Welcome to
The Wednesday Club
The purpose of The Wednesday Club shall be to enrich the lives of the members and to raise the standards of culture and community service in the area.
Programs
Our programs are held on Wednesday afternoons from October to March at 3:45 PM. Coffee is served at 3:15 PM. Programs are free and everyone in the community is invited to attend.
We are located at 1002 Main Street, Danville, VA
21
October
2026
One District, Many Neighborhoods: Charting the Future of Downtown Danville
presented by Staff of the River District Association
Hear from River District Association staff about the programs and events that attract and retain businesses in the River District, making it an important and pleasant place to work, shop, and have fun.
28
October
2026
Music from the Swing Era
Presented by River City Swing Band
led by John Wilt
Take a step back in time as we revisit classics from the Swing Era with such musical favorites as Come Fly with Me, New York, New York, Witchcraft, My Funny Valentine, and many more!
4
November
2026
From Combat to Community: Transforming the Lives of Those Who Served
Presented by Major General Bob Dees (Retired)
Major General Bob Dees is an experienced strategic planner with a distinguished 31-year career in the U.S. Army. He continues his lifelong service to America’s patriots as the President and CEO of the National Center for Healthy Veterans, located at Valor Farm in Altavista, Virginia. Major General Dees’ presentation will focus on Valor Farm and its residents, and on ways The Wednesday Club can participate in this healing and worthy endeavor.
6-7
November
2026
"Over the River and Through the Woods"
A Program Fundraising Event
Pull up a chair for Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DiPietro, a heartwarming comedy about family, food and finding your own way. When Nick announces a dream job that will take him across the country, his four loving Italian-American grandparents cook up a plan to keep him close. Expect laughter, a little matchmaking and plenty of heart!
Gala Opening Night — Friday, November 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. | Tickets $45
Begin the evening with wine, delicious hors d’oeuvres while bidding on silent auction items featuring original artwork, weekend getaways and more. Curtain approximately 7:15 PM.
Matinee — Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. | Tickets $35
Enjoy delightful refreshments at intermission.
Gather your friends and family for a deliciously funny trip Over the River and Through the Woods!
Scholarship Fund
For decades The Wednesday Club has supported educational projects and provided academic scholarships to Danville and Pittsylvania County high school seniors. In these increasingly difficult times, it is more important than ever to help students defray some of the rising costs of college tuition. Please consider making a donation to the Scholarship Fund so that The Wednesday Club can continue to offer this important benefit to our community.
Make checks payable to The Wednesday Club and designate "The Wednesday Club Scholarship Fund" on the memo line. Mail to:
The Wednesday Club
1002 Main Street
Danville, VA 2451
The Wednesday Club is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations to the Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.
Miss Augusta Yates, Founder
History of The Wednesday Club
The Wednesday Club of Danville, Virginia, was established in 1893 by Miss Augusta Yates. Initially, the 12 charter members wrote, researched, and presented programs on a wide variety of subjects.
As the character of the club gradually changed, its horizons broadened and its emphasis became civic endeavors. As early as 1902-03, civic consciousness was awakened in the club as the members visited the public schools to investigate sanitary conditions. This activity was the beginning of many improvements The Wednesday Club has brought to the area.
During both World War I and World War II, the members supported the war effort by giving hundreds of volunteer hours on the home front. In 1927, the Club established one of its most outstanding contributions to the community, the Crippled Children’s Clinic. Over the years thousands of patients visited the clinic and received free medical assistance. Members were also instrumental in the establishment of the public library.
As the Club’s membership increased, a larger space for meetings became necessary. In 1922 a permanent home at 1002 Main Street was purchased and replaced at the same location with a new building in 1970. Presently the membership is approximately 250.
In August 2002, the Club established The Wednesday Club Endowment. The purpose of the Endowment is exclusively for charitable and educational projects within the community served by the Club. The Club makes financial donations to various organizations and awards scholarships annually to deserving high school students. For over 100 years, The Wednesday Club’s purpose has been to enrich the lives of its members and to raise the standards of culture and community service in the area. It accomplishes this by presenting distinguished speakers and artists of the highest quality and national reputation. The Club’s programs, which are always available to the public at no cost, are arranged by eight departments: Art, Civics, Current Events, Drama, Education, History, Literature, and Music.