Harvard Club of New York City facts for kids

Harvard Club of New York City
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Harvard Club of New York in March 2008
Location	27 West 44th Street, Manhattan, New York
Built	1894; 131 years ago (1894); enlarged in 1905, 1915 and 1989
Architect	Charles Follen McKim of McKim, Mead & White
Architectural style	Colonial Revival, neo-Georgian style
NRHP reference No.	80002693
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	March 28, 1980

The Harvard Club of New York City, often called The Harvard Club, is a private social club in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Only people who have studied at Harvard University, or are teachers or board members there, can join this club.

The club was officially started in 1887. It is located at 27 and 35 West 44th Street. The first part of the building was finished in 1894. It was designed in a red brick neo-Georgian style by architect Charles Follen McKim. He was part of the famous architecture firm McKim, Mead & White.

Club History and Design

The Harvard Club was first created in 1865 by a group of Harvard University graduates. At first, they didn't have a permanent home. In 1887, the club rented a townhouse on 22nd Street to use as their clubhouse.

Building a New Home

In 1888, the club bought land on 44th Street. They planned to build a brand new clubhouse there. This street later became known for having many university clubs. The Penn Club of New York and New York Yacht Club also built clubhouses nearby. Later, the Yale Club of New York City and Cornell Club of New York joined them on 44th Street.

The Harvard Club chose Charles Follen McKim to design their new building. He used a Georgian style for the design. The building was made with special Harvard brick and Indiana limestone. The front of the building, finished in 1894, looks similar to gates McKim, Mead & White designed for Harvard Yard in 1901.

The Harvard Club library

Adding More Space

The club building grew over time. In 1905, they added several new areas. These included Harvard Hall, the Grill Room, a new library, and a billiard room. They also added two floors of guest rooms for members.

In 1915, McKim, Mead & White made the building twice as big. They built the Main Dining Room and a bar. More guestrooms and banquet rooms were added. The club also got new sports facilities, including a swimming pool on the 7th floor.

The library reading area

In 2003, architects Davis Brody Bond added a large new section. This annex was 40,000 square feet. It was built on West 44th Street with limestone and big glass windows.

Allowing Women Members

For many years, the Harvard Club was only for men. In 1970, four female students from Harvard Business School tried to join. They were not allowed because of the club's rules.

Working for Change

That same year, two of the students, Ellen Marram and Lynn Salvage, asked the club president to allow women to join. Their request was turned down. In 1971, they started a campaign, writing letters to the new president, Albert H. Gordon.

A group of Harvard graduates who wanted women to join met with Gordon. He first said no to letting members vote on the issue. Another Harvard graduate, Marguerite "Mitzi" Filson, suggested they take legal action.

Legal Action and Votes

Marram, Salvage, and others prepared a complaint about unfair treatment based on gender. They planned to file it with the New York Commission on Human Rights. Because of this, Gordon agreed to let the members vote.

Before the vote, some Harvard graduates, including activist Brenda Feigen, sued the club. They wanted the club's liquor license taken away because of the gender rules.

On May 4, 1972, the club members voted. Most members (1,654 to 854) wanted women to be members. However, they needed two-thirds of the votes to change the rules. They were 18 votes short.

Success for Women Members

After this, Marram and her group filed their complaint with the New York Commission on Human Rights. The head of the commission, Eleanor Holmes Norton, wrote a strong letter against the club's rules.

After discussions with a judge, the club's leaders called for another vote. On January 11, 1973, the club voted again. This time, 2,097 members voted to admit women, and only 695 voted against it. This vote finally allowed women to become members of the Harvard Club.

Membership and Benefits

To become a member of the Harvard Club, you must have a degree from Harvard University. You can also be a tenured professor or a leader on a board or committee at the university.

The cost to be a member depends on your age and how close you live to the club. Like many private clubs, members of the Harvard Club can also use facilities at other clubs around the United States and the world. The building is sometimes used for business meetings and other events.

Famous Members

Many well-known people have been members of the Harvard Club, including:

• Michael Bloomberg, a former Mayor of New York City
• Richard Edelman
• John F. Kennedy, a former U.S. President
• Reginald Lewis, a successful businessman
• John Jay McKelvey Sr., who started the Harvard Law Review
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, a former U.S. President
• Theodore Roosevelt, a former U.S. President
• James Toback
• Frederick M. Warburg

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

The Harvard Club of New York Foundation gives money every year to help students. They support the Harvard College Financial Aid Program. This helps students pay for their education.

The foundation also has a scholarship fund that supports 20 students at Harvard College. They help graduate programs at Harvard University too. Plus, they give money to Harvard students who work in jobs that don't pay much, or are volunteer positions.

Gallery

• 

  The first Harvard Club of New York, a leased brownstone at 11 West 22nd Street

• 

  The Harvard Club of New York in 1894

• 

  The Harvard Club Library in 1894

• 

  The Harvard Club staircase in 1894

• 

  The 1894 Harvard clubhouse, designed by Charles F. McKim, in 1896

• 

  The Harvard Club's staircase in 1906

• 

  A 1920 view of the Harvard Club, with McKim, Mead & White's 1894 clubhouse (on right) and their 1915 addition to Harvard Club (on left)

See also

In Spanish: Harvard Club of New York para niños

• Harvard Club of Boston
• Harvard Club of Washington DC