February 2026 - History Corner

#197 in an ongoing series about the history of the Hillside Club

Once Upon a Hillside: 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 years ago

February 1901

“Aesthetic Tastes of Hillside Club to be Favored—School Board will concede to wishes of Scenic Tract residents”

Berkeley Daily Gazette, February 6

It is up to the ladies of the Hillside Club to make suggestions for the furnishing of the new primary school in the Scenic Tract, which bears the name of their organization. The club members won out in their fight for architecture in the little school house, which is in keeping with the aesthetic rules for the beautification of their section of the town, as laid down in their bylaws. At the meeting of the Board of School Directors last evening, it was announced that the ladies of the Hillside Club want chocolate-colored curtains instead of the conventional green window shades. This statement at first provoked a little laughter, but it was finally the consensus of opinion among the board members that the wish of the Hillsiders should be gratified as regards selection and color, providing that the cost is not excessive.

“Women in Charge”

Oakland Tribune, February 11

The members of the School Board have surrendered their right to furnish the new Scenic Park school building into the hands of the ladies of the Hillside Club. This organization is endeavoring to create a style of architecture in harmony with nature. It was at the earnest request of its members that the new school known as the Hillside School was built on a rustic plan. When it came to furnishing it, the School Directors suggested green window shades, pink plastered walls and bright and shining woodwork. This was too much for the ladies. They asked that the barbarous green shades be supplanted by chocolate-colored ones; that beams and rafters be left exposed and that the wood have a natural finish. The School Board has shifted the entire responsibility onto the hands of Director W. K. Weir, who represents Scenic Park. He is to consult the ladies and is given full power to purchase the required chocolate-colored shades.

The directors of the Hillside Club are Mrs. Margaret Robinson, chairman; Mrs. Frederick Searby, Mrs. John Finn, Miss Atterbury, Miss L. B. Bridgman, Miss Elsie Grinnell and Mrs. L. Bricker.

February 1926

Business Meeting, February 1

The remarkable increase in the members of Mexicans who are migrating into California will be presented by Prof. R. L. Adams. He will discuss the causes that have brought about this “invasion,” and some of the problems that are resulting from the movement of thousands of these people into our communities. [The Fireside Meeting’s focus on immigrants to California began with the October 1925 lecture and would continue through April 1926. The Northside area, where the Clubhouse was located and where most Club members lived, was one of several redlined neighborhoods in Berkeley which barred African-Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and other minorities. For much of its history, the Hillside Club was a very white and politically conservative organization.]

Social Evening, February 15

A Valentine party for the members and their guests, with special entertainment followed by dancing.

Hillside Assembly, February 20

The fourth of a series of five [ballroom] dances arranged by the Dancing Section.

Notes

The Community chest is being refilled this week. Do not fail to do your part in this most effective means of caring for Berkeley’s work of charity. We extend congratulations to the stage committee for the excellent effects their earnest work has made possible. Our social committees have given us new appreciations of the facilities at our command.

February 1951

Fireside Meeting, February 5

Alaska and the Yukon

Last summer, Dr. Philip Webster made a 19,000-mile, 10-week trip to this land of the midnight sun. He flew above the Arctic Circle, saw the coast of Siberia, panned gold, floated on an iceberg, flew over the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, visited primitive Eskimo villages, talked with Governor Gruening, travelled the entire length of the Al-Can Highway and had many other fascinating experiences. You will see a few of the 1,200 colored slides, carved ivory, artifacts and many other interesting treasures.

Civic Affairs Section, February 12

“Berkeley—Past, Present, and Future” will be the subject as Mayor Laurence L. Cross addresses the Club on Lincoln’s Birthday. “You will be more than ever proud of your home town after listening to this presentation by Berkeley’s popular and gifted mayor,” announces Denis L. Hennessey, chairman. [Laurence L. Cross (1892-1966) was a Presbyterian minister and leader of the Northbrae Community Church from 1924 until his death. He served as Berkeley mayor from 1947 until 1955, and narrowly lost the nomination as Democratic candidate for California Governor in 1954. He was noted for his solid support of civil rights: in 1952, he supported Paul Robeson’s right to appear on Bay Area stages, something opposed by San Francisco mayor Elmer Robinson.]

Evening of Music, February 19

Proving Hillside’s quintessence of musical talent, a male quintet will be included in the annual musical program. The presentation will include duo-piano numbers by Mrs. Helen Sizer and Mrs. Arthur Goard, and vocal solos by Mrs. Campbell Watson, accompanied by Mrs. Meredith Buckley.

Notes

New Club dinnerware has been ordered, the Board unanimously approving the selection made by Mrs. Graham Moody, house committee chairman.  

February 1976

Fireside Meeting, February 2

Edith Powell, author of the forthcoming volume, “San Francisco’s Heritage in Art Glass,” will feature this evening’s program, sponsored by our Literature Section. Edith will talk informally about her book, which deals in picture and prose with the art glass created by her family during the first twenty years of this century and used in architectural landmarks of San Francisco, and with nostalgic memories of those landmarks. [Edith Helen Hopps Powell (1908-2008) was born in San Francisco and raised in Berkeley. She attended Garfield Jr. High, Holy Names High School, and UC Berkeley, where she majored in Public Speaking. She married Robert C. Powell in 1929. Edith was the author of the 1976 book “San Francisco’s Heritage in Art Glass,” published by Superior. She was a Hillside Club member for 47 years, from 1956 until 1991. She died in 2008, four months shy of her 100^th birthday.]

International Relations Section, February 9

The Section is pleased to present Professor Carl G. Rosberg, who will discuss “Current Problems of Africa.” He is Chairman of the Political Science Department and Director of the Institute of International Studies at UC Berkeley. Dr. Rosberg, a recognized authority on Africa, will focus on the current crises in Angola. He will analyze the effect of the withdrawal of Portugal, the present confrontation of forces which are contending for power in the area, and the impact which this struggle has on Soviet Union-United States détente. [Carl G. Rosberg (1923-1996) was director of the Institute of International Studies, 1973-89, and chair of the Department of Political Science, 1969-74. Born in Oakland, Rosberg served in the US Army Air Force as a navigator during World War II. He was shot down over Romania in 1944 and was a prisoner of war until liberated by Russian troops in 1945. Rosberg went on to earn his doctorate at Oxford University in 1954. At UC Berkeley, Rosberg played a key role in organizing scholarly exchanges with the former USSR and China, then virtually closed to the world's academic community.

Robert Price, chair of the Department of Political Science, said that Rosberg “had a tremendous impact as a teacher and as a mentor of graduate students, not just American students, but foreign students, particularly African students. Many of those he taught assumed leadership roles in African studies at major universities around the world, and today many hold senior government positions. Rosberg himself held positions at three African universities over the course of his career.”

Potluck Supper, February 22

Celebrate George Washington’s Birthday at the Hillside Club with fellow members and also enjoy a potluck supper. After dinner, entertainment will be provided by Lois and Tommy Tomlinson, who will show slides of their most recent trip to Hawaii.

February 2001

The Club’s archive of printed monthly newsletters ended with the May 1994 issue. If you know of a source for any newsletters between 1994 and the Club’s renaissance in the early 2000s, your historian would love to hear about it!