A Long, Distinguished History

The Rotary Club of Wilmington was founded in 1914, an age when groups committed to social reform and social service were active in Wilmington. Among the 22 charter members, average age 41, were retailers, wholesalers, professionals, employees, homeowners, lodgers and one politician, the mayor of Wilmington. The first organizational meeting was held at the Hotel du Pont, where the club has met continuously to the present day.

On April 1, 1915, Rotary International granted the club its charter, making it the 148th club to join the world-wide organization that now numbers some 31,000 clubs. From its start, the club’s business and professional leaders have been dedicated to providing humanitarian service to its local community and extending throughout the world. Annual dues were $10.

The club grew steadily, with ups and downs in times of war and the Great Depression. Always one of RI’s larger clubs, its membership in 2008 totals more than 240 men and women from diverse professions, interests and abilities. It is one of 41 clubs that comprise Rotary International District 7630, covering all of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Engaging and thought-provoking programs highlight weekly meetings, evolving from those focusing on business and the economy to a broader spectrum. Topics include government, education, politics, social reform, health care, the arts and entertainment. Music has always played a key role at meetings. The theme song of Rotary International, R-O-T-A-R-Y, That Spells Rotary, was first written in 1923 by song leader Norris Morgan. In 2004-05, to salute RI’s Centennial, the club’s celebrated song leader, composer/conductor Evelyn Swensson, wrote new words for the song incorporating the goals of RI President Glenn E. Estess, Sr.

From the beginning, the club has encouraged and fostered the ideal of service, reaching out to the community with hands-on and financial support. In times of war, it has aided greatly in Civil Defense, and in times of economic hardship, it has provided financial assistance to those in need. In recent years, members responded generously through the Red Cross to help victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack and Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Awarding scholarships has always had a high priority, beginning with the Educational Loan Fund in 1924, and continuing today through generous contributions to the Rotary Scholarship Fund.

Members joined with the five other Greater Wilmington clubs that comprise Area 1 to develop and construct the Can-Do Playground designed for children of all abilities that opened in 2007. They mentor youth, stuff stockings for military personnel in Iraq, ring bells for the Salvation Army, and sell Christmas trees to benefit the Boys and Girls Club.

On an international level, the club generously supported RI’s program to eradicate polio in the world, participated in a project that led to the construction of a potable water system for a remote town in Guatemala, and supported the construction of a new girls’ school in Afghanistan.

The Rotary Club of Wilmington has an outstanding history, tradition and presence in the city of Wilmington.