The Historical Book Club was organized in October 1947. The original purpose envisioned a small group of women interested in things historical who would meet three times a year to keep abreast of the significant new books of general history, both past and current. But when it became known that such a group was being contemplated, applications for membership were so numerous it became necessary to limit membership and put it on an invitational basis. A hitherto unrecognized interest had been suddenly uncovered. When the Club year was over, a new organization had been born with Miss Clara Booth Byrd as its president, a post she retained for eighteen years. Under Miss Byrd’s energetic leadership, the Club’s activities took a more definite shape, one destined to enhance the literary culture of North Carolina.

Early on it was realized that programs could not be restricted to historical works, as the whole field of new books in all classifications – fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction – offered a prospect too inviting to be denied. Interest in the best of the new books became a more or less unwritten guide to activities.

In October 1948, with the cooperation of Greensboro College, the Club presented a TOWN MEETING ON BOOKS, the first of its kind, so far as research has disclosed. No charge was made for admission, but tickets were issued to members and their guests. A capacity assemblage of men and women heard four outstanding writers, including a moderator, briefly review sixteen new books. A spirited round-table discussion ensued, followed by audience participation, in the highest tradition of town meeting. It was an experiment, but one so successful that the TOWN MEETING ON BOOKS became a permanent part of the Historical Book Club’s program.

During the second year, Miss Byrd suggested the idea of bringing to North Carolina an event patterned after the famous Book and Author Luncheons which were given in New York City by the New York Herald Tribune. As a result, in the spring of 1950 the first BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON was held in the completely filled ballroom of the O. Henry Hotel in downtown Greensboro. It was another experiment, and again, one so successful that each spring BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON became an exciting literary event for members and their guests.

In 1952 the Historical Book Club established the SIR WALTER RALEIGH AWARD for fiction, to be given each year to the North Carolina writer who published the work of fiction adjudged the best during that year. It is a companion piece to the Mayflower Cup, given annually for non-fiction by the Mayflower Society of North Carolina. Both awards are presented during the annual meeting of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association.

The Club’s work had grown statewide in scope and importance, and its structure had been changed into a corporation because of the endowment fund. To reflect both of these conditions, the name was changed to THE HISTORICAL BOOK CLUB OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

The Club year closes with the Members’ Meeting in late spring, where business transactions are followed by a program of special interest to members. At the meeting in 1965, Miss Byrd turned the presidential gavel over to Mrs. John Harden. To honor Miss Byrd for her eighteen years of dedicated service, the Club elected her Honorary Life President. The Board of Directors established the Clara Booth Byrd Lecture Endowment, designed to underwrite the appearances of important speakers for the public programs of the organization. Initially the endowment was the personal gift of the thirteen directors. However, Mrs. Harden instigated a campaign to raise $50,000 for the Fund and named Frank Borden Hanes of Winston-Salem Honorary Chairman. By the end of the 1966 Club year, substantial grants from foundations, as well as generous contributions from Club members, made the goal a reality.

As outlined, the Club presents the Town Meeting on Books, the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction, the Book and Author Luncheon and the Memers’ Meeting.

“In addition to the stimulation and enjoyment the members derive personally from the work of the Club, it is their hope to encourage the production of better literature and a greater interest in reading – things basic in a democracy, and in so doing make a contribution to the cultural life of the state and nation. It is also the purpose of the organization to honor established North Carolina authors as well as to recognize and honor new and promising writers. If these objectives are being accomplished to some degree, the organization can feel that its work is amply rewarded.” This quotation from the 1957 Yearbook continues to crystallize the Club’s endeavors.

Miss Clara Booth Byrd 1947-1965
Mrs. John Harden 1965-1969
Mrs. John K. Brewer 1969-1973
Miss Olivia B. Burwell 1973-1975
Mrs. McKibben Lane, Jr. 1975-1977
Mrs. Robert W. Hites 1977-1981
Mrs. Robert T. Amos, Jr. 1981-1983
Mrs. William R. Rogers 1983-1985
Mrs. John R. Sherrill, Jr. 1985-1987
Mrs. Terry L. Fripp 1987-1989
Mrs. James S. Schenck III 1989-1993
Mrs. C. Mitchell Oakley, Jr. 1993-l995
Mrs. Fred F. Stafford 1995-l997
Mrs. William Snyder 1997-2001
Mrs. T. G. Daniel 2001-2003
Mrs. Martin A. Hatcher 2003-2005
Mrs. Robert Sevier 2005-2007
Mrs. David Rule 2007-2009
Mrs. Keith Sessoms 2009-2011
Mrs. Robert L. Kester 2011-2013
Mrs. Craven Williams 2013-2015
Mrs. William N. Bullock 2015-2017
Mrs. Peter Young 2017-2019
Ms. Gay Bowman 2019-2021
Dr. Leigh H. Jones 2021-2023
Mrs. Pat Vreeland 2023-2025
Mrs. Louise Courts 2025-2027