Christiana Rotary - Club History

On January 15th, 1971, The Rotary Club of Kirkwood Highway was admitted to membership in Rotary International. The sponsors of this new Club were the Rotary Club of Wilmington West and the Rotary Club of Newark. There were 24 charter members, and weekly meetings were held on Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Red Barn Restaurant on Kirkwood Highway.

The territorial limits of the Club were defined as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of Pennsylvania State Line and Red Clay Creek, thence South on Red Clay Creek to White Clay Creek, thence East on White Clay Creek to Christiana River, Southerly on Christiana River to Salem Church Road, North on Salem Church Road to Ogletown Road, thence East on Ogletown Road to Red Mill Road, Northwesterly on Red Mill Road to Kirkwood Highway, West on Kirkwood Highway to the Northern city limits of Newark, following the Northern city limits of Newark to White Clay Creek, thence Northerly on White Clay Creek to Pennsylvania State Line, Northeasterly on Pennsylvania State Line to Red Clay Creek, the place of Beginning.

The officers and directors were Richard C. George, president, M. E. Prettyman, Jr., vice-president, James L. Pryor, Jr., secretary, Stephen J. Dinneen, treasurer, and James B. Webber, sergeant at arms, Willard O. Campbell, director, Robert Turner, director, Spencer Qualls, director, and Robert Dervaes, director.

The fee for becoming a new member of The Rotary Club of Kirkwood Highway was set at $20, and dues were $40 per year.

NAME CHANGE

On January 13, 1992, our Club made a formal request to Rotary International to change the Club's name to Rotary Club of Christiana. It was felt that the new name would be more representative of the area served. Then District Governor, Bernard Ableman, recommended the change of name, and it was approved by Rotary International.