The oldest fox hunting club west of the Mississippi River happens to be located in the Lakewood area and will be the subject of the May 19 meeting of the Lakewood Historical Society.
The Woodbrook Hunt Club was co-founded in 1926 by Maj. J. H. Mathews and Thornwood Estate superintendent Thomas Bryan. Local author and horseback riding enthusiast Joy Keniston-Longrie has written a book, published by Arcadia Publishing, about the club and will be the meeting speaker.
The book contains more than 200 black and white images and provides a fascinating look at the history of hunting and recreational riding on the southern prairies of Washington State.
Becky Huber, president of the historical society, said the monthly meeting will be held at the Lakewood Library starting at 7 pm. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge.
In addition to the author’s presentation, “History of the Woodbrook Hunt Club,” copies of the book will be available for purchase and personally autographed by Keniston-Longrie.
The establishment of Fort Lewis in 1917 has protected this unique prairie ecosystem, resulting in a longstanding partnership with the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Today the club continues its rich tradition on the last remaining three percent of native prairie in the Puget Sound Corridor.
