Dublin Core
Title
Centennial Monograph: D. Y. W. Y. K. Club
Description
The "Don't You Wish You Knew?" club was a social group started in 1899 by local businessmen with membership limited to 20 with the apparent goal of sponsoring elaborate masquerade balls.
Creator
Ralph Sheridan
Date
1965-04
Identifier
2019.273
Document Item Type Metadata
Text
In 1899 a group of local business men organized a social club to be known as the D.Y.W.Y.K. club ("Don't You Wish You Knew?). Membership in the club was limited to twenty.
A masquerade ball was held annually at Music Hall, with the exception of two years when they were abandoned due to dullness of trade.
Two prizes of $5 in gold were offered annually: one for the handsomest lady and the other for the most comical costumed gentleman. A grand march and drill executed by the members in fancy costume under the direction of a competent instructor was always the feature of the occasion. The hall was always decorated by a Boston Decorating Company and the best orchestra available played. A catered supper would be served and dancing enjoyed until 3 a.m.
In 1900, with the largest attendance in the history of the club, the concert was delayed owing to late arrival of violinist McEnnelly of Marlboro who had all of the music in his possession.
Members of the club in 1900 were Joshua Edwards, John Lawton, Dell Martin, William Casey, George Whitney, William Irwin, Thomas Smith, Peter Kivlehan, Frank McCarron, William Punch, Lee Donahue, Edward Doherty, James Cleary, William V, Cameron, James Coughlan, Michael E. Sheehan, Bartholomew Coughlin, William Mahoney, William Lawler and Arthur J. Coughlan.
It is interesting to note that a Miss Harris of Acton won the Handsomest lady prize for several years.
Also, at the 26th anniversary ball in 1912, before a packed house, Frank C, Sheridan, won the prize as the most comical costumed gentleman.
At the 21st annual ball, February 1907, a concert by the Bingville Band, under the direction of Charles Smith, was a feature of the evening. Music was so intoxicating that officer Connors was on the verge of making several arrests. The artists of the band were: Matt Campbell, Jack Kelley, Mell Butler, Bill Cleary, Jimmie Farrell and Marcus Kelley.
Prepared by Ralph L. Sheridan
Credit to the Maynard News
---------
For further research: The dates suggest that the club was organized in 1886, not 1889 (typo?)
A masquerade ball was held annually at Music Hall, with the exception of two years when they were abandoned due to dullness of trade.
Two prizes of $5 in gold were offered annually: one for the handsomest lady and the other for the most comical costumed gentleman. A grand march and drill executed by the members in fancy costume under the direction of a competent instructor was always the feature of the occasion. The hall was always decorated by a Boston Decorating Company and the best orchestra available played. A catered supper would be served and dancing enjoyed until 3 a.m.
In 1900, with the largest attendance in the history of the club, the concert was delayed owing to late arrival of violinist McEnnelly of Marlboro who had all of the music in his possession.
Members of the club in 1900 were Joshua Edwards, John Lawton, Dell Martin, William Casey, George Whitney, William Irwin, Thomas Smith, Peter Kivlehan, Frank McCarron, William Punch, Lee Donahue, Edward Doherty, James Cleary, William V, Cameron, James Coughlan, Michael E. Sheehan, Bartholomew Coughlin, William Mahoney, William Lawler and Arthur J. Coughlan.
It is interesting to note that a Miss Harris of Acton won the Handsomest lady prize for several years.
Also, at the 26th anniversary ball in 1912, before a packed house, Frank C, Sheridan, won the prize as the most comical costumed gentleman.
At the 21st annual ball, February 1907, a concert by the Bingville Band, under the direction of Charles Smith, was a feature of the evening. Music was so intoxicating that officer Connors was on the verge of making several arrests. The artists of the band were: Matt Campbell, Jack Kelley, Mell Butler, Bill Cleary, Jimmie Farrell and Marcus Kelley.
Prepared by Ralph L. Sheridan
Credit to the Maynard News
---------
For further research: The dates suggest that the club was organized in 1886, not 1889 (typo?)
Storage
SU9-4