children's Home," continue to be members in good standing of the club.)
Shortly thereafter the Courts of the city filled a pressing need to provide housing for its young wards when the "Day Nursery" agreed to do so at the Prince Street site. It was the final step in the development of what continues to be familiarly know as "Day Nursery” was born.
When the City's need ended in the mid-1940's, the building was maintained for a time and used as a Rotary Club office, also providing rent-free space to the Alexandria Visiting Nurses Association. Some years later, the "Day Nursery" found a purchaser for the building, using the proceeds plus accrued monies from several endowments to form the capital for the current "Day Nursery" fund.
Throughout its existence, the Rotary Club of Alexandria has focused its interest on the welfare of the children of Alexandria. This interest has been expressed tangibly in another project, the "Little League of Alexandria," which the club sponsored for several years. In addition, the club has participated in the usual fund drives and in conjunction with the Salvation Army, supplied Christmas baskets and hosted a Christmas party for underprivileged children.
The Alexandria Rotary (Club) Foundation
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In 1990 the members of the Rotary Club of Alexandria expanded the Club's charitable outreach with the establishment of another Sec.501(c)(3) tax-exempt subsidiary known as "The Alexandria Rotary Foundation. " In its first decade, this "Club Foundation" (not to be confused with the Rotary International Foundation) has realized substantial growth.
Now, the proceeds from major fund-raising events and projects of the Club are channeled through the Club Foundation, which then makes annual awards on behalf of the Club to worthwhile charitable groups and projects in the area. Here again, emphasis is usually given to projects which benefit the area's deserving youngsters.
A Potpourri of Alexandria Rotary Club Events and
Projects Through the Years
George Washington's Will - In 1948, the Rotary Club of Alexandria began a unique custom presenting a printed and bound copy of the Last Will and Testament of George Washington to the visiting Rotarian who traveled the farthest to "make up" his attendance at an Alexandria Rotary Club meeting. (On one occasion, "the Will" was presented to a visiting Rotarian while he was actually flying over Mt. Vernon, George Washington's beautiful and now famous home on the Potomac River just south of Alexandria.)
The "Rotary Rooters" of Alexandria - Alexandria Rotarians have their very own musical entertainment, furnished by the club's famous "Rotary Rooters." The "Rooters" are an orchestra of about a dozen volunteer Alexandria Rotary musicians. Now widely known throughout the District 7610 of Rotary International, the "Rooters" play before, and during the opening minutes of scheduled club luncheons meetings (usually once a month), as well as for special events of the Club and occasionally for worthy "outside" groups and events, including District Conferences.
A Notable Silver Anniversary Celebration - Alexandria Rotary's 25th anniversary was celebrated on a memorable occasion February 17th, 1953, when then U.S. Commissioner of Revenue T. Coleman Andrews of Richmond addressed members of the club and spouses (then known as "Rotary Anns," and later as "The Inter Wheel.") After the talk, the occasion was celebrated” in all gaiety, to the delight of everyone," according to the History of Rotary International District 760.
A Very Noble Diamond Anniversary Celebration -
Alexandria Rotary's 75th
Notable Alexandria Names and Faces, Through the Years Our Club has provided three District Governors: George N. Matthews, 1937- 38; Branch Spaulding, 1941- 42; and Ralph H. Bogle,Sr. 1947- 48.
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Because service as the Club Secretary is so demanding, Alexandria Rotarians hold special regard for their Club Secretaries through the years;
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Lawrence E. Roland, 1928-29; Dr. Herb Cross, 1929-35; Alfred Thompson, 1935-36; Stanley King, 1936-43; Josiah Everly, 1943-46; J. Paul Tribles, 1946-51; Joseph H. Saunders, 1951-52; Paul Hulfish, 1952-53; Josiah Everly, 1953-56; Bertram Deinelt, 1956-57; Donald F. Simpson, 1957-62; Harold H. Martin,1962-65; C. B. Harris, Jr.,1965-68; Harold H. Martin, 1968-72; William C. Robinson, 1972-75; Harlan B. Forbes III, 1975-81; Leon A. Duncan, 1981-2002; Jack Gray 2002- 2005; Joan Renner 2005-2006; Drew Carroll 2006 -2007 and Peter Knetemenn 2007 to present.
Past and Present Treasuers are also noted:
John McCune, Bill Jarrett, John Renner, Dick Laquement, Jeff Kohne, and Lee Duncan.
Gayle Spurr
