Founded in 1873, the town of Seneca, South Carolina soon became a thriving community within Oconee County, and in 1896 the philanthropic "Once a Week Club" was created.
The Once a Week Club became an integral part of the social fabric of Seneca, and in fact still meets today. This historic organization is the mother of the South Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs.
Three members of the Ballenger family were devoted Once a Week Club members, and so in 1979 Mr. Woodfin “Monk” Richardson Ballenger, son of Grady Woodfin, and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth “Lib” Marett Ballenger, donated the home to the Seneca Woman’s Club to be used as a permanent meeting place for Seneca area clubs and by the community in general.
Seneca Woman’s Club was founded July 11, 1979 in response to the generous donation of The Ballenger House, with one of the primary objectives of the SWC being the maintenance and care of this fine historic home.