GROVE CITY - In November 1904, a group of women decided to meet in each other's houses to discuss everything from famous authors to the history of money.

One hundred years and many scholarly papers later, the Women's Literary Club of Grove City is still going strong.

Anne Dayton, a former president and member since 1968, said the group's original purpose, to help each other improve in literature, art, science and other interests, rings true to this day.

"I know when I go to literary club that I'm going to learn something interesting that I'll probably otherwise never know," she said about her participation in the monthly meetings.

The anniversary was commemorated with an Oct. 30 conference at East Main Presbyterian Church, in which several community leaders lectured on topics relevant to Grove City. Club members presented several research papers, and Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-8th, also made a legislative update.

"We wanted to do this conference as an outreach to this community that has been wonderful to us," Dayton explained.

The literary club was launched in Grove City with 17 members who met every other week. Literary clubs were largely influenced by the late 1800s Chautauqua movement, which began as a series of Methodist summer schools and later promoted general adult education in art, literature, politics and science.

Membership is limited to 25 people to allow for enough seating in people's homes. When a member dies or leaves town, another member recommends someone new to join the club.

The group has officers who are largely nominal, just there to keep the club running smoothly.

Currently, Nellie Lewis is president, Jeanne Behranger is vice president, Sue Garton is secretary and Barbara Lyle is treasurer.

During each meeting, two members present a paper on a topic they have researched, which almost always invites discussion or questions from the group.

Through the decades, topics have included the history of embroidery, classical French art, Christmas in music, and the history of Mercer County.

Nancy Elliott, a relatively new member of the club (she joined about seven years ago), said one of her favorite research papers was on Agnes Trumbull, an author of Pennsylvania historical novels.

"As a (former) teacher, you're always accumulating information," Elliott said about why she joined the club. "It was just my desire to keep up with current events and literature."

Another group activity is Roll Call, in which four members each month provide quick responses to various questions, such as their favorite book, favorite quote or happiest sound.

In honor of the centennial, this year's Roll Call will be summaries of previous club papers.

The group also has a luncheon in the spring and a tea several times a year.

Dues, which were originally 50 cents a year, are now $5. The club, however, does not raise money. If members collect too much money, they give it to the library or literacy council. They also donate a memorial book to the library when a member dies.

Many members are second- or third-generation participants. Dayton's mother and grandmother were also in the club. This continuity, as well as a diversity of interests and ages (the average member is 50 years old), keeps the women connected outside the club as well.

"I got to know people that I'd never have gotten to know," Dayton said.

Elliott agreed.

"It's a wonderfully interesting group of people," she said.

Many members also belong to other organizations and see each other at scout troop meetings, church and other places.

And, of course, they hear and learn from each other every month.

"There's the formal training in the schools and there's the informal education that you give yourself, and that's what the literary club is all about," Dayton said.