Mory's facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mory's
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Entrance to Mory's
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 306 York St., New Haven, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001552 |
| Added to NRHP | January 25, 2005 |
Mory's, also known as Mory's Temple Bar, is a private club near Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. It was founded in 1849. The club is located in a building that was once a private home. This home was built before 1817.
Mory's started as a restaurant. It was very welcoming to Yale students. It even let them pay later. In 1912, the original building was going to be torn down. A group of Yale graduates bought the business. They moved it to 306 York Street. They also changed it into a club for members.
After some tough times, Mory's closed in 2008. But Yale alumni and friends worked hard to save it. They raised money and made a new plan. Mory's reopened on August 25, 2010. The building itself was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Joining Mory's: Membership for Students and Alumni
Today, many people can join Mory's. This includes all Yale students and staff. Yale graduates (alumni) can also become members. People from the New Haven community with a Yale connection can join too.
In 1974, Mory's opened its doors to women. Before that, only men could be members. This change happened so the club could keep its license to serve drinks.
Yale students can join for a small fee. This fee covers all four years they are at Yale. Graduates living close by pay a yearly fee. Those living farther away pay a different yearly fee.
Fun Traditions at Mory's
Mory's has many special traditions. These traditions are very important to Yale students and graduates. They connect them to the club's long history.
The Whiffenpoofs: Yale's Famous Singers
The Whiffenpoofs are a famous singing group. They are made up of senior students from Yale. These students are chosen from other Yale singing groups. The Whiffenpoofs sing at Mory's every week. This usually happens on Monday evenings.
They often sing their famous "Whiffenpoof Song." This song mentions Mory's as "the place where Louis dwells." Louis was a past owner of the club. Famous singers like Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley have sung this song. Because of them, Mory's became well-known across the country.
The Spizzwinks: A Light-Hearted Group
In 1913, four young men met at Mory's. They wanted to create a fun singing group. It would be a less serious alternative to the Whiffenpoofs. They named their group the "Spizzwinks." This name came from a made-up creature. People jokingly blamed this creature for a plant disease in 1906.
Sharing Special Cups
Another tradition involves sharing special drinks. Groups of members gather to share these drinks. The drinks come in different colors and flavors. They are served in large silver cups. These cups look like old trophies with handles. Members pass the cups around the group.
There are many types of "Cups." Some are based on sparkling drinks. Others are based on different beverages. There is a special song sung when a cup is finished. The cups come in colors like red, gold, purple, blue, green, and velvet.
Carving on Tables
In the past, it was a tradition to carve on the dining tables. Members would carve their initials or names. The Whiffenpoofs even carved a special design on their table.
Yale Political Union Meetings
Since the mid-1900s, parts of the Yale Political Union have met at Mory's. The Yale Political Union is a group where students debate different ideas. While they don't always go to Mory's after debates anymore, the tradition of saying they "adjourn to Mory's" continues.
Many members of the Union also have lunch at Mory's. They often hold special toasting sessions there. Many famous people were once members of this club. These include John Kerry, Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Joe Lieberman.
Unique Menu Items
Mory's also has special food items. These unique dishes bring people back to the club. One is Baker Soup. It's a creamy soup with tomato and curry. It's served with croutons. Another special item is The Rabbit. This is a version of Welsh rarebit, a dish made with melted cheese.
Images for kids
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Mory's, circa 1914
