The Torchbearers

"Blair's meticulous research has produced a complex work that is both encyclopedic and lively." -- The Journal of American History "With its valuable bibliography, this book should be an essential purchase for most libraries." -- Choice "With its detailed examination of both local and national organizations, this volume is a valuable addition both to the growing literature on women's associations and to the development of nonprofit enterprise in the arts." -- ARNOVA News "... Blair's insistence on the significance of her subject and her skillfully researched treatment of it is welcome and useful." -- American Historical Review "Readers interested in women's history, American cultural hsitory, and popular culture should all enjoy this book." -- Illinois Historical Journal "An indispensible overview of women's cultural activities in promoting and popularizing a wide variety of cultural enterprises, from music to artists' colonies." -- Kathleen D. McCarthy The women's arts clubs that flourished during the Progressive Era were more than havens for artistic dilettantes. As advocacy groups they effectively promoted universal access to the fine arts, leaving a vital legacy of cultural programs and institutions.