Down Town Association facts for kids
The Down Town Association (or DTA) is a special private club in the Financial District of New York City. It's located at 60 Pine Street in Manhattan. This club is one of the oldest private clubs in New York, started way back in 1859. It was also the very first private club to be formed in lower Manhattan.
The building you see today, opened in 1887, was the first club house in New York City built specifically for a private club. Before this, most clubs rented space in old homes or mansions.
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What is the Down Town Association?
The Down Town Association is a place where members can meet, socialize, and enjoy different activities. It started as a club mainly for men to have lunch. But since 1985, women have also been able to join.
Today, the DTA offers more than just lunch. Members can have breakfast, dinner, and attend special events in the evenings. There's even a gym on the top floor! It's one of the few private clubs still active in Lower Manhattan.
A Look at the Club's History
The idea for the Down Town Association began at a meeting on December 23, 1859. The club officially started on February 14, 1860. The State of New York gave it a special permission, called a charter, on April 17, 1860.
The club's current building opened its doors on May 23, 1887. It was designed by Charles C. Haight, who was also a member of the club. This building is a New York City landmark and is known for its Romanesque Revival architecture style. It's the oldest club house in New York that was built for and is still used by its members.
Over the years, the building has been updated. In 1902, the inside was changed from a Victorian style to an Edwardian style. A partial sixth floor was also added for things like a laundry and staff rooms. In 1911, an addition was built that included more private dining rooms and a beautiful reading room.
Inside the Clubhouse
When you enter the clubhouse on Pine Street, you'll find a lobby with marble details and a mosaic tiled floor. A unique cast iron staircase goes up four floors from the back of the lobby.
On the first floor, there's a large bar and lounge area, decorated with white oak wood. This is a main gathering spot for members.
Upstairs, on the second floor, you'll find the Reading Room, the Pine Street Room, and the larger Wainwright Room, which is now used as the club's ballroom.
The third floor has the A la Carte Dining Room, the Buffet Room, and the Babcock Room. The Babcock Room is named after Samuel D. Babcock, who was the club's third president.
On the fourth floor, there are six private dining rooms and the Game Room. The Game Room is now a special area for members, with pocket billiards tables, other game tables, a bar, and a collection of hunting trophies. There's also a fitness center on the fifth floor.
In the past, the club mainly focused on lunch service. The kitchen was on the fifth floor, and food was sent down using dumbwaiters. Now, with full-day service, some dining rooms have been changed for meetings, banquets, and the gym.
Famous Members
Many important business leaders and public figures from New York have been members of the Down Town Association. These members often came from legal and financial backgrounds.
Some very well-known members include:
- Franklin D. Roosevelt and Grover Cleveland: Both served as New York governors and later as U.S. presidents.
- Thomas E. Dewey: The 47th governor of New York.
- Wendell Willkie: A lawyer and businessman who ran for President in 1940.
- William J. Donovan: The first director of the Office of Strategic Services, an important U.S. intelligence agency.
- Gherardi Davis: A lawyer, author, and politician who was also a president of the club. He gave the club his large collection of silver.
The club's members have also included four U.S. Secretaries of State, five Attorneys General, one Secretary of Defense, and two Secretaries of War. Several members have also served as ambassadors to other countries.
See also
- List of American gentlemen's clubs