The Round Dozen Book Club was founded by women residents of Blacksburg, Virginia, on January 12, 1928. The club set forth its purpose in the minutes of its first meeting: "to try to derive some benefit from the meetings through interchange of thought, and discussion of current events and books." An informal organization, the club eventually settled on a schedule of meetings held on the second Thursday of each month, with the club year running from September to May. In 1932, the club voted to change its name to the Book Club; and in 1937, to the Thursday Book Club. The club maintained a membership of eight to fourteen members; among its earliest members were Mary Apperson, Charlotte Case, Nancy Elcan, Anna Ellett, Olivia Tutwiler Hill, Betty Hofmann, Jack Hoge, Ethlyne Hoilman, Julia Sanders, Peggy Taylor, Nina Waller, and Mildred Wingard. The Thursday Book Club continued to meet as late as 1968.