By Valerie Macon
On North Ennis Street in Fuquay-Varina, a modest bungalow/American Craftsman-style building has anchored nearly nine decades of civic engagement. Built in 1936 for the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club, the clubhouse has served as a hub for community service and fellowship. Now, as the building approaches its 90th anniversary, it is due for some renovations.
To learn more about its legacy and plans to preserve the building for future generations, I spoke with Ruth Olive, president of FVWC; Fran Carroll and Patty Byrne, co-chairs of the fundraising committee; and Debbie Semple and Jeanette Moore-Burlock, co-chairs of the house and grounds committee, which oversees the maintenance of the FVWC clubhouse.
History
Formed in 1920, The Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club joined the Federation of Woman’s Clubs in 1926. Land for their clubhouse was donated by the Judd family. Debbie Semple recalls, “It took 10 years of oyster stew and chicken and dumpling suppers (and other fundraising efforts) to collect enough money to build the clubhouse.” These grassroot efforts laid the foundation for a space that would serve generations. Dr. Judd, himself, supervised the building of the clubhouse, which was completed in 1936.
In 2007, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a recognition of both its age and its role in community life. During its remarkable ninety-year history, the clubhouse has served almost like a community center that the people of the town could use. Over the decades, the clubhouse has hosted more than Women’s Club meetings — it has been a place of gathering for weddings, family reunions, birthday celebrations, and even funeral services.
Preservation
Because the clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, any planned work on the building must first be reviewed and approved by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. The office provides guidance to ensure that renovations comply with preservation standards and maintain the building’s historical integrity. Even seemingly simple updates — like adding much-needed gutters — require professional contractors and formal review. It’s a process that takes time.
Just this year, the building has undergone its first deep cleaning since 2005, with every surface scrubbed from floor to ceiling. The oriental rugs have been professionally cleaned, and the red brick wall behind the fireplace — added in the 1950s — received a fresh coat of paint to brighten the room. A new mantle was installed, and the cornices were updated with lighter fabric to contrast with the dark paneling. Some of these interior decorative updates were last made over 35 years ago. But there are still things that need to be done to keep the building safe and attractive for renters. As Debbie Semple, who just turned 74, remembers: “I had my 14th birthday party in this clubhouse, and I’ve got the pictures to prove it . . .with a building this age, there’s always going to be something that needs to be done.”
The Club has long raised funds to support community initiatives and continues to do so. But it is now also turning some of its attention to fundraising for the essential upkeep and preservation of the historic clubhouse, ensuring it remains available for both Club and community use. That maintenance, however, draws from a budget separate from the community projects budget — a maintenance budget that has been stretched thin in recent years due to major infrastructure updates, including a new HVAC system, roof replacement, plumbing and electrical repairs, as well as necessities like utilities and insurance expenses. Funds are now needed for capital improvements such as exterior painting, gutter installation, landscaping, and ADA ramp renovation that adhere to historical guidelines.
Fundraising
To help rebuild the Club’s funds, members are bringing back a beloved tradition — the Christmas Tour of Homes. Though not usually held annually, this festive event will return on Saturday, December 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Fundraising Chairs Patty Byrne and Fran Carol, who have planned and organized the self-guided tour, shared some details. The tour will feature nine beautifully-decorated homes in the Fuquay-Varina Historic District, along with the Teacherage — a historic boarding house once home to local teachers. Docents will be stationed at each site to share stories and historical insights. Along the route, guests can enjoy holiday carolers, baby goats, visits with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies. Nationally acclaimed artist Maureen Scullin will be painting an original holiday portrait on-site at Falcon Park Hut. Raffle tickets for the portrait will be sold for $5/ticket, 5 tickets for $20.
Tickets and maps for the Christmas Tour of Homes will be available starting in October for $20 (children under 10 free). Tickets can be purchased:
Online via Eventbrite
At Logan’s Garden Hut (1004 Old Honeycutt Road)
At KnB’s Marketplace (120 Raleigh Street) until 4 p.m. on December 12, 2025
At the Falcon Park Hut (105 Falcon Drive) on December 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where Santa will be greeting guests. Parking will be available at Falcon Park where five of the tour homes off Academy Street are just a short walk away.
Celebration
Looking ahead, the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club is preparing to celebrate a historic milestone: its 100-year birthday celebration. The Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club Centennial Gala, scheduled for April 16, 2026, at Bentwinds Country Club, will be a tribute to the legacy of a club that has served the community for generations. Members of the FVWC and FV Junior Woman’s Club, town and government dignitaries, distinguished leaders from other women’s clubs, and representatives from local organizations who have been partners in charitable work throughout the year will be attending. The celebration will feature guest speakers who share memories of the clubhouse and its many roles over the decades. A highlight will be the unveiling of a centennial quilt, a tapestry that captures the service of the Club over the past 100 years. To mark the occasion, FVWC centennial items will be available for purchase. While the Centennial Gala is not intended to be a fundraising event, those who wish to support ongoing restoration and repair efforts will have the opportunity to contribute.
As the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club approaches its centennial, the clubhouse on North Ennis Street stands not only as a physical landmark, but as a testament to the spirit of community service. From oyster stew fundraisers to centennial quilts, its history reflects the dedication of women who value civic engagement. With restoration efforts underway, the clubhouse continues to inspire the kind of care that built it in the first place. Ninety years in, it’s still doing what it was always meant to do — bringing people together.
