Historic Property #6: 2940 Bedford Avenue; Placerville Shakespeare Club
Year Built: 1930
Architect: Coffman
Builder: Unknown
Architectural Style: Tudor Revival
The Shakespeare Club building, constructed in 1930, exemplifies Tudor Revival architecture. It features high, prominent gables and a composition shingle roof covering an open-beamed banquet hall with hardwood floors. The stucco exterior is accented with wood trim, horizontal siding, and varying gable heights. Unadorned steel sash windows and the integration of brick and stone walls, along with two graduated stone fireplaces on the lower level, contribute to the building's robust, Old World charm. Steeply pitched roofs and tall, narrow windows further define this distinctive style.
Shakespeare Club, Circa 1940
The Shakespeare Club's origins date back to May 2, 1897, when 20 women gathered at Mollie Schueler’s home in Placerville to form a women's organization. Choosing the name "Placerville Shakespeare Club" allowed them to pursue their intellectual interests without male opposition. Initially, the club focused on literary pursuits, with members reading and writing detailed reports on their chosen books.
In 1901, the club joined the California Federation of Women’s Clubs, shifting its focus towards community improvement. Members actively worked to enhance Placerville, placing garbage cans on street corners, advocating for the preservation of trees along the Lincoln Highway, and supporting legislation to protect the forest between Placerville and Tahoe. They also established a free kindergarten and promoted bonds for new school construction. The Placerville Arts Association originated as a section of the Shakespeare Club, further demonstrating their commitment to local culture.
For 15 years, the club met in the Superior Court at the Courthouse. In 1921, they purchased a home adjacent to the Courthouse. The 1929 bequest of $10,200 from member Mollie Wilcox Hurd enabled them to begin construction of a new clubhouse behind the Courthouse. A mortgage financed the remaining costs, which the women repaid by serving dinners and catering events.
Shortly after the mortgage was settled, plans for a new highway necessitated the clubhouse's relocation. The State of California covered the expenses of moving the building to its current site. This complex process involved cutting the clubhouse into three sections and moving them separately. One section's width required the relocation of a residence on Jackson Street, the demolition of a garage and walls, and the removal and replacement of a front porch from another house.
A new basement and foundation were constructed, and the three sections of the clubhouse were reassembled. The homes on Jackson Street were restored to their original positions.
By 1996, the aging clubhouse required significant restoration. The club members once again rallied, raising funds for necessary repairs, including kitchen appliance replacement, attic storage expansion, drapery replacement, new dishes, and improved walkways and landscaping. More recently, a new roof was installed, and a generous bequest from member Pat Relfe allowed for the installation of a modern HVAC system, a new storage shed, and other updates, ensuring the "Grand Old Lady" continues to flourish.
