Metropolitan Club facts for kids
The clubhouse's Fifth Avenue facade
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| Formation | 1891 |
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| Type | Private social club |
| Location | |
| Website | metropolitanclubnyc.org |
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The Metropolitan Club of New York is a special private club located in the Upper East Side area of Manhattan, a part of New York City. It started in 1891 as a club mainly for men. However, it was one of the first big clubs in New York to also welcome women as members.
Contents
History of the Metropolitan Club
The Metropolitan Club was created in 1891 by a very famous banker named J. P. Morgan. He was also the club's first president. Interestingly, there was already another club with the same name nearby. The New York Times newspaper mentioned this on March 10, 1891.
Other important people who helped start the club included William Kissam Vanderbilt and James A. Roosevelt. Each of these early members, including families like the Vanderbilts and Whitneys, gave $5,000 to buy the land for the club.
The Clubhouse Building
The main building of the Metropolitan Club was finished in 1893. It was designed by famous architects called McKim, Mead & White. Later, in 1912, an east wing was added, designed by Ogden Codman Jr.
The clubhouse is located at 1 East 60th Street, right on the corner of Fifth Avenue. The land for the building was bought from the Duchess of Marlborough. Cornelius Vanderbilt II signed the purchase agreement for the club.
Club Rules and Dress Code
The Metropolitan Club has specific rules for its members and guests, especially about what to wear. This is called a dress code.
- For men: You must wear a jacket and a tie. Clothes like turtlenecks are not allowed.
- For ladies: You should wear dresses, skirts, or dressy pantsuits.
- What not to wear: Jeans, shorts, leggings, or T-shirts are never allowed in the club.
Also, using cell phones and laptops is not allowed in most parts of the club. You can only use them in private meeting rooms or bedrooms.
Activities at the Club
The Metropolitan Club has always been a big part of New York's social scene. It hosts many events, including:
- Fundraising events for good causes.
- Fancy parties, often requiring black tie attire.
- Different sports activities for members.
Who Are Some Famous Members?
Many well-known people have been members of the Metropolitan Club over the years.
Founding Members of the Club
- J. P. Morgan (1837–1913): A powerful banker and the club's founder.
- John Lambert Cadwalader (1836–1914): A respected lawyer.
- Robert Goelet (1841–1899): A person who developed a lot of real estate.
- James A. Roosevelt (1825–1898): A successful merchant.
- Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1843–1899): A leader in industry and a giver to charity.
- William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849–1920): Known for breeding horses.
- William Collins Whitney (1841–1904): A former United States Secretary of the Navy and a financier.
Other Important Members
- Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert (1861–1952): A famous architect.
- Edward Eugene Loomis (1864–1937): A leader in the railroad business.
- Levi Parsons Morton (1824–1920): He was a minister to France, a Vice President of the United States, and a governor of New York. He was also the second president of the Metropolitan Club.
- Larry Pressler (born 1942): A Republican politician who served in the United States Senate.
- Pippa Malmgren (born 1962): An expert in politics and policy.
- Ray Price (1930–2019): He was the main speechwriter for President Richard Nixon.
- Spruille Braden (1894–1978): A diplomat and businessman who was also a past president of the club.
- Walter Eli Clark (1869–1950): A journalist and newspaper publisher.
- William Astor Chanler (1867–1934): A soldier, explorer, and a Representative in the U.S. Congress.
- Woodbury Kane (1859–1905): A yachtsman and a member of Theodore Roosevelt's famous Rough Riders group.
See also
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 59th to 110th Streets
- List of traditional gentlemen's clubs in the United States
