The Smith College Club of Rochester (SCCR) was established in 1908. Its purpose then, as now, is to further the wellbeing of Smith College and operate exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. The club’s activities strive to foster a spirit of friendship and camaraderie among graduates and former students. It assists in the recruitment of qualified individuals in the area to apply to Smith and supports current students with events sponsored by SCCR.
For 60 years, SCCR organized a house tour every second Saturday in May. The proceeds of these tours were contributed to endowment funds established from our very first tour and from local alumnae. These funds have grown to over three million dollars and have enabled hundreds of area women to benefit in financial aid via SCCR.
The house tour was the major event for the club. Some years, as many as 100 members of the club participated in the running of the tour. House selection, advertising, publicity, brochure development, traffic, and house hostesses were among the ways the club members could participate. By the 60th year, it was a well-oiled machine but it was becoming harder to get participants to run it. It ended in 2009 yet the proceeds from those tours will go on for decades.
For more historical information about SCCR, one can access archives at Rush Rhees Library on the campus of The University of Rochester. Benjamin Rush Rhees, the third President of the University of Rochester was married to Harriet Seelye, the daughter of the first President of Smith College, which began a long association between the two institutions.
The SCCR’s main focus now is to support its current students and provide activities for the club membership. Our book club has been in existence for 25 years and continues as an exemplar. The Executive Structure of the club is regrouping and expects new leadership in June 2025 with plans to expand SCCR activities as guided by the membership.