Elks Club Building (Manila) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elks Club Building |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Manila |
| Country | Philippines |
| Current tenants | Museo Pambata |
| Named for | Elks Club |
| Completed | 1949 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
The Elks Club Building in Manila, Philippines, used to be the meeting place for a group called the Manila Elks Club. This club is a special branch of an American organization known as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. It's one of only two Elks Clubs ever started outside the United States, with the other one being in Panama.
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History of the Elks Club Building
The Manila Elks Club was started after the Spanish–American War ended in 1898. This war led to the Philippines becoming a territory of the United States.
In 1901, some Americans living in Manila wanted to create an Elks Club there. They were looking for friendship and a sense of community. The main Elks organization in the United States approved their request in 1905.
Early Clubhouses
The first meeting place for the Elks Club was on Calle Victoria in Intramuros, Manila. In 1904, they moved to Calle San Luis.
In 1910, the club built its own permanent home. This building was designed to be similar to the nearby Manila Army and Navy Club. One building was for civilians (the Elks Club), and the other was for military members. The original Elks Club building opened in 1910 in the Ermita District of Manila. It was built in a style called Mission Revival, which looked like old California missions.
During World War II
From 1935 to 1940, the Elks Club building was used by the United States High Commissioner to the Philippines. This person was the top US official in the Philippines at the time.
In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces took over the Philippines. They went straight to the Elks Club and the Army and Navy Club. Almost 100 people from both clubs were taken and held in the Santo Tomas Internment Camp.
The first Elks Club building was badly damaged during the war. It was later completely destroyed.
Rebuilding and New Location
In February 1949, a new two-story building was built on the same spot. The Elks Lodge #761 opened this new Manila Elks Club building. It was located on what is now called Roxas Boulevard. The Elks Club used this building until the 1960s. The Philippine government later bought this building.
The Elks Lodge #761 Today
In the 1960s, the Elks Lodge #761 (the Manila Elks Club) moved out of its second building. This was because of rules about foreign groups owning property. They moved to a new place in Makati.
In 1977, the Elks Lodge #761 moved again. They bought a large space on the 7th floor of the Corinthian Plaza building in Makati, Metro Manila. They are still located there today. It is still known as "the American Club in the Philippines."
Museo Pambata: A Children's Museum
The second Manila Elks Club building, built in 1949, is now home to the Museo Pambata. This is a special museum just for children!
The museum was started in 1994 by Dr. Estefania Aldaba-Lim. She was an important person in the Philippine government and worked with UNICEF, which helps children around the world. She also founded a group at the Philippine Women's University that focused on human relationships.
See also
