Racquet and Tennis Club facts for kids
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Racquet and Tennis Club Building
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The Racquet and Tennis Club in 2012
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| Location | 370 Park Ave., New York City, U.S. |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | William S. Richardson of McKim, Mead and White |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001741 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 13, 1983 |
The Racquet and Tennis Club, often called the R&T, is a special private club in New York City. It's located at 370 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. This club is a place for social gatherings and sports.
Contents
A Look Back: The Club's History
The Racquet Court Club first started on April 28, 1875. It opened its doors on May 27, 1876, at 55 West 26th Street. This first club had two courts for a sport called racquets, an indoor running track, and two bowling alleys.
In 1890, this club joined with others to form the new Racquet and Tennis Club. They planned to build a tennis court. The club then moved to a bigger building in 1891 at 27 West 43rd Street. This second home had two racquets courts, one fives court, and one court tennis court. The club moved to its third and current location in 1918.
The Amazing Clubhouse Building
The R&T's current building was designed by William Symmes Richardson. He was a partner at a famous architecture firm called McKim, Mead, and White. The land for the building was offered by Robert Goelet, a club member.
Richardson had also helped design other important buildings like Pennsylvania Station. He suggested an Italian Renaissance style for the club. The club members approved his design in April 1916.
Why a New Location?
Moving to Park Avenue gave members more space and better facilities. It also provided more natural light for the sports courts, which had skylights. The new location was simply a more desirable spot in the city.
Construction started on December 20, 1916, and finished on April 15, 1918. The builder was Mark Edlitz, and the project cost about $500,000. Important people like financier Ogden Mills and sportsman Harry Payne Whitney were on the club's board at that time.
Inside the Clubhouse
The building is about 200 feet long and 100 feet wide, and it has five stories. Its outside is made of stone and brick, with a strong steel frame inside.
When it first opened, the club had three dining rooms, a billiard room, a library, and a lounge. It also featured a gym, a swimming pool, five squash courts, two court tennis courts, and two racquets courts.
Today, the club has four singles squash courts and one doubles squash court. It also has one racquets court and two court tennis courts. Many people consider these sports facilities to be among the best in the world.
A Landmark Building
The Racquet and Tennis Club building is a great example of the fancy private clubs built in New York City in the early 1900s. McKim, Mead and White, the architects, also designed other famous clubs like the Harvard Club of New York City.
This building plays an important role on Park Avenue. It stands out next to modern glass buildings like the Seagram Building and the Lever House. It shows a different style of architecture from the early 20th century.
The building was named a New York City Landmark in 1979. Then, on July 21, 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
In 1978, the club sold its "air rights" on Park Avenue. This allowed the Park Avenue Plaza skyscraper to be built right behind the club.
Squash at the R&T
Club members and professional players are very active in the sport of squash. The R&T has hosted many national and international squash competitions. The club's first squash championship was held way back in 1902.
Many R&T members have become U.S. Squash National Singles Champions. These include Palmer Dixon, Lawrence Pool, Herbert Rawlins, Stephen Vehslage, and Peter Briggs. Other members have won U.S. Squash National Doubles Championships. Some of these champions are Peter Briggs, Ralph Howe, and John Reese.
Ben Gould, a former Head Squash Professional at the club, was a World Squash Doubles Champion multiple times. He won in 2009, 2011, and 2013.
Squash Hall of Fame Members
Several club members have been honored by being chosen for the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame. These include Germain Glidden, William "Treddy" Ketcham, Ralph Howe, and Peter Briggs.
The very first college squash team match ever played happened at the Racquet and Tennis Club. It was on February 17, 1923, and Harvard beat Yale 4 matches to 1.
Court Tennis and Racquets Champions
The club's first racquets championship was played in 1876. The first court tennis championship followed in 1892. Since then, many club members and professionals have become national and world champions in both sports.
One of the most famous champions was Pierre Etchebaster. He was the Court Tennis World Champion for a very long time, from 1928 to 1954! Other R&T members who became Court Tennis World Champions include James Dear, Albert "Jack" Johnson, and Northrup Knox. Pete Bostwick, James Bostwick, and Wayne Davies also held this title.
Members like James Van Alen and Ogden Phipps have won many U.S. Amateur Court Tennis Championships. Club professional Neil Smith and James Dear were World Racquets Champions.
Tim Chisholm, who was a Head Professional at the club, won the World Court Tennis Doubles Champion title in 2001. James Stout has been a professional at the club since 2006. He was the World Racquets Champion from 2008 to 2019. He is currently the Head Racquets and Squash Professional at the club.
Backgammon: A Game of Strategy
The Racquet and Tennis Club played a big part in the history of the game backgammon. In 1931, Wheaton Vaughan, who led the club's Card and Backgammon Committee, invited people from other clubs. They worked together to create the official Laws of Backgammon.
These rules are still the basis for how backgammon is played today. They were published in a book by Charles Scribner's Sons. Backgammon is still a popular and active game at the club.
Membership at the Club
The R&T is a men-only club, similar to other clubs in Manhattan like the Knickerbocker. However, women are always welcome to visit the club for social events and to participate in sports activities.
See also
In Spanish: Racquet and Tennis Club para niños
