The Musicians Club of Richmond was founded in 1916 by a group of 30 women musical artists, teachers, and patrons, and was modeled after an earlier music organizations, the Wednesday Club (1893). It was primarily a woman's organization, although men could join as "associate" members. Although it began as a relatively small club, it quickly grew and by 1937, had more than 1000 members, sponsored a yearly opera performance, and concerts by many international artists. The Musicians Club provided the support for the founding and growth of the Richmond Symphony. members maintained that the Richmond's Musician's Club was a civic, cultural, and philanthropic group, and in no way a commercial venture. Its mission was to promote music in Richmond, as well as the musicians themselves, local and well known. The club cultivated a basic love and appreciation of music in and around the city, and sponsored public and private concerts, for club members, general audiences, and for charitable organizations, such as the Crippled Children's Hospital, the City Home, and the Soldier's Home. The first president was Francis Deane Williams.