We are excited to bring our heritage to you in our digital archive library, made possible through the generosity of 4Culture, Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture, and private donations. We will be adding artifacts as they are scanned, so check here and the LMC’s news section for updates.

The LMC is proud of our long and rich history over the club’s 130+ year lifetime. In addition to being a club of incredible musicians, we have also been a club of meticulous record-keepers. As a result, the LMC has over 40 boxes of historical artifacts in MOHAI’s Sophie Frye Bass library as well as our own internal archive collection.

Are you a researcher or someone who’s curious to see LMC’s history in documents? Email archives@lmcseattle.org to inquire about the collection or to make an appointment to see these incredible snapshots of our region’s history.

LMC Historical Photographs

Artist photographs were often given to LMC members by the performers or managers when they came to Seattle under the auspices of the LMC for its International Artist Concert Series. This digital collection was made possible by Collections Care grants from 4Culture.

 

Members’ Books

Members’ Books offer a snapshot of the LMC’s activities, musical programs, and members in a given season or seasons. Membership Books are listed in chronological order. Click on the image for access to the full members’ book.

 

Historical LMC Bylaws

Bylaws were printed in Members’ Books but also printed separately at times.

1923 LMC By-Laws

1935 LMC By-Laws

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Historical LMC Auxiliary Members’ Books

The LMC Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to “give young women music students an opportunity for greater self-expression in the Art and an opportunity for the realization of the joy of music as an activity in their lives through the aiding of one another in this accomplishment” (Constitution, Article II). Similar to the LMC Members’ Books, the Auxiliary Members’ Books capture the full activities of the Auxiliary, a list of members and officers, and musical programs. Earlier year books also provide a detailed history of the Ladies Musical Club Auxiliary.

1931-1932 LMC Auxiliary Members’ Book

1934-1935 LMC Auxiliary Members’ Book

1953-1954 LMC Auxiliary Members’ Book

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Historical LMC Programs

The LMC provided many musical concerts for the Seattle public, both performed by members as well as performances by world-famous artists for the LMC’s Artist Concert Series (1900-1995). The LMC has record of the programs in both the Members’ Books as well as individual programs that were provided at the event.

Historical LMC Secretary’s Books

Secretary’s books reveal the meticulous inner workings of the LMC and give insight into the LMC’s various programs. Books from 1951 to 1970 are currently available with more forthcoming.

Historical Sheet Music Collection

This collection (added 2025) consists of sheet music donated by LMC members. Many of these pieces were performed by LMC members and Artist Concert Series musicians at concerts in the early to mid 20th century. Annotations range from members names and performance notes to inscriptions and signatures by the composers. The Sheet Music Collection includes rare historical pieces of music by women composers (Dorothy Cadzow, Harriet Ware, Irene Rodgers, Amy Worth, Mary Turner Salter, Kate Gilmore Black, Molly Carew, Clara Edwards, Elinor Warren), Seattle-area composers (Cadzow, Rodgers, Worth, Carl Wood, Black), and other important American composers like John Alden Carpenter and Charles Wakefield Cadman. Some pieces were signed by the composers. These reflect the strong support the LMC gave to promoting local – especially women – composers. This digital collection was made possible by a Collections Care grant from 4Culture.

All sheet music provided here is for educational and research purposes only, to enrich the public’s knowledge of and appreciation for these historical works. Parts of the collection may be temporarily unavailable as we transition to our new digital archive.

Other LMC Collection Holdings

LMC’s history in documents is stored in several different Seattle-area institutions, including the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Seattle Public Library, and University of Washington.

MOHAI

Museum of History and Industry and Ladies Musical Club have a longstanding partnership. MOHAI stores over 40 boxes of LMC’s archival materials and has hosted LMC board meetings, concerts, and even the LMC’s 125th birthday celebration and concert.

SPL

Seattle Public Library has been hosting free LMC public concerts for over two decades. It also retains a collection of important LMC materials.

UW

University of Washington has had many ties to the LMC since LMC’s inception in 1891. Several interesting LMC materials are also housed in its collections, including original sheet music by LMC composer Amy Worth, a four-volume collection of works by LMC member Irene Rodgers, and various club documents.

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