Hasty Pudding Club facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hasty Pudding Club
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Former location of the Hasty Pudding Club at 12 Holyoke Street
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| Location | 45 Dunster Street Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Peabody and Stearns |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000442 |
| Added to NRHP | January 9. 1978 |
The Hasty Pudding Club, often called the Pudding, is a fun social club at Harvard University. It's part of a bigger group called the Hasty Pudding - Institute of 1770. The club's motto is Concordia Discors, which means "discordant harmony" in Latin. This phrase comes from the ancient Roman poet Horace.
The club usually says it was founded in 1795. That's when a group of college students decided to come together. They wanted to "cherish feelings of friendship and patriotism." Some also say the club started in 1770. This is because the Pudding later joined with another group from that year. Because of this, the Hasty Pudding Club claims to be the oldest college social club in the United States.
For a long time, the club was known as a very important group. Joining it was often seen as a first step to becoming part of other exclusive Harvard clubs. An old travel book from 1870 called the Hasty Pudding Club and the Porcellian Club "the two lions of Harvard." This shows how well-known they were.
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History of the Hasty Pudding Club
The Hasty Pudding Club officially began on September 1, 1795. A 15-year-old Harvard student named Horace Binney started it. He gathered 21 junior students in a room. The club got its name from "hasty pudding." This was a popular English dish in America at the time. The founding members ate it at their very first meeting. Each week, two members had to bring a pot of hasty pudding for everyone to enjoy.
From Mock Trials to Musicals
At first, the club held pretend court trials. These mock trials became more detailed over time. One day, a member named Lemuel Hayward secretly planned a musical. He was supposed to host the club's meeting that night. On December 13, 1844, Hayward and other members put on a show. They performed Bombastes Furioso in Hollis Hall. This performance marked the beginning of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
Joining Forces with Other Groups
Over the years, the Hasty Pudding Club has joined with other organizations. In 1924, it absorbed a group called the Institute of 1770, D.K.E. Later, in 2012, the Hasty Pudding Club, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, and The Harvard Krokodiloes all merged. They became one big group called The Hasty Pudding - Institute of 1770.
Life at the Hasty Pudding Club Today
The Hasty Pudding Club is special because it's the only social club at Harvard that includes both boys and girls. It also has members from all four years of college. Students can join the club by going to several lunches, parties, and other get-togethers. This process is often called the punch process.
The club holds its social events in its clubhouse. This building is located near Harvard Square. Activities include weekly Members' Nights and various dinner and cocktail parties. They also have fun, detailed theme parties, like one called Leather and Lace. The clubhouse has different rooms for specific uses. For example, The Arena is the club's game room. It has no windows or openings to the outside.
