If you’ve ever driven down Washington Street and noticed an old stone church with purple doors, you’ve seen the Naperville Woman’s Club clubhouse. NWC bought the church back in 1925 for $3,500 from the defunct German Evangelical church. While there is no evidence that the original doors were painted purple, since photos back then were black and white, it is suspected that sometime after purchase someone suggested painting the doors purple only because they thought they looked nice.
Purple has historical ties to women’s movements such as the suffragettes and is now used for causes like domestic violence awareness—representing strength and empowerment. So it was a natural choice for the club to adopt purple to complement their official white and gold colors. And purple is now the iconic color associated with the club and its brand and has become part of Naperville’s visual vocabulary appearing in visitor guides in addition to NWC promotional materials.
Along with the distinctive purple doors, the NWC clubhouse features stunning stained glass windows and hardwood floors. Over the years, NWC has received many offers to buy this building, but the women always turned it down—mostly for the fear that it would be destroyed—even though renovation and maintenance were costly.
NWC has been careful to keep the integrity of the structure as it is one of the last buildings made from the limestone quarry located downtown and is now officially a historic landmark. To help offset the cost of maintaining this landmark, NWC rents it out for meetings, weddings, showers, etc. when they aren’t holding their own meetings and programs.
To commemorate the 100-year anniversary of ownership, NWC commissioned a pastel of the clubhouse—complete with purple doors—by Marianne Lisson Kuhn, one of the artists from the NWC Fine Art and Artisan Fair.
On June 27-28, this year the NWC will host the 66th year for this longest running fair in the state. For more information including sponsorship or exhibiting visit nwcfineartfair.org. Or for NWC membership or clubhouse rental: napervillewomansclub.org.
On June 27-28, 2026, the NWC will mark its 66th year for hosting this longest running fair in the state. For more information including sponsorship or exhibiting visit nwcfineartfair.org.
Or for NWC membership or clubhouse rental: napervillewomansclub.org.
—Susan Stockton,
NWC VP Communications
and Public Relations
Naperville Landmark Has Been the Home to Naperville Woman’s Club for 100 Years
