Clubhouse History
The Harvard Club of New York City was founded in 1865 by five Harvard graduates seeking to continue the fellowship of Cambridge. The Club had no permanent home for nearly 30 years. Rooms11west22street were rented in a variety of locations for meetings, the annual dinner was held at a restaurant, often Delmonico’s.
In 1890
In 1890 with over 500 members, a Building Committee was formed to purchase land and build a permanent Clubhouse. Money was raised by subscription throughout 1891-92. Two adjacent lots were found on West 44th Street which was then lined with horse stables. Charles F. McKim (Harvard Class of 1867), of the renowned architectural firm, McKim, Mead & White, was chosen to design “Harvard House.” McKim was well known to the Committee, having recently completed the very popular Johnston Gate at the western entrance to Harvard Yard, the Boston Public Library and the country homes of many Club members. A Club member, McKim declined to accept any payment. Finances limited the size which was a modest 50 x 50 foot three-story building, on the front half of the lots 27 & 29 West 44th Street. McKim presented a red brick and limestone building in a Georgian style, reminiscent of the older buildings at Harvard. The new Clubhouse opened in June 1894, furnished entirely with donations from members. It comprised a small grill room, reception and offices on the first floor, a spacious library on the second, and two small card rooms and a billiard room on the third. Annual dinners were still held outside the Club.
