Somerset Club facts for kids
The Somerset Club is a special private club in Boston, Massachusetts. It first opened its doors to members in 1852. However, its history goes back even further, to groups that started around 1826.
This club is a meeting place for some of Boston's oldest and most well-known families, sometimes called "Boston Brahmins." These families were part of the upper class in New England. The Somerset Club is considered one of the four most important private clubs in the United States. The other three are the Knickerbocker Club in New York, the Metropolitan Club in Washington D.C., and the Pacific-Union Club in San Francisco.
The Club's Early Days
The Somerset Club started as a casual group without its own building. By the 1830s, this group became known as "the Temple" because they met on Temple Street.
In 1851, the group bought a house from Benjamin W. Crowninshield. This house was located at the corner of Beacon and Somerset Streets. At first, the club was called the Beacon Club. But in 1852, it was renamed the Somerset Club.
A New Home on Beacon Hill
In 1871, the Somerset Club bought a large house at 42 Beacon Street on Beacon Hill. This house was originally designed by Alexander Parris and built in 1819 for David Sears. Sears had made additions to the house in 1832. He also built the house next door, at 43 Beacon Street, for his daughter.
The land where these houses stand was once part of a large property. It was owned by a famous painter named John Singleton Copley. He called it "his farm on Beacon Street." Over time, the Somerset Club bought the house at 43 Beacon Street as well. They then connected the two houses to create one very large clubhouse.
A Fire at the Club
The Somerset Club is usually very private. But in 1945, it made news when a fire broke out. When firefighters arrived, they were asked to use the service entrance. This shows how important privacy was to the club, even during an emergency.
The club's website does not encourage people to ask about joining.
See also
- List of American gentlemen's clubs
- Boston Brahmins
