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The OSU Folk Club was organized on October 29, 1908, by twenty women under the leadership of Leonora Kerr, wife of President William Jasper Kerr, to promote friendship among women connected with the Oregon Agricultural College (OAC). Very early, the members became involved in service, donating items to the college. Their first scholarship for $50 was given in 1930. In 2012, 23 scholarship recipients received $55,200 toward tuition at OSU for the 2012-2013 year. In addition to this, grants totaling about $40,000 were given to 43non-profit organizations serving Benton County. This money comes from the OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop and is managed through the OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop Foundation. Now in its 104th year, our purpose continues to be friendship among faculty women and wives/partners of faculty, as well as service to OSU and the community.
The OSU Folk Club owns and operates the OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop at 144 NW 2nd Street in downtown Corvallis. The shop was started in 1949 by Betty Slegel in the basements of Dot Butts MacGregor and Martha Mumford. Today, OSU and the community continue to benefit from the throusands of volunteer hours put in at the Thrift Shop by Folk Club members. We consign and sell a great variety of second hand items such as clothing, toys, housewares, hardware, bikes and small furniture. Please come visit our shop! We can help you furnish your apartment or house or dress your family at a very reasonable cost. Our merchandise comes from consignments and donations.
We are not always working at the Thrift Shop! The Folk Club usually offers various programs during the year and informative seminars that are open to guests. There are also interest groups - Antiques, Adventures in Dining, Menuettes and several Book Clubs. Our periodic newsletter, called the Fanfare, keeps our members informed of these activities.
Eligibility for Membership
Membership in OSU Folk Club is open to all women personnel and wives/partners of OSU personnel who hold Faculty rank or the equivalent (including those on courtesy appointments) as recognized by the Oregon State University. All women not included in the above list who have been members in previous years are eligible for continued or renewed membership.
Our annual dues are $20 and payable to our treasurer: Mary Burke, 3510 NW Dimple Hill Rd., Corvallis, OR 97330