History

History of the building

       colored sketch The Boynton Woman’s Club building is located at 1010 South Federal Highway. It was designed by famed architect, Addison Mizner, and was built 1925-1926 for $50,000.
        The cornerstone was laid in 1932 and the building and property were dedicated to Major Nathan Smith Boynton, whose heirs contributed $35,000 toward this lasting memorial to him.
         Shortly after the building was completed area residents sought shelter from a hurricane within its walls. Many of the local community organizations and churches held their first meetings in this building.
         During World War II the Red Cross and the USO used the building as a center. It housed the community’s library until 1961, and continues to serve as a social and cultural center. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
         The Mizner Foundation was instrumental in repairing the building in time for the Diamond Jubilee in 1986. Members of the club and the community continue to focus on maintaining this historical and beautiful building 

Historical mural of Boynton Beach by Bernard P. Thomas

 A mural depicting the history of Boynton Beach, painted by noted muralist, Bernard P. Thomas (1918-1994), for the Boynton Woman’s Club is hung in the dining room. Mr. Thomas also conducted art classes at the clubhouse. 

Stage muralHis students painted the background scenery for the ballroom stage.  Mr. Thomas also conducted art classes at the clubhouse and his students painted the background scenery for the ballroom stage. Some of his other
work can be seen at the Dahl Art Center.  The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979 and was placed on the City of Boynton Beach Historic Places in 2014.

Boynton Woman’s Club (BWC) facts:
  • The members of BWC initiated the first public library for Boynton Beach at the club’s first building on Ocean Avenue.
  • The current building at 1010 S. Federal Highway is the first Boynton edifice appointed to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.
  • BWC  is the first Boynton edifice to be recognized by the Colonial Dames of America.
  • BWC is the first Boynton edifice to be recipient of “Famous Florida Artists” plaque by the Florida League of Cities.
  • BWC was added to Boynton Beach Historic Places in 2014.
  • The BWC building was acquired by the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency in 2017 and was renamed the Historic Woman’s Club Building of Boynton Beach. Ownership of the building was transferred to the City of Boynton Beach in March, 2021.
  • For information on renting the building, contact the Arts & Cultural Center at 561-742-6243.