Woman's Improvement Association

Some of the Las Cruces WIA members at the New Mexico Federation of Woman's Clubs convention, 1924

An active group of Las Cruces women joined together as the Woman's Improvement Association (W.I.A.) in 1894. As one of the oldest federated clubs in the southwest, the W.I.A. undertook many community projects, starting with the purchase of a hearse. They also bought a water sprinkling wagon to help keep the dusty, unpaved streets of Las Cruces under control. In 1911, the group joined the newly created New Mexico Federation of Woman's Clubs, founded by Las Cruces resident Laura Frenger.

In 1898, the W.I.A. opened Women's Improvement Park, which they had developed using funds from hearse rentals, street sprinkling services, and ice cream socials. The park's pavilion became a popular meeting place for parties, speakers, and band concerts. In 1924, the W.I.A. deeded the park to the city, which still maintains it today as Pioneer Woman's Park. The organization also built a clubhouse next to the park in the Alameda-Depot Historic District. This 1927 building became the club's home base and served as the first formal library in Las Cruces. Over the years, it has hosted activities such as citizenship classes, well-baby clinics, school dances, war relief efforts, weddings, square dances, and other community events.

Laura Frenger

W.I.A. building on calendar and membership roster

Information and documents from records of the W.I.A.

• Articles of Incorporation
• Minutes from the first W.I.A. meeting, 1894: (page 1) (page 2) (text)
• Excerpt from speech by M.S. McFie supporting the creation of a public park, 1896
• Letter from Mrs. George W. Frenger supporting the creation of a state federation, lists many of the concerns addressed by woman's clubs during this period, 1911

Source of photo and documents: Collection of the City of Las Cruces Museum System