First Literary Club of Tyler celebrates 140 years of learning and legacy

The club founded by Anna J. Hardwicke Pennybacker in 1886 continues to promote lifelong learning and community engagement in Tyler, Texas.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The First Literary Club of Tyler celebrated its 140th anniversary with a special meeting at the historic Patterson Home mansion. The club, founded in 1886 by educator and author Anna J. Hardwicke Pennybacker, has a long legacy of promoting lifelong learning, civic beautification, and advocating for free lending libraries in the Tyler community.

Why it matters

The First Literary Club of Tyler is one of the oldest continuously operating book clubs in the United States, having been affiliated with the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle since its founding. The club played a key role in sparking the women's club movement locally and nationally, and has remained an important intellectual and cultural institution in Tyler for over a century.

The details

During the anniversary meeting, members participated in a program where Betty Stokes portrayed founder Anna J. Hardwicke Pennybacker, answering questions about her life and the club's history. The club was originally affiliated with the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, but in 1897 changed its name and bylaws to allow more academic freedom. Over the years, the club has been influential in establishing the Carnegie Library, Tyler's first public library, and planting 35 crape myrtle trees around the courthouse.

  • The First Literary Club of Tyler was founded on February 23, 1886.
  • The club's 140th anniversary meeting was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Anna J. Hardwicke Pennybacker

The founder of the First Literary Club of Tyler in 1886. Pennybacker was an educator, author, suffragette, and advocate who went on to become a distinguished figure in the women's club movement, the suffrage movement, and national service efforts during World War I.

Eileen Kosnik

The current president of the First Literary Club of Tyler and a member since 2015.

Betty Stokes

A member of the First Literary Club of Tyler since 2008 who portrayed founder Anna J. Hardwicke Pennybacker during the anniversary meeting.

Joi Smith

A member of the First Literary Club of Tyler who participated in the question and answer session with Betty Stokes during the anniversary meeting.

Wanda Joyce

A member of the First Literary Club of Tyler since 2006 who enjoys the inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment of the club.

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What they’re saying

“If they could only know what it was going to be like and to think how we've managed to keep meeting and keep it going all these years.”

— Eileen Kosnik, President of the First Literary Club of Tyler (Tyler Morning Telegraph)

“The people who are part of this organization are just very unique. They have the same thirst for knowledge that I do.”

— Eileen Kosnik, President of the First Literary Club of Tyler (Tyler Morning Telegraph)

“When we were affiliated with the Chautauqua, the society itself had things that you had to do. They gave the topics and you had to follow their prescribed meetings. Topics were assigned to read for a meeting, and each woman took her turn and presented the paper and the hostess served as the critic with the purpose of the club being mutual improvement and cultivation of mental and social graces.”

— Betty Stokes, Member of the First Literary Club of Tyler (Tyler Morning Telegraph)

“Even though I may not be as educated as others, I have history. I've lived it.”

— Wanda Joyce, Member of the First Literary Club of Tyler (Tyler Morning Telegraph)

“You are never disappointed about what's presented because there's no rule. We've cooked President Lady Bird's recipes and learned what flowers she liked and you just never know what you are going to learn about.”

— Joi Smith, Member of the First Literary Club of Tyler (Tyler Morning Telegraph)

What’s next

The Smith County Commissioner's Court has proclaimed February 23 as 'The First Literary Club of Tyler Day' in the county to continue celebrating the club's 140-year educational legacy.

The takeaway

The First Literary Club of Tyler's 140-year history demonstrates the enduring power of community-driven, mission-focused organizations to promote lifelong learning, civic engagement, and cultural enrichment in a local setting. The club's inclusive, intellectually curious, and member-driven approach has allowed it to thrive for over a century, serving as a model for how grassroots groups can make a lasting impact.