In the past, woman's clubs were a way for ladies to get out of the house, socialize with friends and help the community.

Now that more women are working and everyone is just busier in general, membership in woman's clubs is declining.

"When these organizations began, women were in the homes. It was a good way for them to get out and help the community," said Barbara Rickert, conservation department chairwoman of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in Pennsylvania and a member of the Hermitage Woman's Club. "Now women feel they can do whatever they want to do, and get paid for it."

Fifteen years ago, Mercer County had eight active clubs. Now just four remain -- Hermitage, Grove City and Stoneboro and a past presidents club.

Until recently, Mercer was also on that list. But this month the Mercer Woman's Club held its last meeting.

"Membership is declining rapidly, as all organizations are," said Eunice Thomas, honorary state president and member of the Hermitage Woman's Club. Mrs. Thomas cited lack of interest and unwillingness to pay for rising dues as reasons for the drop in membership.

For many years, Mrs. Thomas said, Pennsylvania led the nation in membership, but numbers started to decline in the mid-'80s.

At one time, the Mercer Woman's Club had more than 100 members, but now numbers 18.

"We thought maybe we could save the club if we had gotten three or four new members," said Vivian Moon, club president. Two members died last year and another moved.

The lack of members made it difficult for the club to continue its fund-raising efforts.

"We really don't have enough members anymore to work," said member Dorothy Hurtt. "We don't have enough people to man the booths (at events)."

"It's not the number," Mrs. Moon said. "Physically we are not able to raise the money."

So, the members decided to disband.

"We sent the state a note asking what else to do," Mrs. Moon said. "They told us, there's nothing else necessary."

After the club folds, its members have the option of being a "member-at-large," which means they may attend county meetings but not vote, or they can join another club.

Mrs. Moon said club members are in the midst of sorting through memorabilia. She said a book containing the club's history and meeting minutes are going to the Mercer County Historical Society. Members are taking some of the other items home.

"It would have been nice just to have been a social club, but we're not used to that," Mrs. Moon said. "We've always been willing to pay dues and support it. When you can't do that anymore it's sad."