GFWC Alabama purchased Foster House in 1983 through the generosity of Members and GFWC funds.The building is used regularly for:
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Office Space
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Meeting Rooms
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Overnight Accommodations
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Archives Library
As a result of the generosity of Districts, Clubs, Members, Corporate Sponsors, and friends of GFWC, GFWC Alabama is proud of our State Headquarters, Foster House, a beautiful place where its Members can work and be served, have meetings, and enjoy festive social occasions.
Main Floor
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Large Foyer
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Living Room
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Solarium
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Dining Room
These are open and connecting to allow for comfortable gatherings.
The Breakfast Room and Spacious Kitchen provide for efficient serving of meals.
Second Floor
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Three Bedrooms
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Office
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Archives Library
These are furnished for small group meetings and can accommodate 10 for sleeping.
Foster House has two (2) Full Bathrooms and two (2) Half Baths.
Before GFWC Alabama
Foster House was built in 1913 for Dr. Sterling Foster, a Birmingham theologian who was a minister of South Highland Presbyterian Church.
The neighborhood was home to many of the city's prominent families, and the address on Niazuma Avenue was only a few blocks from Dr. Foster's church on Highlands Avenue.
Mrs. Foster was active in many Civic Organizations, including the Cadmean Circle, one of the Charter Clubs of GFWC Alabama.
The home was lively with three children - a son and two daughters. Sterling Jr. became a New Dealer under Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) and was a Democratic Party supporter in Alabama politics.
- Virginia Foster Durr
Virginia Foster Durr, the younger daughter, married Clifford Durr from Montgomery. Mr. Durr worked for the New Deal in the government of FDR but before moving to Washington, the couple resided in Foster House. "Outside the Magic Circle", Mrs. Durr's autobiography, records the years her family lived at this address on Niazuma Avenue.
Josephine Foster married Hugo Black in the living room of Foster House. Mr. Black, a young attorney, would later serve as a United States Senator and be appointed as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Hugo Black and his family lived at this residence during his senatorial campaigns.
The family sold the home in the 1940's and it has since served as the Redmont School and as Alethea House, a residential drug rehabilitation facility.
- Hugo & Josephine Foster Black
This GFWC Club was organized to help renovate, maintain, and promote the use of the GFWC Alabama State Headquarters.
Members have contributed outstanding gifts of money and numerous hours of volunteer service in meeting their goals.
Membership is open to anyone interested in furthering its purposes. The Club meets three (3) times per/year and the annual Membership dues are $35.
All funds raised and contributed through the Club are used to improve and enhance Foster House to effectively serve all state Members.
Foster House may be reserved for tours, meetings, and special social occasions with the sponsorship of a GFWC Alabama Member.
Contact Us for details.