Harvard Club of New York

Harvard Club of New York City
Location 27 W 44th St, Manhattan, New York City, New York
Coordinates 40°45′20″N 73°58′52″W / 40.75566°N 73.9812°W / 40.75566; -73.9812Coordinates: 40°45′20″N 73°58′52″W / 40.75566°N 73.9812°W / 40.75566; -73.9812
Built 1894, enlarged in 1905, 1915 and 1989[1]
Architect Charles Follen McKim of McKim, Mead & White
Architectural style Colonial Revival, neo-Georgian style
NRHP Reference # 80002693
Added to NRHP March 28, 1980[2]

The Harvard Club of New York is a private social club located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, USA. The club is the sole club in New York City whose membership is restricted almost entirely to alumni and faculty of one university, Harvard University (unlike other university-related clubs in New York City, which allow alumni from multiple schools to join).

Incorporated in 1887, it is housed in adjoining lots at 27 West 44th Street and 35 West 44th Street. The original wing, built in 1894, was designed in red brick neo-Georgian style by Charles Follen McKim of McKim, Mead & White.

History

Founded without a location in 1865, by a group of Harvard University alumni, the club first rented a townhouse on 22nd Street.[3] In 1888, the members acquired land on 44th Street. The clubhouse was established in the neighborhood where many of New York City's other clubs, such as the New York Yacht Club, were located, and across the street from the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York.

View of the library

The club selected architect Charles Follen McKim, of McKim, Mead & White, for the project. The design was Georgian style of architecture with Harvard brick and Indiana limestone. The building’s façade is reminiscent of the gates at Harvard Yard. In 1905, Harvard Hall, the Grill Room, a new library, a billiard room, and two floors of guest rooms were added.

In 1915, McKim, Mead & White doubled the building’s size by constructing the Main Dining Room, a bar, additional guestrooms, banquet rooms, and athletic facilities including a 7th floor swimming pool. In 2003, a new 40,000-square-feet contemporary glass and limestone building was added by Davis Brody Bond, under the direction of J. Max Bond, Jr.

The building is sometimes used for outside corporate events such as business conferences.[4]

Membership

Reading area

To be eligible for election to membership, a candidate must hold a degree or honorary degree from Harvard, be a tenured faculty member at the University, or serve as an officer, or member of any Board or Committee of the University. Dues levied are on a sliding scale, based on age and proximity to the Club. Like most private clubs, members of the Harvard Club are given reciprocal benefits at clubs around the United States and the world.[5]

Notable members

Philanthropy

The HCNY Foundation has a scholarship fund that helps support 20 undergraduates at Harvard College and several students in graduate programs, as well as international student exchange programs.

References

  1. ↑ "AIA Guide to New York City, 4th Edition, page 233
  2. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. ↑ "Official History". Harvard Club of New York.
  4. ↑ "The Decline of ‘Big Soda’". The New York Times. October 2, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Membership". Harvard Club of New York.
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